Husted, Colorado was a railroad town established in 1871 during the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad construction. Named after Calvin Husted, who built essential sawmills, the community thrived on ranching, lumber, and rail commerce. The town declined after its post office closed in 1920 and helper engines were removed. Today, you’ll find only the Reynolds Ranch House standing as evidence of this once-bustling community. The hidden stories of this El Paso County ghost town reveal America’s changing transportation landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Husted emerged in 1871 due to Denver & Rio Grande Railroad construction and was named after Calvin Husted, a New Jersey settler.
- The town flourished through ranching, lumber harvesting, and railroad commerce before declining when the post office closed in 1920.
- By 1941, Husted’s population had dwindled to just six people following the removal of helper engines in the 1920s.
- Reynolds Ranch House remains the only surviving structure from Husted’s heyday, reflecting the town’s frontier history.
- Access to Husted’s remnants is limited as they exist primarily on private property with minimal preservation efforts.
The Railroad Roots of Husted’s Founding
When General Palmer’s Denver & Rio Grande Railroad began cutting through the rugged Colorado landscape in October 1871, it transformed a fledgling settlement into the bustling community of Husted.
Named after Calvin Husted, a New Jersey settler who arrived in 1859, the town’s destiny was forged by steel rails and timber production. Calvin established sawmills around 1866-1868 near what became West Husted, providing the foundation for community growth.
A New Jersey pioneer’s sawmills and the railroad’s iron path shaped Husted’s frontier identity.
The railroad’s strategic route along Monument Creek positioned Husted as a crucial stop, complete with a roundhouse for “helper” engines that tackled nearby steep grades. Like many western railroads, Husted faced significant construction challenges due to the mountainous terrain.
The abundant timber from the adjacent Black Forest (“the Pinery”) made Husted indispensable for railroad expansion, supplying ties for tracks and fuel for wood-burning locomotives that powered America’s westward growth. The town ultimately faced decline with the post office closing in October 15, 1920 and the population dwindling to just six residents by 1941.
Life in a Late 19th Century Ranching Community
If you’d visited Husted in the late 1800s, you’d have witnessed ranch operations dramatically shifting with the seasons—spring calving, summer grazing, fall roundups, and winter survival preparations marked the annual cycle.
Women’s roles extended far beyond domestic duties, as they maintained vegetable gardens, preserved food for harsh winters, managed poultry, and often handled ranch accounts while men worked livestock.
During the brutal winter of 1886-1887, these daily responsibilities intensified as wives and daughters helped struggling ranchers salvage remaining cattle and maintain household operations amid devastating blizzards that reshaped the economic landscape.
Social gatherings provided critical relief from isolation, with residents organizing community events similar to those that brought together mining town inhabitants during difficult times.
Reynolds Ranch House stands as the sole remaining structure from the once-thriving ghost town of Husted, which had completely disappeared by the 1940s.
Seasonal Ranch Operations
The rhythm of life in Husted’s ranching community followed four distinct seasonal cycles, each demanding specialized operations to maintain successful cattle production.
Your ancestors mastered cattle management through these natural rhythms, allowing herds to roam open ranges with minimal supervision between intensive work periods.
Spring and fall round-ups formed the backbone of ranching techniques. Spring operations began in late March through April, lasting up to eight weeks, while September marked the fall gathering for market preparation.
Between these significant periods, you would:
- Tend to infirm cattle and maintain ranch infrastructure
- Build and repair irrigation systems
- Break and train horses for future work
- Engage in social gatherings to combat isolation
Women faced considerable challenges during these seasonal cycles, with winter isolation making daily life particularly difficult as men were often away from home for extended periods.
The harsh winters of the mid-1880s brought devastating losses to many ranching operations, forcing cattlemen to develop more resilient management practices to protect their herds.
This freedom-centered lifestyle ended with the 1930s closure of open ranges, marking the shift away from traditional seasonal ranching practices.
Women’s Daily Roles
Women’s lives in Husted’s ranching community revolved around an endless cycle of essential domestic labor that sustained both family and ranch operations. Your daily chores began before sunrise—cooking hearty meals for family and ranch hands, hand-washing laundry on washboards, and preserving food through canning and drying to guarantee winter supplies.
Beyond homemaking, you’d shoulder significant agricultural responsibilities: tending gardens, milking cows daily, collecting eggs, and often assisting with animal births. When haying season arrived, women would operate hay rakes while still managing their domestic duties. Unlike most women of the era, some exceptional figures like Marie Scott built cattle empires almost single-handedly in this male-dominated industry.
Childcare responsibilities never ceased; in isolated settings, you served as primary caregiver, teacher, and medical provider for your children.
Community connections provided rare respite from isolation. You’d exchange goods with neighbors, host travelers, and participate in infrequent social gatherings that strengthened the social fabric binding Husted’s scattered ranching families together through harsh Colorado seasons.
Economic Activities and Local Industries
Colorado’s ghost town of Husted thrived economically through several interconnected industries that formed the backbone of local commerce.
Positioned strategically along the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, the town became a hub for transporting goods despite agricultural challenges and occasional lumber shortages.
The town’s economic significance centered around:
Husted’s economy revolved around ranching, lumber harvesting, railroad commerce, and postal services.
- Ranching operations that supplied livestock and agricultural products to regional markets
- Lumber businesses harvesting from surrounding forests for construction and fuel needs
- Railroad-facilitated commerce that connected local producers to broader markets
- The post office (1878-1920) that served as a critical commercial and communication center
Similar to the silica brick manufacturing that once drove Roxboro’s economy, Husted relied heavily on its industrial activities to sustain the community.
Like St. Elmo, whose economy was substantially boosted by the arrival of the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad in 1880, Husted’s commercial activities were tied to railway transportation.
When railroad activity diminished and the post office closed in 1920, Husted’s economic foundation crumbled.
The once-bustling town gradually lost its industries, leading to its eventual abandonment and ghost town status.
Notable Buildings and Town Layout
Nestled along the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, Husted’s town layout featured a practical design that prioritized railway access while accommodating the mountainous terrain of Colorado’s Front Range region.
You’d find the post office at the heart of town, serving as the administrative center for over four decades until its closure in 1920.
The town’s architectural styles reflected frontier pragmatism, with residential structures built to withstand mountain climate conditions using locally available materials.
Commercial buildings lined the railway, serving both residents and travelers passing through on the Denver and Rio Grande Western line.
The settlement’s layout followed the natural topography at 38°59′28″N 104°49′59″W, with buildings strategically positioned to maximize accessibility while adapting to the challenging elevation and terrain of El Paso County.
The Decline Years: When Husted Began to Empty
You’ll find Husted’s decline firmly rooted in economic ripple effects that began with shifting industry demands and dwindling railroad commerce.
The devastating impact of railroad re-routes around 1910 severed the town’s commercial lifeline, causing businesses to shutter and residents to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Between 1910-1920, the final exodus accelerated dramatically, culminating in the closure of the post office in 1920—a definitive marker of Husted’s transformation from thriving settlement to ghost town.
Economic Ripple Effects
As mining operations surrounding Husted faltered in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the town experienced devastating economic ripple effects that would ultimately seal its fate.
The economic impacts weren’t limited to just the mines – they crushed the entire ecosystem of commerce and community.
You’d have witnessed:
- Businesses closing in rapid succession as customer bases evaporated
- Transportation networks deteriorating with reduced maintenance and funding
- Essential services like schools and postal delivery becoming unsustainable
- Skilled labor exodus as families sought opportunities elsewhere
This community displacement created a self-reinforcing cycle – fewer people meant fewer services, which drove more people away.
Without economic diversification to replace mining’s central role, Husted followed the common trajectory of Colorado ghost towns, where once-thriving settlements returned to wilderness in less than a decade.
Railroad Re-routes Disaster
While the mining decline weakened Husted’s economic foundation, the railroad developments struck the fatal blow that would empty the once-thriving settlement.
By the late 1870s, you’d have witnessed intense railroad competition reshaping the region. The AT&SF’s lease of the Palmer road triggered operational changes that marginalized Husted.
When the Santa Fe constructed a competing parallel track from Pueblo to Denver in 1887, Husted’s strategic importance diminished further.
Perhaps most devastating was the 1920s removal of helper engines from West Husted. As locomotive technology improved, the once-essential roundhouse and turntable facility became obsolete.
Jobs disappeared. Without the economic engine of railroad employment, families moved away.
The derailments and accidents, including the notable 1909 head-on collision, only accelerated these changes, pushing railroad companies to seek safer, more efficient routes that bypassed Husted completely.
1910-1920: Final Exodus
The early twentieth century marked Husted’s terminal decline, transforming it from a modest but functioning settlement into a hollow shell of its former self. The final exodus accelerated after 1910 as economic opportunities vanished and infrastructure crumbled. Census data reveals the population’s precipitous drop, with families seeking livelihoods elsewhere.
Four key factors sealed Husted’s fate:
- Railroad activity diminished, undermining the town’s economic foundation
- Limited industry diversification left no fallback when primary sectors collapsed
- Young residents departed for education and employment in growing urban centers
- Post office closure in 1920 severed crucial communication links
The post office’s shuttering on October 15, 1920, officially ended Husted’s existence as a functioning community.
What remained wasn’t a town but a community legacy—abandoned buildings standing as silent witnesses to freedom-seeking pioneers.
What Remains Today: Exploring the Ghost Town
Scattered throughout the foothills surrounding Husted, weathered remnants of frontier life stand as silent witnesses to Colorado’s boom-and-bust past.
When exploring remnants of this forgotten settlement, you’ll encounter abandoned wooden structures and the occasional larger building that once served as the community’s economic backbone.
The town sits against a backdrop of stunning mountain vistas, where hawks soar overhead and pronghorn graze nearby.
Interpretive signs guide your journey, detailing the stories behind specific buildings and their former occupants. For ghost town photography enthusiasts, the contrast between weathered timber and seasonal wildflowers creates compelling compositions.
You can access most areas by car, though some require hiking.
Remember that many structures remain privately owned – respect boundaries and capture these disappearing historical treasures responsibly.
Historical Significance in El Paso County
Husted’s weathered remains tell only part of its story—beneath the visible ruins lies a rich historical narrative central to El Paso County’s development.
This once-vibrant railroad town exemplifies the shift from frontier outpost to structured community amidst early conflicts with indigenous peoples.
Within El Paso County’s evolution, Husted served as:
- A vital transportation hub connecting Denver to Colorado Springs via the D&RG Railroad
- An economic centerpiece supporting regional ranching and lumber industries until the 1920s
- A microcosm of community dynamics reflecting broader settlement patterns across the county
- A reflection of the volatile nature of boom-and-bust cycles common in Colorado’s development
You’ll find Husted’s story mirrored in many ghost towns across the region—casualties of changing transportation networks and depleted resources that once drove their prosperity.
Preservation Efforts and Visiting Information
Despite limited formal preservation efforts, what remains of Husted today exists primarily on private property with restricted public access.
Unlike other Colorado ghost towns that have received historical designation or restoration funding, Husted faces ongoing preservation challenges due to its location and private ownership status.
Husted stands abandoned without the protection that preserves its ghost town cousins across Colorado’s historic landscape.
If you’re planning to explore this forgotten railroad stop, you’ll need to respect property boundaries and obtain permission before visiting any remnants.
No official tourism infrastructure exists, making research beforehand essential. Your best approach is contacting local historical societies in El Paso County who may facilitate limited access with landowner coordination.
Photography from public roads remains your most accessible option, though distant views offer limited perspective.
True ghost town enthusiasts often find that documentation and historical records provide more substantial connections to Husted than physical visits allow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were Any Notable Outlaws or Gunfights Associated With Husted?
No, you won’t find outlaw legends or gunfight history connected to Husted. Historical records show no documented evidence of notable outlaws operating from this small railroad settlement.
Did Husted Experience Any Major Natural Disasters?
You’ll find no documented major natural disasters in Husted’s records, though the town likely endured typical Front Range weather extremes that impacted its railroad infrastructure and contributed to its historical decline.
What Indigenous Peoples Originally Inhabited the Husted Area?
Like ancient guardians of the mountains, the Ute Tribe originally inhabited Husted’s lands. You’ll find their hunter-gatherer traditions dominated the region before Arapaho Culture later established presence in Colorado’s eastern plains.
Were Any Movies or Television Shows Filmed in Husted?
No documented film history exists for Husted. Despite rumors of ghost sightings attracting paranormal enthusiasts, you won’t find evidence of any movies or TV shows being filmed in this forgotten location.
Did Husted Have Its Own Newspaper or Postal Service?
Like empty mailboxes standing sentinel, Husted’s history reveals no evidence of its own newspaper or postal service. Research indicates the town’s limited economy couldn’t sustain these civic institutions. You’d have relied on nearby communities.
References
- https://kids.kiddle.co/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Colorado
- https://www.uncovercolorado.com/ghost-towns/
- https://ghosttownmuseum.com/our-story/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Colorado
- https://www.coloradolifemagazine.com/printpage/post/index/id/172
- https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-ghost-towns
- https://sunhillsestates.org/history-community-links/
- https://historyredstone.org/vintage-valley/crystal-valley-railroads/
- https://75bestalive.org/history pages/history_beforeusafa/history_communities.html
- https://history.denverlibrary.org/sites/history/files/RealPioneersColorado.pdf
