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History of Sedalia

Before 1859 only the Ute and Arapahoe Indians and an occasional trapper crossed the Plum Creeks in Douglas County, in the area, which was to become Sedalia. In 1859, D.C. Oakes started a lumber mill on West Plum Creek, cutting and shipping the finished lumber to Denver by horse and wagon. People began to homestead shortly thereafter.

After the Civil War ended in 1865 the village was owned by Judge J. H. Craig and was known as Corral or Round Corral, a cattle holding and shipping area for cattle drives. In 1865 families came, reflecting a broad spectrum of background and origin. Many of the early settlers came with little or no possessions, but they had courage and fortitude. Farms and ranches were settled and many of those pioneers have descendants still residing in the area.

In 1871 the Rio Grande Railroad laid its tracks and the town became known as "Plum" or "Plum Station." The Santa Fe Railroad built their tracks through the town in 1876 complete with a new depot. The name was changed to Sedalia officially in May 1882. Sedalia streets still carry the names of many early pioneer families.

Colorado Telephone Company brought communications into Sedalia. The first telephone lines were the barbwire fences between farms used with old crank box phones. There were sometimes twelve on a party line.

By 1900 the town was a flourishing trading center. Commerce included coal, milk and cheese, cider and apple butter, lumber, railroad ties and stone. Sedalia was the logical overnight stay for people traveling from Denver to Colorado Springs. It also became a favorite outing for bicyclers from Denver.

With prohibition in 1919, Sedalia residents were surrounded by stills tucked away in the hills around the town. Moonshining became a way of life at $25.00 a keg or $5.00 a gallon.

In 1923 electricity was installed in Sedalia and in 1925 U.S. 85, the "new" road from Denver to Colorado Springs was completed. In 1957 Sedalia Water and Sanitation District took control of the entire water system. The village with 37 windmills had become self-sufficient.

Probably the one event that had the most impact on the Village of Sedalia was the flood of June 1965. Seven homes and three public buildings were damaged or completely disappeared under a twenty-five foot wall of water. The first Sedalia School was a frame structure near the present Post Office. It was purchased and moved to the Creek area where it was lost to the flood of 1965. There were twenty students enrolled. In 1891 a new solid stone school opened. It still stands today just south of the present school. It was complete with outdoor toilet and wood stove. In 1912 several rooms were added with running water and stoker furnace. In 1951 it was converted to apartments when the present Sedalia Elementary School opened.

Crossroads Community

Sedalia is a small community of about 1400 residents found just 29 miles south of Denver off Highway 85 / Santa Fe. This Front Range town is an historic crossroads community. Those traveling south on U.S. 85 toward Castle Rock or those looking for adventures in the Pike National Forest will have to pass through Sedalia to get to their destination.

Sedalia, not a small community, is a vast and widespread ranchers' community. There are some ranchers with thousands of acres that back up to the Front Range. If you look down into the valley due west towards the foothills you will see your neighboring rancherÂ’s business and his miles of fencing.

While new communities are being developed on either side of Sedalia, the community has managed to keep many of its quaint qualities. Several older buildings and homes remain in the area and a few craft shops and restaurants are all within walking distance of the town's heart-the old rail line. Sedalia is also known for its for its gourmet restaurant and café’s.

Cherokee Ranch is one structure in Sedalia that's impossible to miss. The Scottish-style castle, which towers on a knoll above town, is filled with art and collections from all over the world. The ranch's famed works include fifteenth- and sixteenth-century European paintings and original drawings by Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Cherokee is also a working cattle ranch with over 3,000 acres of open space.

Those seeking outdoor adventure rather than art will enjoy spectacular fly fishing along the South Platte River west of Sedalia. Fly fishing supplies and worms can be purchased at Jarre Mart in town for all kinds of fishing. Hiking and biking trails and camping facilities also abound throughout the Rampart Range in Pike National Forest, due west of town. Rampart Range Road (67) west of Sedalia - leads to a horse show competition/arena, Devil's Head hiking trails, a vast number of dirt bike trails, camping, and ATV trails. Pastimes in Sedalia include horseback riding, mountain biking, running, and motor crossing.

Perry Park Blvd or Route 105 leads one right through the Southwestern part of Sedalia to Larkspur and south to Palmer Lake. This back road is an extremely popular route for weekend motorcyclists, luxury auto club drivers, and bicyclists. One must be extremely careful on RT. 105 because the view is so scenic that one might forget the road and drive into someone's ranch. It is known for its danger due to its beauty.

There is a great deal to enjoy in Sedalia. Summer lingers here, even after the trees have begun to change color, and there is nothing to beat the spectacular fall colors that are seen here! Cool evenings and northwesterly winds continue to blow into the fall. The views are breathtakingly panoramic - from Pikes Peak on the Southwest, all across the front range up to Long's Peak. The sunsets are to die for!

The area is also teaming with wildlife, including but not limited to: red-tailed hawks, rabbits, squirrels, golden eagles, rabbits, mule deer, huge herds of elk, fox, coyote, mountain lions, and black bears. In the fall especially, one can witness the extraordinary Hunter's Moon where the sun is setting over the purple western slope and the full moon is rising over Dawson Butte in the East. These are the things that residents can see from their living rooms and back yards! The mountains are purple and sometimes capped with snow and it's not yet dark but it is no longer bright. The deer are roaming; surely predators are not far.

With so many things to do, you can leave the cares of the day behind you and experience all the comfort and relaxation awaiting you in this friendly, small town.