Platteville is a small statutory town located in Weld County, Colorado. At the 2010 United States Census, the town’s population was 2,485.
Platteville is found adjacent to Fort Vasquez on US Highway 85. Platteville’s location is 40°12′52″N 104°49′27″W, and it is nestled along the eastern bank of the South Platte River. According to the United States Census Bureau, Platteville has a total area of 2.527 square miles, all of it being land.
History Of Platteville
Platteville is one of the oldest communities in Weld County and sits on land once occupied by the nomad tribes and Cheyenne Indians, who used it as their hunting grounds. The influx of first settlers in the area happened in 1857, brought about by the Colorado Gold Rush. The first settlers eventually set up a government seat at St. Vrain, four miles from present-day Platteville. However, actual development in the area came when the Denver and Pacific Railroad lines were completed in 1870, and Johnston station was established two miles south of what would become Platteville.
The Platte River Land Company established a townsite and filed a map of The Town of Platteville with the Colorado Territorial Government in 1871. Platteville was described as a ‘hustling little frontier town’ in its early years, and the town’s first general store was built in the late 1870s and contained a small hotel, the store itself, and a post office. The city served people coming from the surrounding valleys; St. Vrain, Big Thompson, Little Thompson, and ranchers on the Great Plains on the east. Platteville was incorporated on January 1, 1887, and is named because of its location on the Platte River.
Working And Living In Platteville
Platteville offers its residents a rural-urban mix, and most people living in the town are homeowners, with few living in rented spaces. Many residents tend to be conservative, and the city has a diverse population of many ethnicities. Home prices in the area are higher than the national average, but they are good quality, with neighbourhoods around Platteville relatively safe. The excellent education system in the place is a plus if you are a prospective resident raising a family. Some of the popular neighbourhoods in the area are;
- Gilcrest
- Platteville
- Pelican Lake Ranch
- County Road 25 ½
Platteville has a skilled workforce that is also well educated. The most common jobs held by people in Platteville are office& Administrative support, Construction & Extraction occupations, Food Preparation, and service jobs. The largest employers of Platteville’s residents are;
- Bay Valley Foods
- Anadarko Petroleum
- Pilgrim’s
- Atmos Energy
- TIC-The industrial Company
- Calfrac Well Services
Education in Platteville
Platteville is served by the Weld County School District RE-1, which has a mix of top-quality public and private schools. Platteville also has access to institutions of higher learning in the area. Some of the public schools in the area are;
- North Valley Middle School
- Gilcrest Elementary School
- Valley High School
- Pete Mirich Elementary School
- Platteville Elementary School
Some of the top private schools in the area are;
- Dayspring Christian Academy
- Zion Lutheran School
- Elmwood Baptist Academy
- Longmont Christian School
Recreation in Platteville
Platteville and the surrounding towns offer a wide selection of recreation activities and places you can visit to relax from the stresses of daily life.
- Platteville Pioneer Museum – It is a local history museum located in Lincoln Park at the heart of Platteville, and its staff is sourced from the Platteville Historical Society. The museum contains photos, family history, memorabilia, and house artefacts from residents of the Platteville area. The museum also houses important information about Fort St. Vrain.t Platteville Pioneer Museum houses the town library, hosts annual festivities on its grounds, and has a designated playground area for children.
- Noah’s Ark Petting Zoo & Pony Rides – This attraction is popular with children as well as animal lovers. Pay a visit to the zoo to enjoy the pony rides at a small fee and your favourite animals.
- Fort Vasquez Museum – Located approximately three miles from Platteville, Fort Vasquez Museum is the site of an 1835 port where fur was traded. At the museum, you can follow the paths of founders Andrew Sublette and Louis Vasquez, who gave employment to many mountain-men. The museum offers guided tours year-round with educational programs that are child-friendly and adult-friendly. You will have to make a reservation ahead of your visit to enjoy this location.
- Adams County Fair – The county fair is held in the Riverdale Regional Park complex, conveniently located off US Highway 85. The first Adams County fair was born in 1904, and in 1964 the Adams County Board of County Commissioners elected to move its location to its current site. The fair has many entertaining contests and competitions for residents and visitors to engage in and a host of entertainment and refreshment options to choose from the endless list.
- R’S Farm – This establishment is famous for its beautiful greenhouse products. They produce six types of tomatoes and coloured bell peppers. This site is worth visiting if you are into agriculture or are interested in knowing more about the field. The farm also grows onions, leeks, flowers, melons, potatoes, and a beehive that produces sweet honey and beeswax products.
- Arrowhead Dahlias – It is a family farm located on the eastern plains of the state of Colorado. The farm is about 35 miles to the northeast of Denver and is easily accessible by car from the town of Platteville. It is open year-round to visitors, with the prime time to visit it is in August through to September and is worth a visit.