Poncha Springs
Colorado
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Town of Poncha Springs
About Us
To paint a portrait of Poncha Springs is to picture the diversity and richness of the Old Western Colorado alongside the image of a typical small town in rural America. Located in Chaffee County Colorado, in the upper reaches of the Arkansas River Basin, Poncha Springs is nestled in a valley surrounded by the scenic San Isabel National Forest. Poncha Springs calls itself the Crossroads of the Rockies, an appropriate nickname given that the town, at an elevation of 7,465 feet, is nearby to 14 mountain peaks of more than 14,000 feet above mean sea level and is situated at the junction of two transcontinental highways.
History
With abundant hot springs (99 nearby) and the influence of Spanish culture in the area, the community site became known as Poncho (meaning cape and warmth) Springs. In 1924, the town officially became Poncha Springs.
The Ute Indians often camped in this area, spending summer high in the Rockies and winters in the lower mountain valleys where the average yearly temperatures are a pleasant 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
In 1779, Juan Batista de Anza led a military expedition over Poncha Pass. Trappers soon followed the explorers. Kit Carson, a famous mountain man of the times, is credited by some with the discovery of the hot springs.
Prospectors began to arrive on the scene about 1860. Nat Rich and Bob Hendricks built the first cabin (still standing) in town. James Rich, son of Nat Rich, was the first white child born in Poncha Springs in 1867. Poncha Springs was designated as an election precinct that year.
John Burnett homesteaded in 1865. He was the first Indian Agent here and his wife, Menerva Maxwell Burnett, was one of the first school teachers. In 1866, a log cabin was built on the Burnett Ranch for an Indian supply post.
The Hutchinson and McPherson families also homesteaded in the mid 1860's. In 1868 John McPherson purchased Nat Rich's squatting rights from Joe Hutchinson and built a grocery store.
Poncha started to boom in the mid 1870's. Construction on the Jackson Hotel was begun in 1876 and completed in 1878. The town incorporated on December 8, 1880. The population was 350 at the time and the vote was 70 for and 1 against.
With the building of the railroad in 1880, the population grew to well over 2000. Poncha had the first library in Chaffee county. A major fire in 1887 destroyed almost all of the Town's frame buildings, including the 17 flourishing saloons in Town. Another early day structure, the Presbyterian Church, built in 1882 was lost to fire in 1932.
The school house, which was completed in 1883, is still standing and is depicted at the top of this page. This long standing building has been converted to use as the Town Hall; incorporating all local government functions as well as containing the Town museum and a large meeting room on the second floor.
Today, with a population of 474 persons, Poncha Springs is a delightful community, proud of its heritage but eager for the future.
To paint a portrait of Poncha Springs is to picture the diversity and richness of the Old Western Colorado alongside the image of a typical small town in rural America. Located in Chaffee County Colorado, in the upper reaches of the Arkansas River Basin, Poncha Springs is nestled in a valley surrounded by the scenic San Isabel National Forest. Poncha Springs calls itself the Crossroads of the Rockies, an appropriate nickname given that the town, at an elevation of 7,465 feet, is nearby to 14 mountain peaks of more than 14,000 feet above mean sea level and is situated at the junction of two transcontinental highways.
History
With abundant hot springs (99 nearby) and the influence of Spanish culture in the area, the community site became known as Poncho (meaning cape and warmth) Springs. In 1924, the town officially became Poncha Springs.
The Ute Indians often camped in this area, spending summer high in the Rockies and winters in the lower mountain valleys where the average yearly temperatures are a pleasant 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
In 1779, Juan Batista de Anza led a military expedition over Poncha Pass. Trappers soon followed the explorers. Kit Carson, a famous mountain man of the times, is credited by some with the discovery of the hot springs.
Prospectors began to arrive on the scene about 1860. Nat Rich and Bob Hendricks built the first cabin (still standing) in town. James Rich, son of Nat Rich, was the first white child born in Poncha Springs in 1867. Poncha Springs was designated as an election precinct that year.
John Burnett homesteaded in 1865. He was the first Indian Agent here and his wife, Menerva Maxwell Burnett, was one of the first school teachers. In 1866, a log cabin was built on the Burnett Ranch for an Indian supply post.
The Hutchinson and McPherson families also homesteaded in the mid 1860's. In 1868 John McPherson purchased Nat Rich's squatting rights from Joe Hutchinson and built a grocery store.
Poncha started to boom in the mid 1870's. Construction on the Jackson Hotel was begun in 1876 and completed in 1878. The town incorporated on December 8, 1880. The population was 350 at the time and the vote was 70 for and 1 against.
With the building of the railroad in 1880, the population grew to well over 2000. Poncha had the first library in Chaffee county. A major fire in 1887 destroyed almost all of the Town's frame buildings, including the 17 flourishing saloons in Town. Another early day structure, the Presbyterian Church, built in 1882 was lost to fire in 1932.
The school house, which was completed in 1883, is still standing and is depicted at the top of this page. This long standing building has been converted to use as the Town Hall; incorporating all local government functions as well as containing the Town museum and a large meeting room on the second floor.
Today, with a population of 474 persons, Poncha Springs is a delightful community, proud of its heritage but eager for the future.