See Lincoln County Colorado
Blue Cliff Colorado – Ghost Town?

Blue Cliff Colorado – Ghost Town?

Blue-Cliff Colorado – Ghost Town in Lincoln County?

by local author & historian: John LaBorde


On State Highway 71 is a sign for Blue Cliff pointing east on CR J. Take the road up the hill. One does not come to a town but a country school house. It sits on the NW corner of the junction with CR 29. Blue Cliff school was built in the early 1900’s to serve the people who had settled in the area and is still used by the local community today.

Blue Cliff, Colorado Ghost TownDrive on east on CR J, down the hill and turn around. Looking back up the hill one can see the cliff. In the early light of morning the mesa has a bluish cast and the sharp rise of the mesa lends to it looking like a cliff. The ridge that sits over the basins of two drainage creeks is level making for good farm ground. In the area are numerous homes that have been there for decades. The little country school that many went to in their early childhood learning now serves the neighborhood as a community building.

There are gatherings, weddings, funerals, potlucks or card parties.

Blue Cliff, Colorado Ghost Town more than 100 years oldOn Sunday the pastor from Hugo drives down to Blue Cliff for Sunday services. The ghosts also quietly sit in the pews during the church service as the neighbors gather and celebrate their faith.

On a clear crisp fall day one can see the children walking to the school house. The teacher is standing in front greeting the children and watching them as they play in the yard. Soon the bell will ring and there will be squeals and squawks as the children head into the school house for a day of learning. Later in the week, wagons will roll up for the weekend quilting bee. That evening the desks will be moved off to one side and the sound of the piano will fill the room as feet shuffle across the floor. The community passes the time visiting and living their lives.

High on the cliff that looks blue, people live out their dreams. Many have left, some remain, but Blue Cliff; Colorado ghost town? If ghosts remain they are suspiciously silent and still.

The Schoolhouse now serves as Community Center and Church and is listed on U-S Places and a map is available here.

 

 

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