—Biggest Little Town —

Times of Thriving, Times of Striving

Fertile soil and plenty of irrigation water
set the stage for farms that thrived for
forty years, beginning in 1919. The area
around Crowley was bursting with
orchards, vegetable farms, an alfalfa mill
and a tomato canning factory. Melons, the
lead crop, were stored on ice awaiting
shipment in three sheds built along
the railroad.

In 1924, the Missouri Pacific Railroad
shipped 1,032 rail cars of agricultural
products:

- 407 railcars of beets
- 247 railcars of cantaloupes
- 152 railcars of alfalfa meal
- 72 railcars of alfalfa hay
- 32 railcars of cattle
- 23 railcars of hogs

O.P. Adkinson's Market functioned as the
core of the community, selling everything
from shoes to horse harness. Most
customers had charge accounts, and
farmers paid their grocery bill once a year when their crops sold. Groceries came in bulk: potatoes, beans, sugar, onions and vinegar.

Hopeful settlers from Japan and Mexico
made their way to Crowley County to
work at the National Sugar
Company, farms, ranches and a
welcoming community fostered
a gentleness between all
immigrant groups. Crowley School
reunions still beckon generations back to
this place that keeps its character despite
hardship,



a place where neighbors are still
connected to the land.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Olney Springs, CO  |  Crowley County  |  81062  |  Colorado  |  United States of America

Crowley Communities / National Sugar Company / Last Days of the Buffalo / Crowley Country
George Washington Swink
A Cast of Colorful Characters
Mountain Men to Merchants
An Adobe Outpost
Welcome to the Borderlands
Traveling Through History
Edward Dorris
San Carlos de los Jupes
Welcome to Bent County

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.