Sams, Colorado facts for kids

Sams is a small, quiet place in San Miguel County, Colorado. It's known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes or buildings that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government.

What is an Unincorporated Community?

An unincorporated community like Sams is a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own mayor or town council. Instead, it's usually part of a larger county. The county government helps manage things like roads and services for everyone living there. Think of it as a neighborhood that's not part of a city.

A Look Back at Sams' History

Sams has a simple but interesting past. Like many small places, its story is often tied to the people who lived and worked there long ago.

Early Days and the Post Office

For many years, Sams had its own post office. This post office was open from 1903 until 1950. Having a post office was a big deal for a small community. It meant people could send and receive letters and packages right there. It was a central spot for news and connecting with the outside world.

How Sams Got Its Name

The name "Sams" came from a local person who owned a sawmill nearby. A sawmill is a place where logs are cut into lumber. This lumber was then used to build houses and other structures. It shows that the area likely had a lot of trees and a strong connection to the timber industry back then. Many small communities in the past were named after important local businesses or people.