Prairie Ghost town

 

Vona, Colorado

 

            Across the plains of eastern Colorado are many little burgs that are slowly settling in to dusty memories.  Early 1900 through the 1920’s these little towns were in their heyday.  Main street was a busy place with shops and stores in downtown.  Buggies and the new fangled horseless carriage shared the main avenue.  Then the great depression hit the country and life on the prairie would change for the depression ushered in the dust bowl.  What had once been prosperous land became pile of blowing dust.  No longer could folks pay their debts, banks foreclosed and people lost their livelihood. Life had evolved into a desperate situation of trying to survive. 

            Vona was located along the railroad line of the Rock Island.  When the homestead law changed, the little town of Vona was ready for the new settlers.  The railroad brought supplies and product was shipped via the railway.  Vona became a thriving farm town on the high plains.  A town government was formed and utilities were placed.  A school was built and into the 20^th century Vona moved. 

            After the dirty 30, dreams began to fade and with the drought of the 50’s many sold out and moved on.  The dream of a country town began to fade into the murky recess of dreams lost. 

            Today Vona is home to a few dozen residents, but most of the business have closed up and moved on.  The Post Office is still open as is town hall to manage the utilities and streets.  City park is across the street from town hall and is maintained. 

            During the 60’s, Interstate 70 was under construction it completely by passed the little town.  The building of the Interstate was the knell of demise.  On the old highway, the gas station hung on until the caretakers could no longer manage.  The grain elevator shuttered up a couple of years earlier.  Across the corner is the junk dealer in the gulley with appliances strewn about awaiting the fate to the scrap pile. 

            Mani street has a few buildings, most are empty and store a variety of stuff.  One of the empty buildings had goats in a pen beside it.  Mostly the winds of past times float across the roofs whistling. 

            On a knoll overlooking the town is the water tower.  One of the more unique towers and probably one of the smallest tanks ever.  Next to it is a large steel tank, possibly auxiliary supply and behind is the new replacement water tower.  The old water tower was designated a historic land mark because of its uniqueness. 

            There are the few who still live in Vona, it is a quiet village, where people still go about life.