Story by Barbara Torke

HIGHWAY 65, THE SCENIC BY-WAY off Grand Mesa, views Surface Creek Valley spreading out below in orchards, fields, and hamlets. Orchards filled the valley in the last century. Twenty-one coal mines operated in the west section of canyons and to the east of town. Fishermen caught trout from the 300 lakes on Grand Mesa for the burgeoning restaurant market in Denver. Fruit packing plants and orchards employed many residents. Cattle trekked onto the mesa in the spring.

Since the 1950s the coal mines have left Cedaredge. The orchards no longer stretch the length of the valley. Peaches and apples grow with current farming methods. Tourism and recreation opportunities are growing. Retirees like the small town atmosphere, the ample shopping, the climate, and a challenging golf course. The 1919 high school building is now the junior high and houses community classrooms. Cattle still have priority on the roads. Cowboys, some on ATV’s and some horseback, still give us a view of western history as we watch them ramble past. Orchard workers still hand-pick perfect apples.

Two packing sheds have found new life. Stolte Shed is maintained by the Cedaredge Historical Society, as is Pioneer Town. A school house, depot, saloon, and doll house have been relocated there as have the Blacksmith shop and the silos of the Bar-I Ranch. Stolte Shed hosts community events, and the Chapel of the Cross hosts weddings and concerts.

The Apple Shed, an apple packing plant in its former life, still straddles the cooling spring of years ago, but now it is remodeled and expanded, for shopping of home decor, deli, and art.

Art has become a destination stop in Cedaredge. Munson’s Main Street Gallery celebrates a twentieth anniversary in 2007, and is part of our Regional Art Tour, which also includes The Apple Shed, Cedars Edge Gallery, and the Daphna Russell Studio.

Little Britches Rodeo brings the real west back in July. It is the original rodeo for youngsters. October is Apple Fest. The festival, with booths, the Golden Gala, and other activities, celebrates the apple industry.

2007 is the Centennial of Cedaredge. From the original Bar-I Cattle Ranch, and subsequent post office of the late 1800s, it has grown to a town of approximately 2,300 people. The city was officially incorporated March 25, 1907. A centennial coin, postmark, and an art show sponsored by the Delta Fine Arts, are some commemorative events. Historical and current activities in the park, including an ice cream social and music in the new bandstand, demonstrate how Cedaredge has grown with its history intact. It is still the gateway to the Grand Mesa, and thriving.

www.cedaredgecolorado.com

Photos

While orchards and produce once formed the backbone of Cedaredge’s economy (top right), tourism now fuels it. (Munson’s Gallery, center). Going to school by bus hasn’t changed much—only the type of bus! (Note the tire chains). Historic photos, courtesy Cedaredge Historic Society. Munson photo  © James Burke for SJPG.