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Fremont Communities by Kenneth Wajda

Brookside: Formed to support the booming coal industry in the 1880's, Brookside has an interesting history. The area originally had a "no-saloon" edict in effect, but a half-acre of land was overlooked in the survey of the area. That half-acre, soon full of saloons and wild women, was called Hell's Half Acre. The nickel beer and free lunch at the Fremont Saloon was a particular favorite of movie actors filming the first westerns in the area, including the box-office star, Tom Mix. Today, the town is a residential area with few remnants of days gone by.

Canon City: The county seat of Fremont County, Cañon City (using the Spanish spelling of Canyon) is the home of the famous Royal Gorge-the "Grand Canyon of the Arkansas"-and the Royal Gorge Bridge, the world's highest suspension bridge that towers 1,053' above the Arkansas River. A temperate climate including a mild winter makes Canon City a desirable place to visit year round. Founded in 1859, Canon City's downtown is on the National Historic Register and features many shops, restaurants, boutiques, cafés, a classic movie theatre, arts, live entertainment and antiques. Other area features include dinosaur tracks, hiking and biking trails, scenic drives and world-class river rafting and climbing.

Coaldale: First called Palmer in 1881, then Hendricks, this town was finally renamed Coaldale after it became a busy coal town in the mid-1880's. Now a small ranching settlement that stretches along the Arkansas River, this town has a commanding view of 13,105' Bushnell Peak and 12,851' Mt. Otto. It also has an access road to the national forest at Hayden Creek and the Rainbow Trail that circumvents the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rockies.

Cotopaxi: Cotopaxi is a quaint town named after the Cotopaxi Lode which was filed by prospector Henry (Gold Tom) Thomas in the 1880's. He was shot dead in a real wild west shootout at the town's store. Situated on the Arkansas River, the town has a general store where everybody meets, greets, eats and the people quickly come to know your name. Fly fishing and wildlife viewing are popular in this scenic town.

Florence: Named after the daughter of pioneer and settler James McCandless, Florence is a little town with a big heart and lots of activity. The town features over a dozen antique shops and co-ops and has become a favorite weekend destination for many Denver-ites looking to go treasure hunting for valuable finds. You'll find plenty of dining here, everything from basic breakfasts and hot dogs to fine Italian fare and Cajun seafood. It's the home of the historic Rialto Theatre, an elegant, old vaudeville house that's been restored and now is home to the Fremont Civic Theatre, the oldest civic theatre in the country. It also has several art galleries and working artist studios where you can watch potters work their spinning wheels, painters daubing paint or even see one artist's incredible creations in crayon.

Howard: An attractive little river town that lies in an area known as Pleasant Valley, the town is named for pioneer John Howard who settled in Howard Creek in the 1880's. The town has been home to many farmers and ranchers and provides commanding views of the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rockies. It's located through the canyon between Cañon City and Salida.

Parkdale: Situated on the northwest side of the Royal Gorge, this quiet town has lots of open space and commanding views of the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains, especially at sunrise when the sun first bathes the towering peaks in soft pink light. The back road to the Royal Gorge is a fun drive through a quiet, undeveloped area that feels like a journey back in time.

Penrose: Founded by Spencer Penrose in 1908, Penrose is a quiet community that sits along Beaver Creek. In the pioneering days, many farmers planted apple and cherry orchards and today, one of the biggest celebrations in the area is Penrose's Apple Day held each fall. A secret gem northwest of town, tucked back off the main highway, is Brush Hollow Reservoir, a manmade lake that offers fishing, boating and picnicking. There are several restaurants that serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and a gourmet coffee shop to start your day right.

Rockvale: Formed as a coal town in the 1880's, it is said to be named by Benjamin Rockafellow after the town of Rockvale, Maryland. As the demand for coal continued to increase and the town quickly grew. The underground mines were connected by an air course, so miners could walk underground from the Coal Creek mine to Rockvale. During Prohibition, Rockvale was home to The Gold Nugget, a high-class joint that featured music, a nightly floor show and back rooms for gambling. Today, it's a quiet residential community with spectacular views of the Wet Mountains.

Swissvale: In the 1880's, Swissvale was a railroad stop on the Arkansas River near the border of Chafee County with no town, no community. Its name was headed for oblivion when new residents purchased a café, a filling station and four dilapidated cabins in the 1960's. Today, it's a stop along the route from Canon City to Salida.

Texas Creek: A favorite spot for fly fishing and ATVing, the area around Texas Creek is also a great place to go to view wildlife. On the rocks in the first half-mile to the east and west of Rt. 69 (which heads south out of town), mountain goats and bighorn sheep are often seen hoofing along. The town was named by a Texas cattle rancher who had a herd of fifty longhorns stampeded one night by the unfamiliar sound of a screeching mountain lion.

Williamsburg: Another town that sprouted up in the 1880's in support of the growing coal industry, Williamsburg was known for its diverse cultural makeup including people of Welsh, English, Irish, German and Scottish descent. There was even a section of the town called Little Italy. The residential town boasts vistas of the Wet Mountains and Spanish Peaks.

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