Pando, Colorado facts for kids
Pando is what we call an "extinct town" or a ghost town in Eagle County, Colorado, United States. An extinct town is a place where people used to live and work, but now it's empty, and no one lives there anymore. The U.S. government's system for naming places, called GNIS, still lists Pando as a place that once had people living in it.
What is Pando?
Pando was a small community located in the mountains of Colorado. It's known as a ghost town because, over time, all the people who lived there moved away, and the buildings were left empty. Today, you won't find a bustling town there, but rather a quiet area that holds memories of its past.
History of Pando
The town of Pando had a post office that was open for many years, from 1891 until 1942. A post office is a very important part of any town, as it helps people send and receive letters and packages. When the post office closed, it was a sign that fewer and fewer people were living in Pando.
The name "Pando" comes from the Spanish language, and it means "slow." It's interesting to think about why the town might have been given this name. Perhaps life there was peaceful and unhurried, or maybe it referred to something about the local landscape.
Why Towns Become Ghost Towns
Many towns, especially in the American West, became ghost towns for different reasons. Often, they grew up around a specific industry, like mining or logging. When the mines ran out of ore, or the trees were all cut down, people would move away to find work elsewhere. Sometimes, new roads or railways bypassed a town, making it harder for businesses to thrive. While we don't have all the details for Pando, its story is similar to many other small towns that faded away over time.
