Tuttle, Colorado facts for kids
Tuttle, Colorado was once a small but important town in the late 1800s. It served as a US Post Office stop for the famous Pony Express, a fast mail delivery service. Today, Tuttle is known as a ghost town, meaning it's a place where people used to live but now no one does. It's located in Kit Carson County, Colorado, northeast of Stratton, near Highway 57.
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What Was Tuttle, Colorado?
Tuttle started in the late 1800s as a busy spot for the Pony Express. At its busiest time, between 70 and 80 people lived there. They helped keep the mail moving across the country.
Life in Tuttle
Life in Tuttle was centered around the Pony Express. People who lived there helped with the mail. They also provided services for the riders and horses.
Who Lived in Tuttle?
By 1900, a count of people, called a census, showed that only about 15 people still lived in Tuttle. These residents included important community members like a blacksmith, who fixed metal items, and a postmaster, who ran the post office. There was also a photographer and even a novelist, someone who writes books.
Why Did Tuttle Become a Ghost Town?
The Pony Express was a very fast way to send mail for its time. However, new technologies soon came along that were even faster.
The End of the Pony Express
When the telegraph and railroads became common, the Pony Express was no longer needed. Messages could be sent almost instantly by telegraph. Mail could travel much faster and carry more on trains. Because of this, the Pony Express stopped running.
Tuttle's Last Residents
As the Pony Express faded away, so did the need for towns like Tuttle. Most people moved away to find work elsewhere. The last person living in Tuttle passed away in 1914.
What Remains of Tuttle Today?
Today, Tuttle is a quiet place. It shows us a piece of history from the American West.
Exploring the Ruins
If you visit Tuttle now, you will see only a few things left. You can find the old foundations of buildings. These are the stone or concrete bases that buildings once stood on. There are also the ruins of the local Lutheran Church. The old Post Office, which was so important to the town, is now mostly collapsed. These remains are a reminder of the town that once was.
