Fort Collins Historical Society

05/28/2026

This little snippet of railroad track is a preserved remnant of the train line that used to run out to Bellvue, Stout, and Ingleside. Looking west, you see the path it would take towards Bellvue. Looking east, you see the route it would take from Greeley

05/23/2026

The veterans Plaza in Fort Collins always has wonderful displays and events for Memorial Day weekend. But they’ve really outdone themselves this year. We encourage you to get out to the plaza this weekend to see everything that’s available, but especially the series of panels on the Revolutionary War. They’re very well done.

05/15/2026

We had a great turnout on May 5th for the reading of a Historic Preservation proclamation by Mayor Francis. In addition to having members of the Historic Preservation Commission and staff from the Historic Preservation Department, there were also representatives from the Museo de las Tres Colonias, Poudre Landmarks, Fort Collins Trolley, CSU's History Department, and a few City Council members. If you're part of a group that was represented but that I didn't mention here, please add the name of the group in the comments!

Thank you to everyone that showed up. It just goes to show how well beloved our historic places are to Fort Collins residents!

05/04/2026

Water Works First Open House of 2026!
The 1883 Historic Water Works his Saturday, May 9th, the 1883 Historic Water Works is throwing open its doors to unveil the incredible story of how it transformed Fort Collins from a rugged frontier town to a thriving city! Some would even argue Fort Collins might not have survived without it. It certainly wouldn't have thrived the way it did.
Join us from 10:00am to 3:00pm and discover the power of innovation and perseverance that shaped our community. Admission is FREE!

04/20/2026

It's that time of year again when the neighbors are going to be eyeing your lawn to ascertain how well you're managing those dandelions.

Senator Drake faced the same problem at his home on Re*****on Street (just south of Magnolia, where Target is today). A neighbor accused him of owning a dandelion infested lot near his house.

Weekly Courier, May 19, 1910.

04/18/2026

The April newsletter is out! If you're not seeing it in your inbox, you can check it out here:

Our April presentation kicks off a new collaboration between the Fort Collins Historical Society and the Colorado State University Department of History. Every year the history department hosts an annual Graduate Student Research Conference, highlighting advanced research from its MA and PhD candida...

03/31/2026

There's a great article about Brown Farm on the west side of town in today's The Coloradoan!

Driving through west Fort Collins, you'll find neighborhood parks, pools, housing tracts and ... one 19th-century farmhouse? Here's its story.

03/25/2026

The old Ghent Motor buildings are being torn down, but the historic carriage steps that belonged to William Drake when he lived on that same site have been preserved! They're now located along with several other historic carriage steps in Heritage Courtyard, by the Carnegie Library.

Heritage Courtyard is open most afternoons. All of the cabins are unlocked and you can wander through them. And the Carnegie Center for Creativity is also open. So swing on by and see the carriage steps, the cabins, the old hitching posts, and artwork!

03/20/2026

Our local Masonic Hall, where the historical society met for years, was highlighted by History Colorado!

03/20/2026

We look forward to seeing you next Monday night at 6:30 for a presentation on the history of the library in Fort Collins!

03/17/2026

Our latest newsletter just came out! If you're not seeing one in your inbox, you can check it out here:

Discover the story of the Fort Collins library, from its 19th-century beginnings in small community reading rooms to the Carnegie Library and today’s Poudre River Public Library District. This talk will explore how books, buildings, and civic ambition shaped one of Fort Collins’ most enduring pu...