Concrete, Colorado facts for kids

Concrete was a small, historic factory town located in eastern Fremont County, Colorado, in the United States. It was one of three towns built around a large cement plant, which is now operated by a company called Holcim. The other two towns were named Portland and Cement. These towns were important because they provided homes for the workers who made cement.

Concrete, Portland, and Cement are all found south of Penrose, Colorado, and east of Florence, Colorado. You can find them along State Highway 120. The town of Concrete was founded in 1905. It sits at an elevation of about 5,036 feet (1,535 meters) above sea level.

What Was Concrete, Colorado?

Concrete was known as a "company town" or "factory town." This means it was built mainly to support a specific industry, in this case, a large cement factory. The company that owned the factory often built homes, stores, and other services for its employees and their families.

A Town Built for Cement

The main reason Concrete existed was the nearby cement plant. Cement is a very important material used in construction. It's a powder that, when mixed with water, sand, and gravel, creates concrete – the strong, hard material used to build roads, bridges, and buildings. The area around Fremont County had the right natural resources, like limestone, which are needed to make cement.

The cement plant provided many jobs for people in the area. Workers would live in towns like Concrete, Portland, or Cement, making it easier for them to get to work every day. These towns were busy places, centered around the factory's operations.

Life in a Factory Town

Life in a factory town like Concrete was often closely tied to the plant's schedule. Families lived near their workplaces, and the community often revolved around the factory. Children might have gone to schools built by the company, and stores would cater to the needs of the factory workers. It was a unique way of life where the town and the industry grew together.

Where Was Concrete Located?

Concrete was situated in a part of Colorado known for its natural beauty and resources. Fremont County, where the town was located, is in the central part of the state. It's an area with a mix of plains and mountains.

Fremont County's Industrial Past

Fremont County has a rich history of industry, including mining and manufacturing. The cement industry was a big part of this. Towns like Concrete, Portland, and Cement were key to this industrial activity. They helped supply the materials needed for building projects across Colorado and beyond. Even today, the Holcim plant continues this legacy, though the original towns have changed over time.