Sites to See
Rainbow Bridge
The Rainbow Bridge in Fort Morgan, one of the famous Marsh Arch Bridges, is one of the largest in the United States and the only one of this type in Colorado. The bridge is just north of I-76 on 52.
This reinforced concrete 11 arch bridge, spanning the South Platte River, was built in 1923 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Additionally, in 1992 it was designated a Colorado Civil Engineering Landmark. This bridge has survived major floods and in 1935 braced a 10 foot wall of water virtually undamaged.
Today it is used for foot traffic and offers a beautiful view of the South Platte River.
Museums
Explore several unusual museums, including the Knearl School Museum and All Saints Church in Brush, the U.S. Military Museum and the Fort Morgan Museum in Fort Morgan.Fort Morgan Museum | Military Museum | Brush Museum and Cultural Center
FORT MORGAN MUSEUM
The Fort Morgan Museum offers a wonderful view into life in Morgan County and across the Northeast Plains.
With exhibits featuring Native American artifacts, as well as exhibits celebrating our agricultural roots, the Museum serves as testimony to the varied history of our community. An exhibit on Glenn Miller, Fort Morgan’s most popular alumni, contains photos of Glenn as a young man and teenager. Miller graduated from Fort Morgan High School in 1921. The refurbished Soda Fountain from the old Hillrose Drug Store is a favorite exhibit of the museum.
The museum also includes an exhibit hall for traveling exhibits. Exhibits change 6-7 times/year.
Regularly Scheduled Events:
- Museum Mornings, 3rd Sat of month, includes tours to local sites
- Brown Bag Luncheons, 2nd Tuesday of month, Original Presentations by speakers, authors, historians, etc.
Fort Morgan Museum is located at 414 Main Street. For more information, call 970-542-4010 or visit the city website (under Departments M-Z)
MILITARY MUSEUM
Located at 404 State Street in Fort Morgan, the US Military Historical Museum honors the men and women who have served our Country. Enter this museum and you will be transformed into a past rich in history and dedication to our nation. The museum features items from every American war.
Visitation of the museum is on an appointment only basis. Call 970-867-5520 to make an appointment to visit this wonderful addition to our community.
BRUSH MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER
Take a step back into Brush history at the museum and school located in Brush Memorial Park. Some of the historical facts about Brush that you'll learn about include:
- horse racing
- black gold
- sugar beets
- a facility for tuberculosis patients
- cattle feeding operations
Hours
Mar 17-Nov 15:Fri/Sat: 10am-4:30pm
Sun: 1-4:30pm
For more info, call 970-842-0382
Barn Quilts
Using paint and plywood rather than thread and fabric, barn quilts feature colorful quilt block patterns. Visit these delightful displays hanging throughout Morgan County. Be sure to download our brochure (PDF) with a list of all the displays arround the county.
Pawnee National Grassland & Pawnee Buttes
Pawnee National Grassland sprawls across the plains from Fort Morgan to the Northeast section of Weld County. The endless horizon along the route is something to marvel. The landscape has it’s own distinct and fragile beauty. It is not uncommon to see a wide variety of wildlife along the way!
As you glance across the endless horizon, you will see the magnificent sentries of the plains. The Pawnee Buttes. A stark contrast to the vast openness of the surrounding landscape. Rising over 250 feet above the plains, the eroded columns of sandstone have resisted eons of natural forces that have eroded the surrounding area.
A dirt road leads to the spectacular Pawnee Buttes overlook and trial head. The 1.5 mile trail (non-motorized use only) maintained by the Forest Service, leads to the base of the West Butte.
The tops of the Buttes were once continguous with the surface of the Chalk Bluffs to the north. They are now detached remnants of the High Plains surface.
Pawnee Buttes are located north of Fort Morgan. Go north on 52 from Fort Morgan and follow the County Roads indicated on map below.
Scenic and Historic Byway
This region is a vast open textbook of nature with its own distinct and fragile beauty. The Byway offers historic attractions and recreation areas along the roadways. Visitors can experience solitude and explore nature through bird watching, wildlife study, photography, and hiking.
- History
- Communities
- Travel Tips
Trappers and traders followed the Trappers Trail (an old Indian route) along Crow Creek en route to Ft. Laramie, Wyoming. The Texas-Montana Cattle Trail traversed this region. From 1859 the Soth Platte Branch of the OVerland Trail was an important "gold rush" route int Colorado's Rocky Mountains prior to the railroads.
Railroad construction contributed to the settlement of the area between 1869-1909. The Denver-Pacific Railroad, completed in 1870, linked Denver with Union Pacific Railroad in Cheyenne, Wyoming.l Many communities, including Ault sprouted along the route from Denver to Cheyenne.
On December 13, 1887, 105 miles of track opened between Sterling and Cheyenne. As a result the towns of Willard, Stoneham, Raymer, Buckingham, Keota, Sligo, Grover, adn hereford were born along what eventually became the route of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quicny Railroad, affectionately dube3d the "Prairie Dog Special."
Eventually, passenger service declined and in 1970 the Sterling-Cheyenne Branch route was discontinued and the rails removed by 1980.
Sterling
In 1873, families from Tennessee and Mississippi settled farmland along the Overland Trail and in 1875 established twelve homesteads near present day Sterling. In 1881, Minos King offered the Union Pacific Railroad 80 acres of land in exchange for buliding a round house, depot and hotel. Sterling was platted and became the junction of the Union Paciic and Burlington Railroads.
Settlers of old Sterling moved to the new town by 1883, and the community was incorporated the following year.
Sterling is the eastern access to the Byway.
Fort Morgan
Plated in 1884 and located in a plateau bove the Soth Platte River, Fort Morgan is named for the military post established in 1864. The fort protected the mail and telegraph routes and stagecoach passengers traveling through Colorado Territory along the South Platte branch of the Overland Trail.
The Rainbow Bridge spanning the South Platte River at Hwy. 52 is the souther entrance to the Byway. Listed on the National Historic Places, it is one of the longest rainbow arch designs in the U.S., and the only example west of the Mississippi River.
Stoneham
New Raymer
Briggsdale
Ault
Ault is the western gateway to the Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic and History Byway.
Developed as a siding along the Union Pcific Railroad, the town was first named McALlister, then in 1889 was renamed Burgsdor, both after prominent railroad officials. Commercial and residential development began in 1897 when the Pence family arrived and built the first store. A year later, the town became Ault, in honor of Alexander Ault, a Ft. Collins grain merchant. In 1907, three fires within seven weeks destroyed most ofhte building along Main Street; nevertheless, the community ha continued to develop over the years.
Additional community and historical infomration is available in the Cabooswe Park at the intersectino of Colo. Hwy. 14 and U.S. Hwy 85, the local library and Town Hall.
Grover
- Bring driking water/appropriate clothing since weather conditions can change rapidly
- Use binoculars to observe wildelife. Young animals and birds must not be distrubed.
- From March 1-June 30 the North overlook and cliffs near the Pawnee Buttes are closed to the public by the Forest Service for raptor nesting protection.
- Climbing on the Buttes and other cliffs is discouraged due to crumbling sandstone.
- Collecting artifacts, vertebrate fossils, arrowheads or barn wood robs our heritage and is prohibited on Pawnee National Grassland.
- Take trash home or use the designated receptacles.
- Be alert for livestock on roads since much of the area is open range.
- Remain on the designated Byway route to avoid trespassing on intermixed private lands. A map is recommended if visitng the Pawnee National Grassland.
- Avoid traveling the graveled routes during bad weather since they are dangerous when wet. See map for alternate routes.
Jackson Lake
Once known primarily for the hunting around its banks, Jackson Lake State Park has become one of Colorado's finest outdoor recreation and water sports sites.This State Park features:
- 2,700 surface-acre lake
- warm-water with sandy bottom and shore
- 260 campsites
- 60 picnic sites
Summer Activities
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Winter Activities
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For more Information call Jackson Lake State Park at 970-645-2551 or visit the Jackson Lake State Park website.
Prewitt Reservoir | Wildlife Sanctuary
Prewitt Reservoir
Prewitt Reservoir is a plains lake located in the northeastern part of Colorado. There are no amenities at Prewitt besides a primitive restroom. A road lines most of the perimeter, and shore fishing is easily accessible outside of the private land to the southwest of the lake which is clearly marked.
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Activities
- boating
- hunting
- fishing
- camping
- wildlife viewing
- Hunting
- waterfowl
- pheasant
- quail
- deer
Directions
From the Merino exit off I-76 (exit 102), go one mile north to CO 6 and turn right (east). The main entrance is 3.5 miles down CO 6 on the right.Wildlife Sanctuary
America's Premier Sanctuary For Large Carnivores
This Sanctuary has been rescuing exotic wildlife and endangered species since 1980, and is currently home to more than 210 Lions, Tigers, Bears, Jaguars, Leopards, Mountain Lions, Lynx, Bobcats, Servals, Wolves, and other wildlife.
The residents of the Wild Animal Sanctuary were abandoned, abused, illegally kept, or came from other terrible situations. The vast majority of the animals were so-called "pets" - and were confiscated by law enforcement officials - usually within the first six months of their lives. The Sanctuary also provides permanent refuge to surplus animals from zoos and other wildlife facilities.
Visit Wild Animal Sanctuary