Bowen, Colorado facts for kids
Bowen was once a small town in Las Animas County, Colorado. Today, it is an extinct town, which means it no longer exists as a living community. People often call places like Bowen "ghost towns" because they are empty reminders of the past.
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What Happened to Bowen?
Bowen was a small settlement that eventually faded away. Many towns in the American West became ghost towns when the reasons people settled there disappeared. This could be because a mine closed, a railroad moved, or farming became too difficult. For Bowen, the exact reasons it became extinct are not fully known.
Where Was Bowen Located?
Bowen was located somewhere in Las Animas County, Colorado. This county is in the southeastern part of Colorado, known for its wide-open spaces and historical significance. While we know the county, the exact spot where Bowen once stood is a bit of a mystery. Even the GNIS, which is a huge database of places in the United States, doesn't know its precise location today.
Bowen's Short History
Bowen had a post office, which was a very important part of any town back then. A post office meant people could send and receive letters, which was their main way of communicating over long distances.
- The Bowen post office opened in 1906.
- It stayed open for over 20 years.
- The post office closed its doors in 1929.
When a town's post office closes, it's often a sign that the community is shrinking or that people are moving away.
Who Was Thomas F. Bowen?
The town of Bowen was named after a person named Thomas F. Bowen. He was a state legislator. A state legislator is a person elected by citizens to represent them in the state government. They help make laws for the state, decide how money is spent, and work on issues that affect everyone living there. Naming a town after a prominent person like a state legislator was a common way to honor them in the early 1900s.
