I’m still compiling a photographic collection of Colorado Ghost Towns. So far, I have at least 32 different ghost towns documented with another 46 still on my list to visit. I’m not sure how long this will take to accomplish though and my list keeps growing.
Todays’ photo is from the ghost town of Keota, which I found to be quite interesting. The town is located on the prairie about 60 miles northeast of Greely, Colorado. It has several abandoned structures still standing and has a very mysterious feel about it.
I visited Keota in April of 2023, and it feels like I was just there a few months ago. Time is passing by more quickly as I get older. Time has passed Keota by as well.
Keota, Colorado: A Prairie Ghost Town’s Rise and Fall
Introduction: Setting the Scene of Keota, Colorado
Keota, a largely deserted town in northeastern Colorado, Weld County, rests on the prairie within the Pawnee National Grasslands. Situated approximately 50 miles east of Fort Collins on County Road 103, its landscape is characterized by the vast plains, with the notable Pawnee Buttes located nearby, known as significant nesting areas for various birds of prey. Unlike many of Colorado’s well-known ghost towns that owe their abandonment to the decline of mining, Keota presents a slightly different narrative, with some of its remaining structures hinting at a more recent era of desertion. This distinction as a “young” ghost town suggests a unique timeline and set of circumstances that led to its eventual decline, offering a compelling look into the boom-and-bust cycles of prairie life in the 20th century.
The Genesis of Keota: From Homestead to Town (1880s)
The story of Keota began in 1880 when two sisters, Mary and Eva Beardsley, established a homestead on the land. Eight years later, in 1888, the sisters sold their claim to the Lincoln Land and Cattle Company. This marked a significant turning point, as the Lincoln Land Company subsequently filed a plat for the town of Keota in the same year, signaling a transition from a solitary homestead to a nascent community. The name “Keota” itself carries a local tradition, believed to be a Native American word with possible meanings of “gone to visit” or “fire has gone out”. This dual interpretation of the name adds an early layer of intrigue to the town’s history, perhaps even foreshadowing its eventual state of abandonment.
Keota and the Railroad: Life Along the “Old Prairie Dog Express”
The establishment and growth of Keota were closely intertwined with the arrival of the railroad. The town became a station stop on the Colorado-Wyoming spur of the Burlington Railroad, a line affectionately known as the “Old Prairie Dog Express”. This railway, built in the late 1880s, served as a crucial artery for the region. Notably, given Keota’s isolated location on the eastern plains, the railroad played a vital role in bringing water to the community, which was stored in a large water tank situated on the northwest corner of town. This water tower remains standing today, a silent sentinel of a bygone era. The primary function of this particular railroad line was the shipping of cattle between Cheyenne and Sterling, making Keota a significant point along this route. The presence of a train depot further solidified Keota’s importance as a stop along the “Old Prairie Dog Express,” facilitating the movement of both goods and people.
Sustaining the Community: Industries and Daily Life on the Prairie
The primary economic activities that sustained the community of Keota were farming and ranching. The Burlington Railroad played a crucial role in supporting these industries by providing transportation for agricultural products and livestock. Around 1908, Keota experienced a second wave of homesteaders migrating from the Midwest, which led to a noticeable increase in the town’s population. The year 1911 brought increased rainfall to the region, which in turn boosted land prices, benefiting both farming and cattle ranching endeavors. As the community grew, residents established essential services to support their daily lives. Wells were dug to secure water resources, and a hotel was built to accommodate travelers and new arrivals. The Keota News newspaper began publication , fostering a sense of local identity and providing a platform for community information. Additionally, a lumberyard, a church, and schools were established, further indicating the development of a self-sufficient prairie community.
Growth and Challenges: Peak Population and Significant Events
Keota’s population reached its peak around 1914, with approximately 177 homesteaders residing in the area. While the town itself never grew to a large size, with its population remaining under 150, it served as a vital hub for a surrounding farming community that encompassed around 1250 homesteads. In 1919, Keota was formally incorporated as a town, and it also boasted a Farmers State Bank, indicating a degree of economic stability and community organization. The town experienced a period of relative prosperity during World War I, as the demand for wheat soared, providing a significant boost to the local agricultural economy. However, this period of growth was not without its challenges. In 1918, an influenza epidemic swept through the region, resulting in a tragic loss of life within the community. Simultaneously, drought and damaging hail also struck, severely impacting farm prices and agricultural production, which were the lifeblood of Keota. In an effort to diversify the local economy and secure a more stable future, attempts were made to finance kaolinite mining and oil drilling with out-of-state capital from Utah, but these ventures ultimately fell through, highlighting the difficulties faced by the remote prairie community.
| Year | Estimated Population | Source |
| 1890 | 77 | |
| 1914 | 177 | |
| 1958 | 15 | |
| 1999 | 0 |
| Year | Event | Snippet ID(s) |
| 1880 | Homestead established by Beardsley sisters | |
| 1888 | Railroad arrives | |
| 1919 | Town incorporated | |
| 1974 | Post Office closes | |
| 1999 | Last resident leaves |
The Winds of Change: Decline and Eventual Abandonment
The factors that initially fostered Keota’s growth eventually waned, leading to its decline and abandonment. The railroad, once a lifeline, eventually ceased operations through Keota, with the tracks being removed in 1975, severing a vital connection to the outside world. The local school, which had served the community since 1888, closed its doors in 1951, signaling a decrease in the town’s younger population and vitality. A significant blow to the community was the permanent closure of the Keota Post Office in 1974, further isolating the remaining residents. In 1990, Keota officially lost its incorporated status, marking a formal end to its existence as a recognized municipality. By September 1999, the last remaining resident of Keota had moved away, leaving the town completely deserted. This abandonment can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the exhaustion of agricultural resources due to prolonged drought and the cessation of the crucial railroad services that had sustained the community for decades.
Keota Today: Location and Remaining Echoes of the Past
Today, Keota is located in the northeastern region of Colorado, approximately 50 miles east of Fort Collins, accessible via County Road 103. A prominent landmark that still stands is the silver water tower, a reminder of the town’s reliance on the railroad for its water supply. Scattered across the landscape are the remnants of the former community, including the dilapidated general store , several weathered old houses , and the skeletal frame of the old church. The outlines of foundations can also be discerned, marking the former locations of buildings such as the schoolhouse. To the north of the former townsite lies the Keota cemetery, a poignant reminder of the lives lived in this now-quiet place, with graves dating back many years alongside more recent burials as late as 2013. While the historic townsite is largely abandoned, a few modern houses have been built in the surrounding area, indicating a small present-day population. Occasionally, the stillness of Keota is broken by the passage of oil exploration companies and Weld County workers who travel through the area.
Faces of Keota: Remembering Notable Individuals and Families
Despite its small size, Keota was home to individuals who left their mark on its history. One such figure was Clyde Leslie Stanley, who served as the publisher and editor of the Keota News. Through his newspaper, Stanley became a vital chronicler of the town’s events and the lives of its residents. Beyond his journalistic endeavors, Stanley was also a prominent member of the community, serving as the owner of the general store and the postmaster, as well as holding the significant position of U.S. Land Commissioner for several terms. Interestingly, Keota’s unique character and Stanley’s role in the community captured the attention of the renowned author James A. Michener, who visited Keota while researching his epic novel Centennial. The town of Line Camp in Michener’s book is believed to have been directly inspired by Keota and its history, with the character of the Land Commissioner, Walter Bellamy, reportedly based on Clyde Stanley. Until recently, former residents of Keota would gather annually for reunions, demonstrating the enduring bonds and memories associated with the town. A touching tradition also persists, with an anonymous individual placing a wreath on the door of the Methodist church every Christmas, a silent testament to the town’s lasting significance for those who once called it home.
Stories and Lore: Unearthing the Legends of Keota
The name “Keota” itself carries a whisper of the past, with its possible Native American origins suggesting meanings of “gone to visit” or “fire has gone out”. Local lore further suggests that the name might be derived from the Sac & Fox tribe, where “Keota” or “Kee-O-ta” could mean “Safe to leave camp” or “Fire ALL Out,” possibly referencing the campfire being cold. Beyond the meaning of its name, Keota’s history, while not filled with dramatic legends of outlaws or lost gold, holds a quiet sense of the past. The annual tradition of the anonymous Christmas wreath on the church door speaks to a poignant, personal act of remembrance, hinting at the deep emotional connections that former residents still hold for their abandoned community. The very emptiness of the town, with its silent buildings standing against the vast prairie, evokes a sense of mystery and invites contemplation about the lives and stories that once unfolded there.
A Visual Journey: Historical Maps and Photographs
For those seeking a more visual understanding of Keota’s past, historical maps and photographs offer valuable insights. Images of Keota’s train depot from 1914 provide a glimpse into its importance as a transportation hub. Photographs taken in 1939 by the Farm Security Administration document the town’s decline during the Dust Bowl era, showing abandoned buildings and the harsh realities faced by the community. Historical USGS topographic maps may also exist that depict Keota and the surrounding area during its period of activity. Additionally, the Ahlstrand Map is noted for showing the location of Keota alongside other railroad towns in northern Colorado. These visual resources, when available, can help paint a more complete picture of Keota’s physical layout and the lives of its inhabitants throughout its history.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Keota
The story of Keota, Colorado, is a poignant example of the many small communities that blossomed and faded on the American prairie. Founded as a homestead in 1880, Keota grew into a vital railroad stop and a service center for a widespread agricultural community. Despite periods of prosperity, the town faced numerous challenges, including economic depressions, devastating natural disasters, and ultimately, the decline of the railroad, which led to its gradual abandonment. Today, Keota stands as a quiet ghost town, its remaining structures and the memories of its former residents echoing across the vast Pawnee National Grasslands. The legacy of Keota is a testament to the resilience and spirit of the homesteaders who sought a life on the prairie, and its story continues to resonate through local lore and its connection to the literary world, ensuring that the “fire” of Keota’s past, while seemingly out, is never truly forgotten.
