Sedgwick County • Julesburg, Ovid, Sedgwick
Wicked town, fiery history A
lthough the shortest of Colorado’s 23 byways, the South Platte River Trail is long in history. In the 19th century, the trail lay on the main route westward and was used by the tens of thousands of pioneers lured by the promises of wealth, land, and freedom. Starting at the Colorado Welcome Center, this 19-mile loop features interpretive signage at the original Julesburg townsite, the location of Colorado’s only Pony Express Home Station, and Fort Sedgwick, established in 1864 to protect the trail and telegraph line. Additional markers commemorate the other three Julesburg townsites, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the Lincoln Highway, the first coast-tocoast automobile road in the United States. Plan a drive time of about 30 minutes, plus time to see the sites along the trail. The emergence of the railroad caused a population explosion and earned Julesburg the nickname, “Wickedest City in the West.” The wild town derives its name from the infamous Jules Beni who ran a trading post on the south side of the Platte River during the 1850s. When the Overland Stage
Company was established in 1859, Jules was an agent. Indians burned the first Julesburg in February 1865. Julesburg II was built four miles east just outside the Fort Sedgwick Military Reservation boundary. Some historians claim the move was made to allow the sale of whiskey. Julesburg was a busy stage station until June 1867 when Union Pacific rail arrived north of the river. The town reestablished itself at the railhead. “Wickedest City in the West” was Julesburg’s well-deserved reputation. Saloons and gambling houses did a thriving business as the population grew to nearly 5,000. When the tracks stretched farther west, Julesburg continued as an important shipping point. This site was also known as “Weir.” In 1881 several miles east of Julesburg III Union Pacific began laying rails for its Denver Branch. A few merchants and several actual structures moved to “Denver Junction,” so named by the railroad. The new town soon settled down and attracted permanent businesses and citizens but the Beni legend remained popular. In 1886 the name “Denver Junction” became history when the site was incorporated as Julesburg IV.
The Pony Express statue at the Colorado Welcome Center at Julesburg commemorates the only home station on the mail route located in Colorado. (File photo) 48 • MAY 21, 2021 • EXPLORE 2021
A plaque set in stone sits along the South Platte River Trail Byway and marks the original site of "Old Julesburg." (Courtesy photo)
RESTAURANTS Julesburg
D&J Cafe 114 Cedar Street 970-474-0982 Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Family Dining Family Market Food, Hardware and Fuel 222 Cedar Street Julesburg, CO
970-474-0932 Monday-Saturday 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Family Dining
Sedgwick
Lucy’s Place I-76 & Hwy 59 970-463-5509 Sunday- Saturday 6:30 a.m.8 p.m. Family Dining
