History of Eckert and Orchard City

388 S. Grand Mesa Dr,Cedaredge CO 81413

02 September, 2021

Description

Cedaredge High School Student, Olivia Madden, speaks about the history of the "lower valley." Many of the first permanent settlers in the SCV claimed land in the southern part of the valley. Some of these early pioneer families include the Kennicotts, the Spauldings, the Johnsons, the Harts, and the Kehmeiers. Even the Otto Peterson family settled first in Cory, where they planted the first fruit trees in the valley and started a trend. There were churches, fraternal organizations, blacksmiths and three prosperous towns. The first school was opened in the Eckert area, and in 1912, Eckert built the first high school. The first lumber yard was located in Cory, and the general store opened in Eckert before one opened in Cedaredge. Given the speed of traveling by foot or even horseback, they probably saved time getting to the markets in Delta, and when rails were laid for a train to travel between Delta and Somerset, the economic and time-saving benefits increased even more. Olivia is a 6th generation native and wll tell this story as few others can.