Doyle Settlement facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Doyle Settlement
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Doyle Schoolhouse
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 Doyle Settlement
Location in Colorado
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| Location | Southeast of Pueblo on Doyle Road, Pueblo, Colorado |
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| NRHP reference No. | 80000922 |
| Added to NRHP | April 4, 1980 |
The Doyle Settlement was an important ranch and community. It was located southeast of Pueblo in Pueblo County, Colorado. This historic site was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 4, 1980.
Contents
Joseph Doyle: A Pioneer
Joseph Doyle was a key figure in Colorado's early history. Born in 1817, he came west as a young man. He worked as a trapper and trader. In 1859, Doyle bought 1,200 acres of land. This land was along the Huerfano River. Here, he started the Doyle Settlement.
Doyle was one of the people who helped build El Pueblo. This was an early settlement in what is now Pueblo, Colorado. He also worked as a farmer and a businessman. He even served as a lawyer for the territory. Joseph Doyle was the first county commissioner for Huerfano County. He ran a post office from his home, called Casa Blanca. In 1864, he represented several counties in the territory's government. Doyle passed away in 1864. His property was left to his wife, Maria De La Cruz Suaso. Her mother, Teresita Sandoval, helped manage the land. The Doyle family owned the property for many decades.
Life at the Settlement
The Doyle Settlement was one of the first non-mining communities in Colorado. Buildings started to appear here in the late 1850s. More structures were built into the early 1860s. Today, the only building still standing is the schoolhouse. You can still see some old foundations and ruins from other buildings.
The Fort
An adobe fort was built near the Huerfano River. At the time, it was the only home for many miles around. Only a few dozen people lived at the settlement.
Homes and Buildings
Joseph Doyle's house was called Casa Blanca, or White House. It was built around 1862. This large white house was very important to the settlement.
There were also two rows of houses made from adobe. These houses faced each other. The western row was used for storing grain and other goods. The eastern row was where people lived and cooked.
The Cemetery
Northwest of Casa Blanca is a cemetery. It has some of the most beautifully carved headstones in Colorado. These headstones show the mixed backgrounds of the people who lived there. Many women were of Spanish-Mexican heritage. Most men were American.
The Schoolhouse
The schoolhouse at Doyle Settlement is still standing today. Many believe it is the oldest school in Colorado. It is also thought to be the oldest one-room school in the state. The school was built using adobe, wood siding, and wooden shingles. Joseph Doyle hired O.G. Goldrick to teach his children. Goldrick was Colorado's very first school teacher. A sign near the schoolhouse shares more about its long history.
Businesses at the Settlement
The settlement also had several businesses. There was an adobe store, a blacksmith shop, and a gristmill. Joseph Doyle was a successful farmer. He built irrigation ditches and farmed 600 acres of his land.
