The first settlers of Monument were men from the state of Iowa who with their wagon trains had started out for California and the gold rush. When they arrived here the meadowlands grass was as high as the horses backs, there were many springs of good soft water and good rich virgin farming soil. So they stayed here and homesteaded land and began to make improvements. Many of the pioneers didn't get to Iowa for their families for three years.

They had many trials and troubles with the Indians. A fort was built on the McShane Ranch for protection. It was a circular stone fort, twelve feet in diameter with stone walls two feet thick and a roof of logs. Earth covered the logs to prevent Indians from setting the roof on fire. There were five port holes of which four had sliding blocks of stone to close them.

Monument was first named "Henry" Station after Henry Limbach, one of the early settlers and the first mayor.

When the D&RG railroad was built in 1870s, General Palmer and Mr. Limbach had the towns name changed to Monument because of the beautiful rock formations to the west of the town.

Monument has been an incorporated town since June 2, 1879. The first town meeting was held July 3, 1879. In the 1880s the town of Monument was supported by the farmers. The Divide potatoes were known as the best potatoes in the country. This was the chief industry. In 1877 the greatest number of potatoes raised to the acre was 25,000 pounds. In 1889 Monument shipped out 380 CARS (RAILROAD) OF POTATOES TO Kansas, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Other crops raised to sell were rye, oats and corn. In 1878 it was estimated that there were 75,000 to 100,000 bushels of grain to be ground in the Monument vicinity. In 1890 Monument was the main shipping point on the D&RG Railroad. One year Monument shipped 380 cars of potatoes, 100 cars of lumber, 75 cars of cord wood and 16 cars filled with grain.

At harvest time the farmers always hired extra help to pick potatoes and threshing grain.

In the winter it was always ice harvest time which usually began the last of December. Forty to fifty men were employed for 25 to 30 days to pack ice in the ice houses and then to be used to refrigerate the railroad cars for shipping fruit and vegetables in the summer. In 1943 a terrific west wind swept over the mountains and blew the ice houses down.

The town also had a cheese factory and creamery. Dairy farmers sold their milk to the Carlson and Frink Creamery Company. The cheese made here was known as Black Diamond cheese and shipped all over the United States.

Just about 3 miles west of Monument was the Monument Nursery. It was started in 1907. In 1938 the nursery required 60 men to operate. The Monument nursery was established primarily to provide new trees for reforestation of 15,000 acres of timber land left barren by the disastrous Mt. Herman forest fire in the 1880s. The Mt. Herman burn was completely reforested by 1926. The nursery closed in 1965 and moved to Basalt, CO where more water could be obtained for irrigation and it could operate cheaper.

Monument has grown since June of 1954 when it was made known that the Air Force Academy would be built approximately six miles south of Monument. Many homes have been built in Monument and lots that were bought for $5 and $10 now sold for $3,000 to $6,500. Very little farming or cattle raising in now done. All have been sub-divided and new homes built. Many people commute to Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Denver each day to work. Beautiful houses have been built in the timber known now as Woodmoor. Many retired military have liked the area and have bought or built homes here. The past fifty years have brought many changes perhaps the next fifty years will too.