Iola, Colorado facts for kids

Iola was once a small town in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States. Today, it is a ghost town because it was covered by water when the Blue Mesa Reservoir was created.

What Was Iola?

Iola was a community that existed for many years in the beautiful state of Colorado. It was located in Gunnison County, which is known for its mountains and rivers. A "ghost town" is a place where people used to live and work, but now it's empty. Iola became a ghost town because of a big change in the area.

How Iola Disappeared

The main reason Iola is no longer visible is the creation of the Blue Mesa Reservoir. This large body of water was built to store water and help control floods. When the reservoir was filled, the water rose and covered the land where Iola once stood. This meant the town had to be abandoned and was eventually submerged.

Life in Iola: The Post Office

Even though Iola was a small town, it had important services for its residents. One of these was a post office. The Iola post office opened on June 24, 1896. It served the community for many years, helping people send and receive letters and packages. The post office finally closed its doors on August 16, 1963. People say the name "Iola" was chosen simply because it sounded nice.