A wide bench carved by Bear Creek near the hogback first attracted George Morrison’s attention as a potential townsite. The creek also provided a passable route to move people and supplies into the goldfields to the west. The town of Morrison got its start in 1872 when a group of Denver businessmen headed by Colorado Governor John Evans incorporated the Denver and South Park Railway. A narrow gauge railroad was built west from the Platte River to Morrison. In 1874, the town was officially platted.
In 2024, the town celebrated its sesquicentennial, proving its durability 150 years from those early days. The town’s history falls roughly into 50-year chunks, which we’ve outlined as follows:
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Early Morrison 1872-1930
Morrison’s first 50 years or so were bustling times, with industry and development taking center stage. Morrison’s handy location and access to resources brought the railroad, which ensured the town’s growth for a time through tourism and commerce. The original … Continue reading → Continue reading…
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Mid-Century Morrison 1931-1984
Following a disastrous fire and repeated floods in the 1930s, Morrison’s economy settled into quieter times. Large families established multi-generational lineages as people settled and stayed, representing “hard-working, middle class western America.” The town was further described, in the 1975 … Continue reading → Continue reading…
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Millennial Morrison 1985-2024
Beginning in the late 1980s, Morrison shifted subtly toward a modern demographic, as new business and residential owners brought new ideas and connections to urban areas in the east, and the town became more of a “bedroom community,” with most residents employed … Continue reading → Continue reading…
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What’s Ahead?: Morrison’s Future
Morrison entered 2025 on the road to major changes. The Town Board demolished both its Police Department and its Planning Commission (including the Historical Commission). Several property owners proposed major revisions with one, demolition of the Tom Lewis House (#10) … Continue reading → Continue reading…
Morrison History 