Damascus – Colorado Ghost Town
by local author & historian: John LaBorde
In the southeastern corner of Lincoln County was the Post Office of Damascus a Colorado Ghost Town — an interesting name for an obscure place on Rush Creek. The Post Office was established in 1914. Nearby was the country school of Prairie Grove.
How the name Damascus came about is a bit of a mystery.
A few old timers can tell one where Damascus, Colorado was but not much more. It does raise some speculation on how the name came to be.
As obscure as the location was, getting there is an adventure. No roads lead to the site. At the end of CR43 there is a pasture gate, covered in tumble weeds and ruts beyond leading towards Rush Creek. Nearby is a ranch house and it is more than likely this is where Damascus once was.
The US Geological Survey map shows a wagon road passing through the area, following Rush Creek. It may have been the road that served the Post Office.
In the reaches of a pasture area is an old stucco style building. It doesn’t look like a typical home as it has more of the appearance of a commercial building. Sitting next to the wagon road raises questions of what it was used for.
Bouncing over a bridge a small herd of deer are startled and bound up over the fence across the road. Here in the little gullies small water pools can be found. Wildlife find these watering holes and congregating around them they are seldom disturbed by travelers. Down in the trees of Rush Creek on a warm sunny day they can be seen basking in the shade of the woods.