South Pueblo, Colorado facts for kids
South Pueblo, Colorado was once a town in Colorado. It was one of three towns, along with Central Pueblo and Bessemer, that later joined together to form the city of Pueblo, Colorado.
The Story of South Pueblo
South Pueblo started in 1880 as a small group of temporary homes. These homes were built near a new steel mill that was being constructed. This mill later became known as the Colorado Coal and Iron Company, and by 1892, it was called the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company (CF&I).
How South Pueblo Got Its Name
When the settlement first began, it was called Taylorville. This name honored Colonel W. W. Taylor, who was in charge of building the steel mill. However, the company wanted a different name, so they started calling the area "Steelworks."
In 1881, as more permanent houses were built, the company decided to officially organize the town. They named it "Bessemer."
Building the Steel Mill
The steel mill, which started construction in 1880, was a big project by the Central Colorado Improvement Company. This company was started in 1872 by General William J. Palmer. Their goal was to buy land, mineral springs, and mines in Colorado. They also planned to create new towns, start coal mining, make iron, build factories, and even construct canals and roads.
Work on the steel mill began in February 1880. They started digging the foundation for the first blast furnace on a flat, open area south of where South Pueblo would later be located.