Cement, Colorado facts for kids

Cement, Colorado was a small community in Fremont County, Colorado. It was one of three factory towns that grew up around a large cement factory. The other two towns were named Portland and Concrete. These towns were important because they helped the cement plant operate.

What Was Cement, Colorado?

Cement, Colorado was not a typical town. It was built to support the nearby Portland Cement plant. This plant made a very important building material. The town provided homes for the workers and their families. It was located in eastern Fremont County.

A Town Built for Work

Factory towns like Cement, Colorado were common in the past. Companies would build houses and sometimes stores for their employees. This made it easy for workers to live close to their jobs. It also helped the company keep its workers. The town of Cement was directly linked to the success of the cement factory.

Why Factory Towns Existed

In the early 1900s, transportation was not as easy as today. Building towns near factories made sense. Workers could walk to work. The company could also control housing and services. This system helped industries grow quickly. It also created unique communities.

The Importance of Cement

Cement is a powder that becomes hard when mixed with water. It is a key ingredient in concrete. Concrete is used to build almost everything around us. Think of roads, bridges, and tall buildings. The Portland Cement plant made this vital material.

How Cement is Made

Making cement involves heating limestone and clay to very high temperatures. This process creates a hard material called clinker. The clinker is then ground into a fine powder. This powder is what we call cement. The plant near Cement, Colorado did this work every day.

Uses of Cement Today

Even today, cement is a basic building block. It helps create strong and lasting structures. The work done in places like Cement, Colorado helped build modern America. It allowed for the construction of many important buildings and roads.

What Happened to Cement, Colorado?

Many factory towns like Cement, Colorado eventually faded away. As industries changed, so did the need for these specific towns. Better transportation meant workers could live further from the factory. The focus shifted from company towns to larger communities.

Changes Over Time

Over the years, the way people lived and worked changed. The need for company-owned housing decreased. People had more choices about where to live. This led to the decline of many small factory towns. Cement, Colorado became less of a distinct community.

Its Legacy Today

While Cement, Colorado is no longer a bustling town, its history is important. It reminds us of a time when industries shaped communities directly. It shows how people lived and worked to build the infrastructure we use today. The nearby cement plant continues to operate, but the town itself is mostly a memory.