Stout: Ghost Town Beneath Horsetooth
Stout, Colorado:
The Ghost Town Beneath The Waters
Stout, Colorado, often dubbed a “ghost town beneath the waters,” is a submerged settlement with a narrative that vividly captures the intersection of natural resource needs and community displacement. This blog post explores the history, demise, and intriguing aspects of the town, which now lies at the bottom of Horsetooth Reservoir.
The History of Stout, Colorado
Stout was not always destined to be an underwater relic. Located in Larimer County, near Fort Collins, the town was founded in the 1880s amidst a flourishing sandstone quarrying industry. The area was rich with high-quality stone, which was in demand for building construction across the growing state of Colorado. The town’s primary economic driver was the Stout Stone Quarry, which supplied materials for significant buildings like the University of Colorado in Boulder.
The town was strategically placed near the rail line, facilitating the transport of quarried stone to Denver and other expanding markets. At its peak, the settlement boasted a community of quarry workers and their families, complete with homes, a general store, and a post office. Life in this town was closely tied to the rhythms of quarry work, and the town pulsed with the collective effort of extracting and shipping stone.
The Demise of Stout
The town’s fate changed dramatically in the mid-20th century with the construction of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, an extensive water diversion plan designed to supply water to Colorado’s Front Range. One of the project’s components was the creation of Horsetooth Reservoir. Necessitated by the increasing water needs of agriculture and a growing population in the area.
The decision to build Horsetooth Reservoir directly impacted the area. The town, along with significant portions of the land around it, was to be flooded to create the reservoir. By the late 1940s, preparations were underway, and the residents were relocated. Buildings were either moved or demolished. By the time the reservoir was filled in 1951, the settlement had effectively vanished beneath the waters, leaving behind only memories and submerged structures.
Fun Facts About Stout
Despite its demise, Stout continues to fascinate locals and historians alike. Here are some captivating tidbits about this sunken town:
Underwater Exploration: Occasionally, when water levels in Horsetooth Reservoir drop significantly during droughts, the remnants of the town become partially visible. This attracts both curiosity and reverence from visitors.
Architectural Legacy: The stone quarried here didn’t just disappear with the town. It remains part of Colorado’s architectural history, prominently featured in buildings across the state.
Historical Artifacts: Divers and explorers have reported seeing foundations of buildings and other artifacts from the days as a bustling quarry town, resting eerily on the reservoir’s bed.
Remembering Stout
Today, Stout, Colorado, serves as a poignant reminder of the costs associated with development and progress. Its story is a captivating chapter in Colorado’s history. It illustrates the complex balance between natural resource management and the preservation of community heritage. For those interested in exploring Colorado’s past, the story of Stout offers a unique glimpse into a town that thrived on industry only to be sacrificed for the sake of water security.
Stout continues to live on in the collective memory of the region, a ghost town hidden beneath the waves, holding secrets of a bygone era. Whether visited by historians, explored by divers, or studied by those intrigued by submerged settlements, the town remains a significant, though submerged, piece of Colorado’s heritage.
Written by Nathan Weinland, leader of the Weinland Team at RE/MAX Alliance
Phone: (970) 690-4088
Email: Sales@TheWeinlandTeam.com
Written by fortcollinsexperience
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