Cameo, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cameo, Colorado
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 Cameo, Colorado
Location in Colorado
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| Elevation | 1,459 m (4,787 ft) |
Cameo is a fascinating ghost town located in Mesa County, Colorado, United States. A ghost town is a place that used to be a busy community but is now mostly empty. Cameo was once a very active coal mining town.
It sits at an elevation of about 1,459 meters (4,787 feet) above sea level. You can find its former location right off I-70 Exit 46.
Contents
The Story of Cameo, Colorado
Cameo was named after a special rock formation. This formation looked like a cameo, which is a type of carving. The town was officially recognized when its post office opened on December 14, 1907.
Life in a Mining Town
For many years, Cameo was a busy center for coal mining. People worked hard in the mines, digging for coal. This coal was then used to power a large electricity plant nearby. The plant used the coal to create energy for homes and businesses.
Life in a mining town like Cameo would have been focused on the mine. Families lived and worked there, creating a close-knit community.
From Busy Town to Ghost Town
Over time, things changed. In the early 21st century, both the coal mine and the power plant were closed down. This meant that the main reasons for people to live and work in Cameo were gone. Slowly, the town became empty, turning into the ghost town it is today. The post office closed its doors on February 28, 1969.
Cameo Today
Even though Cameo is no longer a bustling town, the area is still used. Today, the former townsite is home to the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex. This facility was opened in 2018. It provides a place for people to learn about and practice shooting sports.
So, while the old mining days are over, Cameo's location continues to be a place of activity in a new way.
