Elizabeth, CO: Historic downtown with big hats, mini donuts, and so much more!
July 2023: We recently spent a lovely afternoon exploring the historic and charming Main Street of Elizabeth (population 1,675*). The town of Elizabeth is the county seat of Elbert County, and is considered part of the Denver metro area. We loved how a wide variety of local businesses now reside in beautifully restored historic buildings.
Elizabeth – a Brief History
Elizabeth began in 1855 as a saw mill camp operated along the bank of Running Creek. Settlers steadily move in, to work the land. After the original camp site was flooded, the Town was moved to its present location. Elizabeth, then called Russellville, was located on a transportation route to Denver. The economic activity of the Town revolved around logging, farming, cattle ranching and dairy farming and prosperity continued for the remainder of the century. The Town was incorporated in1890 and had a population of 300.
By 1901, Elizabeth had several businesses offering general merchandise, lumber, creamery products, feed and other services. The railroad changed ownership and became known as the Colorado and Southern Railway.
The community prospered until 1921 when the slump in the regional economy occurred, hitting local ranchers. The depression of the 1930’s further aggravated the economic problems of the area. For the next thirty years, the Town suffered an economic decline. The population of the community declined from 326 in 1920 to 250 in 1960.
Transportation improvements in the region in 1960’s brought the community closer to the Denver metropolitan area and the community population began to grow slightly. This population growth also resulted in a shift in character of the community. Elizabeth found itself in the position of becoming a “bedroom” community as much as one composed of rural, agricultural workers. Questions around growth and development continue as an active community discussion.
The common ground between growth and maintaining rural character is summed up in the Elizabet Vision Statement:
“Elizabeth is a rural small town working together to build a dynamic, innovative, and responsibly developed community that will fulfill the needs of the residents and businesses both now and for future generations to come.”
Welcome to Elizabeth | Elizabeth Colorado (townofelizabeth.org)
Never had a mini donut? They are delicious!
We began our visit at the Small Town Mini Donuts store. We bought 6 Classic style and 6 Signature style donuts to take home – but after trying one, we ended up eating the whole bunch. In a word…. YUM! The business is located at the front desk of a historic hotel building that is also home to a couple other businesses.
- SMALL TOWN MINI DONUTS – Google Maps – we definitely recommend these tasty treats~
Visit Powder River Hat Company to order your own custom crafted cowboy hat
Down the Main Street from the donut shop is a historic set of buildings containing the Powder River Hat Company. We didn’t stop by, but think this unique business fits perfectly into the Elizabeth Main Street vibe.
Nothing better symbolizes the American West than the cowboy hat. With over 20 years of experience, hat maker Brook Briddle believes there is only one way to make a hat; the traditional way. Each hat is custom fit and hand crafted start to finish by Brook; using only the highest quality true beaver hat bodies.
“We don’t just stamp ’em out, we build the hat you’ve always wanted”
Powder River Hats | Our Store
Enjoy drink and conversation in a variety or restored historic buildings
After eating all of our mini donuts, we continued eating and shopping our way down Main Street. Before visiting the Elizabeth Brewing Company, we decided to stop by the Carriage Shoppes Tea Room to get sandwiches. Good call! The take-out sandwiches were fantastic. Plus it gave us the opportunity to see the cute Tea Room, which we would love to visit in the future.
However, we were on a mission to try a beer at the Elizabeth Brewing Company! The Brewery is located in an old historic building – see the photo of the building history plaque – it was a brewery back in a former life! The tanks are in the main floor and the tasting room is upstairs. There is also a spacious outdoor patio. We each ordered a Porter, perfect on a hot summer day.
Our final stop for the day was at the Coffee House on Main Street. We enjoyed the coffee and also the nice shop co-located in another beautifully restored historic building.
- Carriage Shoppes Tea Room – Google Maps – we had terrific take-out sandwiches! next time we will stay for tea…
- The Elizabeth Brewing Company – Google Maps – We LOVE a local craft brewery! Really good beer and we enjoyed the tasting room vibe
- Coffee House on Main Street – Google Maps – Good coffee! Fun shopping!
Lots of local shopping options
In between our stops for snacks, we had a great time visiting the surprising number of shops along the Main Street! All were in historic buildings (often with informational plaques) offering a wide variety of shopping options.
- Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Company – Google Maps – We recognized this business from our own local grocery store! They have a wide variety of candy, snacks and fun merchandise. We learned their manufacturing facility is in nearby Parker, CO.
- The Nest at the 1897 House – Google Maps – a complex of multiple historic buildings, with multiple boutiques (Mama Tried, The Well, etc) a unique and fun variety of merchandise displayed in fun ways, including a cut camper trailer.
- Twigs – 338 Main St – Google Maps – looked to us like this is a relatively new shop with very nice things; we got a brochure indicating craft classes which look like great fun
- The Carriage Shoppes – Google Maps – This is a marketplace co-habiting the Team Room. Lots and lots of lovely merchandise!
- Antelope Alpacas And Fiber Arts Center – Google Maps – My personal favorite… i love a good yarn store 🙂
Carriage House Shoppes 
Carriage House Shoppes 
Historic Section House 
Historic Section House | home of Twigs shop 
Twigs shop art space 
The Next at the 1897 House 
The Nest at the 1897 House 
The Nest at the 1897 House 
Yarn and Alpaca fiber store! 
Antelope Alpacas Fiber Arts Center 
Antelope Alpacas Fiber Arts Center 
Elizabeth Mercantile | Home of Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Company 
Elizabeth Mercantile historic plaque 
Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Company
Events to consider
The town of Elizabeth has a variety of community events that look like fun!
- Friday Night Market – all summer
- Birthday Bash Movie Night – August
- Historic Main Streek 5K and Family Color Run – September
- Historic Walk and Talk – September
- Wine in the Pines – October
- Mayor’s Tree Lighting ceremony – December
More to Explore!
An online search of the town of Elizabeth provides insight into a number of interesting programs that support a vibrant historic downtown.
- Elizabeth Main Street Program – “Elizabeth is a member of the Colorado Main Street Program which allows the town access to technical, state, and professional assistance as well as grant and funding opportunities. The intention of the program is to protect, sustain, and revitalize Main Street in downtown Elizabeth through historic preservation, beautification projects, promotion of the local economy, and inviting thoughtful development on Main Street.”
- Main Street Streetscape Project
- Historic Preservation Program
