Punkin
Center, Colorado
Punkin
Center is one of those wide spots where two highways cross, SH 71 and 94. Here at the junction, there used to be the
gas station, restaurant, store, and garage.
The state highway dept. also has a district shop at the junction. Years ago, the intersection was a busy
place. Cars would stop for fuel and the café
stayed busy.
The
fella that ran the gas station was a true westerner. He carried a side arm on his hip and more
then once, the presence of the pistol thwarted a robbery. Late 1940’s, the proprietor was not so
successful.
Couple
young joy riders stopped for gas and overpowered the owner. In the ensuing scuffle the owner of the gas
station was killed during the robbery.
The
county Sheriff, investigated, gathered evidence, went back to his office. Making calls to adjoin counties and asking
about incidents in their areas, The local sheriff was able to garner some
leads. After a year and half of
investigation, the Sheriff gained enough evidence and information to arrest a
couple from the valley down south.
Two
young men were out joy riding and they decided they were going to stop at the
gas station, fill up, then rob the owner.
During the robbery, they also killed the attendant. Which resulted in a lifetime visit at the
Canon City Hotel.
Today,
Punkin Center is pretty quiet, the traffic passes through the junction. The north/south flying through. The east/west, pausing to salute the stop
sign. The highway dept still has their
district shop there and a few folks still call Punkin Center home.
Punkin
Center is the home of the World Championship Garden Tractor Pulling. Through the summer, the garden tractors take
center stage. There is a pulling course
and the garden tractors roar down the track.
