Atchee, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Atchee
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 Atchee
Location in Colorado
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| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| Country | Garfield County |
Atchee is a fascinating ghost town located in Garfield County, Colorado. It used to be a busy railroad village, a special kind of town called a "company town." The Gilsonite Company owned Atchee, and it was an important stop for shopping along the Uintah Railway. This railway was a "narrow-gauge" line, meaning its tracks were closer together than regular train tracks. It helped transport goods from mines in nearby Utah. When the railway was taken apart, the town's population quickly disappeared. By 1938, only 27 people who could vote lived there, and by 1940, there were only two!
Contents
Life in Atchee: A Company Town Story
Atchee was known as a "company town." This means that almost everyone living there worked for the Gilsonite Company. The company owned most of the houses and businesses.
Modern Comforts in a Remote Town
Even though Atchee was a small, remote town, it had some modern features. The houses were quite comfortable for their time. They had running water and even steam heating. The town also had electricity, which was a big deal back then.
Atchee: Never an Official Town
Interestingly, Atchee was never an "incorporated town." This means it didn't have its own official local government. Instead, it was managed by the Gilsonite Company.
The Uintah Railway: Atchee's Lifeline
The Uintah Railway was incredibly important to Atchee. It was like the town's lifeline. When the railway was eventually taken apart, the town's population dropped very quickly. This is what caused Atchee to become a ghost town.
Where the Tracks Led
The railway line stretched from Mack, Colorado, all the way to Watson, Utah. There was also a special side track, called a spur, that went from Watson to the Rainbow Mine in Utah. This railway helped move important materials and goods.
Special Trains for Students
During the summer months, the Uintah Railway even ran special trains. These trains were for students from the Colorado School of Mines. It shows how important the railway was for connecting people and places.
