Colorado Factory Modulars - Purcell Townsite Estates

Purcell Townsite Estates
Purcell, CO (Unincorporated Weld County)

Purcell, Colorado - a brief history

North of Greeley, Colorado, on Highway 85, then 8 miles east of Pierce on County Road 90, is the early day farming and ranching community of Purcell; established in 1910 by Lawrence M. Purcell.

Around 1906, the Union Pacific RR built a light rail track from its Coverly intersection to an area south of CR 90 known as Hungerford Station. This was the Peaceful Valley Spur, but locals called it the "Prairie Dog Express." The remains of the old Hungerford Wye shaped section of track on which trains back onto to turn around] are still visible south of CR 90. However, Mr. Purcell persuaded the UPRR to extend its tracks north, across CR 90, by selling them a much larger area for their use for just one dollar. So UPRR laid tracks across CR 90 and built another Wye on the north side of Purcell. Therefore, Purcell is the only known railroad town located between two Wyes.

Purcell was the center of a fairly prosperous area for many years. 175 souls received mail in Hubert Waldo's store and post office. Dozens of homes were located in or near to Purcell. There were also two grain elevators, a (Waldo) mercantile and gas station, car repair shop, grocery store, a lumber yard, a multi-grade school with a small teacher's home, a stock yard, a Grange Hall and several churches.

An extensive irrigation canal to bring Larimer River water to the farmers surrounding Purcell was built, but this was later blocked by Wyoming politicians. The eroded remains of the original canal can still be seen across lands northwest of Purcell. This political double-cross and farming disaster was featured in James Michener's best selling novel on Colorado's history, CENTENNIAL.

During the 1930s, Purcell was effectively wiped out by Dust Bowl conditions. The Department of Agriculture relocated many Purcell families to the Grand Junction area. Many of Purcell's original buildings, especially its Grange and churches, were relocated for use in nearby Pierce and Galeton, with the lumber yard and gas station moved to the SE corner. With a lack of area business, the UPRR ceased its Peaceful Valley service around 1946 and pulled up its tracks in 1954.

Recently, the east portion of the Purcell townsite was sold to Premier Community Homes and is being developed as Purcell Estates; a manufactured home community of 185 units on one acre homesites. Homes from the $220s. It is a private well and septic community. For more information, call Community Manager, Dennis Sanchez at 303-350-6085.

USDA Financing Available. Down Payment is often less than $700.