Old Colorado City in Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Town of Romana
Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 6, 2026
1. The Town of Romana Marker
As the Temperance Movement swept across the country, the residents of Colorado City voted to "go dry" in 1913. The Women's Christian Temperance Union and others worked to ban liquor because they believed that their husbands, fathers, and neighbors had fallen "victim to the evils of alcohol."
However, some locals disagreed and in August of 1913 they incorporated the town of Ramona on a few acres of land north of Colorado City. There they opened businesses including beer halls, a "sporting house" or brothel, a pool hall, the Ramona Athletic Club, and the upscale Heidelberg Inn.
The new town of Ramona briefly flourished and business was good. The Ramona Athletic Club held boxing matches that drew swarms of spectators. A young Jack Dempsey had a professional fight in Ramona on August 17, 1914, long before he became Heavy Weight Champion of the World.
After Colorado "went dry" in 1916, and the 18th Amendment made prohibition the law of the land in 1920, Ramona lingered on in name only - it's rough and rowdy nights now just a memory. The residents of Ramona voted 46-4 to disincorporate in 1947, ending a fascinating
this page online
Erected 2025 by The Old Colorado City Historical Society and The El Paso County Pioneers Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Sports. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1913.
Location. 38° 50.98′ N, 104° 51.452′ W. Marker is in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in El Paso County. It is in Old Colorado City. It is at the intersection of West Uintah Street and North 24th Street, on the right when traveling west on West Uintah Street. Located at Thorndale Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2310 W Uintah St, Colorado Springs CO 80904, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range and in Pikes Peak Region. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comancherνa.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Carnegie Library
Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 6, 2026
2. The Town of Romana Marker
View of marker towards intersection of W 24th Street.
Also see . . . New effort to preserve history of Colorado town founded on alcohol. (Submitted on July 6, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 6, 2026
3. The Town of Romana Marker
Looking into Thorndale Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 6, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
