A Modern Look At An Old Town – Arriba Colorado

During the year 2009, my brother and sister in law took a road trip east, moving through several states and several small communities along the way. I had asked them, as they prepared for their trip, if they were planning on going through Colorado. To my great surprise they were, but when I mentioned maybe they could swing through Arriba Colorado, and look around a little for me, they weren’t sure they would be that close.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Arriba-Colorado.html

I gave them the maps for that part of Colorado and a little history that I had learned about this little town out in the middle of nowhere in Lincoln County Colorado. As it turned out they had stopped for a night in an area not to far from Arriba, and decided they would take that extra day and an extra excursion, just so they could take pictures and nose around for me.

Arriba is significant to me because our Great Great Grandparents spent their last years in that little town. They were Peleg and Phebe (Morse) Mumford, 3 of their daughters moved along with them, one marring Charles Creel the founder of Arriba, the other married Henry J. Blackwood.

All are buried in one spot near the front of the Arriba Cemetery.

Arriba Colorado

So it turns out that as they made their way around this old town they bumped into quite a few friendly people, that were very happy to show them around. One such resident was Bob Coulson,

and he just so happened to be the person that takes care of the Arriba Museum. He was more than happy to take Steve and Fran all around town showing them the sites. Ok so it was a short ride, but it did end up at the Museum.

A tiny sod house that is filled to the brim with nostalgia.

Bob was a gracious host, and very knowledgeable about his community, and proud to share it with his visitors from California, and with me, Thanks Bob. Here’s a link to more information about Arriba Colorado.

http://www.ourjourney.info/MyJourneyDestinations/ArribaMuseum.asp

When Steve and Fran arrived in town, the first person they met was Pat Price along with husband Kurt and daughter Eliana. They were out that morning taking care of the church grounds, when they drove up to ask for some information about the town. Pat and I had spoke together years before, somehow she remember the Fletcher name and that sparked up a friendship as if they were old friends.

I hope someday that I’ll get to make that trip myself, I hope it will happen soon. Until then thanks to the residents of Arriba, for welcoming my brother and his wife, and for going out of your way to make us feel at home.

Earl & Mary Ann Saffer:

January 23, 2010 at 8:13 AM

This is great! Nice work. I notice that this is just the Fletcher family. I assume you will be adding many other families as you go. (like the Lucore’s, etc.)

Take Care!
Earl & Mary Ann