Colorado Mountains, Skiing, Ghost Towns, 4×4, and Vacations

No Colorado vacation is complete without visiting the small town of Dillon.  Surrounded by the Dillon Reservoir, lush forests, and wildlife,  Dillon is located high in the Colorado mountains.

The town of Dillon began as nothing more than a stage stop.  Quickly, as more settlers came to the area to seek their fortunes in the local mines, the population of Dillon grew.   Soon Dillon had replaced its stage stop with a railroad depot and there were many new buildings in the town.

Dillon incorporated their town in January 1883 and also, in that same year, built a new schoolhouse for the children of the area.  Since the railroad came through Dillon, the town’s people were able to build the school using the most modern materials that could be purchased at that time.  Items such as four-by-four casement windows and a pressed-tin ceiling made the Dillon Schoolhouse a landmark.

Dillon is known to be the town that couldn’t stay put.  Dillon was moved three times; once to be closer to the railroad, and twice more beginning in 1956 to make room for the new Dillon reservoir.  Several of Dillon’s buildings were moved to the new site of Dillon while others were moved to Silverthorne.

The schoolhouse, which had become a church in 1910, was moved to the new town of Dillon in 1962.  Ten years later, the building became the Dillon Schoolhouse Museum.  The schoolhouse now contains many items including McGuffy desks, Heath Readers, slates and chalk, and many more turn of the century items.

Outside the schoolhouse is a small cabin from the 1930’s.  A cabin like this was typical during the depression when there were no jobs to be found.  Known as a “survival” cabin, one man, by himself, could build this type of home using trees from the forest.  He could then live off wild game or fish from the local rivers.

Next to the “survival” cabin is the Lula Myers Ranch House.  Although this two-story house is only 16’ x 24’ and appears quite small, it feels much bigger inside.  The home was built by Charles Delker in 1885 under the Federal Homestead Act.  Originally located near the Snake River in Keystone, the home was moved to its present location in 1976.

When Lula Myers, the local school teacher, and her husband Dirk decided to retire in 1924, they moved into the Delker home and became its second owners.  Dirk and Lula had many parties and social events in this home.

Today the town of Dillon has a year-round population of just less than 3000.  During the winter season, when many people arrive for their annual Colorado vacation, the population peaks to about 5000.

The Town of Dillon has a small town charm, but is full of activity all year long.   Summers in Dillon are the best, with boating on Lake Dillon, free Nature Nights, Friday Farmers Markets and weekend concerts at the Lake Dillon Amphitheatre.  There are also many restaurants, retail and services in Dillon.

Directions: The Dillon Schoolhouse is located at 403 La Bonte Street in Dillon.