On County Route 28, 6 miles west of U.S. 385, on the right when traveling west.
When Jules Beni established his trading post here in the mid-1850's, he unknowingly set the stage for a series of four towns that would bear his name. Strategically located at the Upper California Crossing of the South Platte River, the first . . . — — Map (db m47346) HM
Gap-toothed and grumbling, the old windmill keeps vigil over the valley where a gravel road has replaced horse and wagon trails. The windmill is more than a machine - it symbolizes survival.The windmill grew up with the American West, supplying . . . — — Map (db m47343) HM
On East First Street (U.S. 385), on the left when traveling east.
Here on the Great Plains where the ramparts of the Rocky Mountains still lies some hours westward, the Mountain State welcomes you. This highway leads up the valley of the South Platte River to Denver. In 1859 and 1860 the gold rush carried . . . — — Map (db m100203) HM
On County Road 63.2 at County Road 36, on the right when traveling north on County Road 63.2.
This tablet is the
Property of the State of Colorado
——
The Organic Act creating the Territory of Colorado was signed by President Buchanan on February 26, 1861. The act carved from the territories of Kansas, Nebraska, Utah and . . . — — Map (db m119436) HM
From the eastern prairie to the Rocky Mountains and the western plateau country beyond, Colorado enjoys a rich abundance of wildlife. Protecting this heritage has been a challenge, and Colorado's success is due to the efforts and cooperation of . . . — — Map (db m47323) HM
On County Route 28, on the left when traveling west.
Devil’s Dive
This deep, rugged wash presented problems for stagecoaches.
Drivers of wagons usually circled to the south rather than take the time to hitch up double teams needed for passage through the wash. Ruts made by thousands of . . . — — Map (db m79877) HM
On 1st Street at Walnut Street, on the right when traveling east on 1st Street.
In the 1880's, a fourth Julesburg developed at the junction of the Transcontinental Railroad and the Denver Branch of the Union Pacific. Originally known as Denver Junction, the town was soon renamed Julesburg, presumably the last of Jules Beni's . . . — — Map (db m47367) HM
On County Route 28, 2.9 miles west of U.S. 385, on the right when traveling west.
Cheyenne, Arapaho and Sioux warriors burned the first Julesburg in early 1865. The second Julesburg was formed here, just outside the Fort Sedgwick Military Reservation. At its peak, the community included a store, blacksmith shop, billiards saloon, . . . — — Map (db m47340) HM
On County Route 28, 6 miles west of U.S. 385, on the right when traveling west.
The senseless slaughter of peaceful Cheyenne on November 29, 1864, at Sand Creek in Southeastern Colorado united the Cheyenne, Sioux and Arapaho Indians.Near here on January 7, 1865, a small band of Cheyenne Dog Soldiers attacked a stagecoach and . . . — — Map (db m47344) HM
On Interstate 76 at U.S. 385, on the right when traveling north on Interstate 76.
For thousands of years, these grasslands have supported tens of millions of buffalo, from the giant species of ancient times to the smaller version of today. As North America's largest land animal, buffalo dominated life on the Great Plains. In . . . — — Map (db m47319) HM
On 1st. Street at Walnut Street, on the right when traveling east on 1st. Street.
1. DePoorter Lakeis located off U.S. 385, just south of Julesburg. It offers fishing, picnic tables, restrooms and a wheelchair accessible pathway around the lake.2. Hippodrome Theatre is newly restored and a source of community pride. This . . . — — Map (db m47371) HM
On County Route 28, 6 miles west of U.S. 385, on the right when traveling west.
The Pony Express mail service between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California only lasted a short time in 1860-61, but its romantic image continues to captivate the hearts of the American public. In only 19 months, its riders covered over . . . — — Map (db m47347) HM
On County Route 28, 6 miles west of U.S. 385, on the right when traveling west.
Due North 1235 Feet is the Original Site of Old Julesburg, named for Jules Beni, whose trading post was established at the "Upper Crossing" of the Platte prior to 1860, junction of Oregon and Overland Trails. Pony Express Station, 1860-61. . . . — — Map (db m47348) HM
On County Route 28, 6 miles west of U.S. 385, on the right when traveling west.
Original home station Apr. 3, 1860 - Nov. 20, 1861Reverse "The Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Company" started using the Platte River route from Leavenworth, Kansas to Denver, Colorado by August of 1859. A new station was built here at the . . . — — Map (db m47350) HM
Near County Road 28, 0.2 miles west of U.S. 385, on the left when traveling west.
(left panel) The Pony Express route was used for a little more than 19 months from April 3, 1860 to November 20, 1861.
Those known and verified riders of the 1860-1861 Pony Express that used “Overland City” (first Julesburg) as . . . — — Map (db m130331) HM
The semi-arid plains are home to hundreds of wildlife species. but even species specialty adapted for life on the prairie need water to survive. The South Platte River and nearby State Wildlife Areas provide excellent habitat for a variety of wild . . . — — Map (db m47373) HM
Near County Highway 63.2 at County Highway 36, on the right when traveling north.
The Northeastern most county in Colorado was first Weld County, later Logan County and established in its own right April 9, 1889.
It consists of 554 square miles, incorporating 3 towns: The County Seat, Julesburg, Ovid and Sedgwick.
. . . — — Map (db m119437) HM
The first Pony Express trip between St. Joseph and San Francisco was 1943 miles. This first trip took 10 days. The Pony Express operated from April 3, 1860 to November 20, 1861. The trail was located 1100 feet North and Overland City was 6 miles . . . — — Map (db m47328) HM
Today Julesburg is a thriving agricultural center and the seat of Sedgwick County government. But the town was not always this successful. This modern-day community is the fourth to bear the name of "Julesburg."The First Julesburg began as a . . . — — Map (db m47366) HM
Near U.S. 138 near U.S. 385, on the left when traveling north.
Two panels are mounted on the same stand.
Transcontinental Railroad
The dream of uniting America by rail began its journey to reality in June 1865 when the Union Pacific Railroad Company started laying track westward from . . . — — Map (db m79878) HM
Colorado's vast plains, rugged mountains, and grand plateaus, so magnificent in their beauty and variety, seem at times to overshadow the state's history and people. But look closely. The story of Colorado is every bit as dramatic as the physical . . . — — Map (db m47324) HM
On Main Street at Morgan Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Main Street.
Known as the “Dinky,” this unit was owned and operated by the Great Western Sugar Co. from 1926 to 1985.
Its primary function was to shuttle rail cars of coal, lime-rock, beets and sugar in the Ovid factory yards.
Donated to the . . . — — Map (db m110323) HM
On U.S. 138 just east of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east.
Native American hunters on the trail of bison and other game found a favorite river crossing and campsite here where the South Platte River and Lodgepole Creek come together. After burning the first Julesburg in 1865, Indian raiders camped here . . . — — Map (db m47362) HM
On U.S. 138 just east of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east.
Established in September, 1864, as a United States Army Post. Called Camp Rankin and Post Julesburg Name changed in November 1865, to honor General John Sedgwick, who was killed at Spottsylvania May 9, 1864 The fort protected the stage line and . . . — — Map (db m47365) HM
On County Route 28, 0.3 miles west of River Road, on the right.
"We have no business to put men out here unless we give them food and shelter, and all things but sand and water must be hauled from 1 to 400 miles." Lt. Gen. William T. Sherman, Fort Sedgwick, August 1866Camp Rankin was established just . . . — — Map (db m47341) HM
On County Route 28, 0.3 miles west of River Road, on the right when traveling west.
Military records, diaries and letters of those who survived life at the post reveal a saga of fraud and corruption, bravery and daring-do...triumph and tragedy...where conditions were considered unlivable, pleasures were few and the nearest bath . . . — — Map (db m47342) HM
On Saunders Avenue (U.S. 138) at Main Street, on the left when traveling west on Saunders Avenue.
350 rods southeast of this site is the famous and hazardous Upper California Crossing of the South Platte River which was used by the intrepid riders of the Pony Express in 1860-1861. Ovid was incorporated at this site in 1925.
Erected in . . . — — Map (db m110329) HM
Prisoners on the Plains During World War II, a seasonal Prisoner of War Camp was located in Ovid. Nearly 400 German prisoners worked in nearby potato and sugar beet fields. Housing was provided in 40 tents and two large downtown buildings.Ride . . . — — Map (db m47361) HM
On Main Street just south of U.S. 138, on the right when traveling north.
Ovid, originally called "Morgan," began as a water stop on the Denver Line of the Union Pacific Railroad. A 1907 document approved a post office for the town under its new name.Jumbo Reservoir's 1906 completion created a controllable water supply so . . . — — Map (db m47359) HM
On U.S. 138 just east of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east.
Ovid experienced a tremendous boom in 1925 when the Great Western Sugar Company built a sugar beet processing plant here. The plant closed in 1985 after the owners went bankrupt speculating on the silver market.The "dinkey," a steam-powered . . . — — Map (db m47363) HM
