Rosita, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rosita, Colorado
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 Rosita, Colorado
Location in Colorado
Rosita, Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Colorado |
| County | Custer County |
| Founded | 1872 |
| Government | |
| • Type | ghost town |
| Elevation | 2,685 m (8,809 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
Westcliffe 81252
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| Area code(s) | 719 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0192319 |
Rosita was once a busy silver mining town in Custer County, Colorado, United States. Today, it is known as a ghost town. The name Rosita means "little rose" in Spanish. Most of the old town has disappeared. However, the area around it has become a place with many homes.
Did you know Rosita was used in a movie? The 1958 western film Saddle the Wind was filmed there!
Contents
History of Rosita
How Rosita Began
Rosita was founded in late 1872. People came looking for silver, which they found nearby. At first, the town had tents and log cabins. Soon, it grew to include stores, a hotel, and a blacksmith shop. By 1874, Rosita had over a thousand people. It also had about 400 buildings.
Growth and Importance
A U.S. post office opened in Rosita in 1874. A weekly newspaper, the Rosita Index, also started that year. In 1878, Rosita became the county seat for Custer County. This meant it was the main town for the county. It took this role from Ula, which is now also a ghost town.
The Decline of Rosita
The silver mines around Rosita did not last forever. The silver veins started to run out of ore after a few years. By the early 1880s, other nearby towns grew larger. These towns were Querida and Silver Cliff.
In 1886, Silver Cliff became the new county seat. This happened after a long four-year disagreement. After losing the county seat, Rosita continued to shrink. The U.S. post office in Rosita closed in 1966. Today, mail for Rosita goes through Westcliffe using ZIP code 81252.
Geography of Rosita
Rosita is located high up in the mountains. Its elevation is about 8,809 feet (2,685 meters). You can find its ruins on the eastern side of the Wet Mountain Valley. The exact location is 38°05′50″N 105°20′10″W / 38.09722°N 105.33611°W.
