Walsenburg, CO: 6 Great Ways to enjoy the Main Street revitalization Vibe
May 2023: The town of Walsenburg (Population 3,069*) is located off of I25 in southern Colorado, and offers a gateway to the Rocky Mountains, Spanish Peaks, San Juan Valley and the Great Sands National Park via Hwy 160. However, a stop by will show this former coal mining community is working to turn Walsenburg into its own destination!
Walsenburg – A Brief History
The Walsenburg area’s earliest settlers were immigrants from the New Mexico Territory in the mid-1800s, generally of Hispano, indigenous Indian and Anglo ethnicity. Known in its early days as La Plaza de los Leones, named after a well-respected early settler. The town eventually came to be called Walsenburg, after Fred Walsen, an area rancher and community leader. A US Post office called Walsenburg was established in 1870. Walsenburg became the County seat in 1874 and the courthouse on Mian Street was constructed in 1904.
A culture of Coal Mining
Long aware that coal was in the area, the first actual coal mine was established on Fred Walsen’s property and called Walsen Mine. The railroad arrived in the area in 1876 and soon Walsenburg became a thriving coal town. At the height of coal mining era, there were around 50 mines in Huerfano County. Inherently dangerous in the early days, there were a variety of tragic mining accidents which lead to worker unionization and worker strikes. Tensions continued to escalate, resulting in a tragic event called the Ludow Massacre, 22 miles south of Walsenburg where 11 children and 2 women were killed in a tent city when the Colorado National guard opened fire on their encampment. More violence continued, including on the streets of Walsenburg.
Life after coal
At its WWII population height, Walsenburg had almost 6000 residents. Shortly after the war, mines began to close and the population began to drop. Today Walsenburg has just over 3000 residents and is among the lowest-income communities in Colorado. However, the area has a variety of strong assets that the locals use to evolve the economy in a new direction. Local efforts are underway to take full advantage of the town’s natural resources and strategic proximity to the I25 front range corridor and the Spanish Peaks and Rocky Mountains.
Our 6 Favorite ways that the Walsenburg community is upping its Vibe
To be entirely transparent, we have traveled through Walsenburg many times over the years as a convenient gateway to the Rocky Mountains. We decided to use Memorial Day weekend as an opportunity to stop by for an extended visit – and were happy to experience the Main Street transformation underway! Below are our favorites:
1. Craft Beer, Local Coffee and artisan Local Soap: The Crafty Canary, Serendipity Coffee House and the Soapbox
The Crafty Canary Brewery is a terrific example of a business that is leaning into its history while creating a cool community hang-out. It is owned and operated by a team of women who have the place cleverly designed in the theme of a coal mine shaft with a ‘Safety First’ bright yellow canary mascot. The beer is brewed in-house and the colorful mocktails and cocktails invented by the staff. There are games and lots of table space for friends and families alike to enjoy time together. From their facebook page, we know they host many community events.
The Serendipity Coffee House serves coffees, smoothies, teas, ice cream and other treats – plus sells a lot of nice merchandise as well as some local craft jewelry. It’s got a lovely atmosphere, set up in an older historic building. There are places to sit and enjoy your snack with a friend.
Located in a brightly marigold yellow colored historic building, the Soapbox brings another craft to Main Street in the form of locally homemade soap. The owner has lots of scents and bath bombs and shampoo bars as well. She even had lovely decorative crocheted pouches for the soaps. This is a neat space!
2. Walsenburg Mercantile – showcasing local artists, a food court and loft apartments
The Walsenburg Mercantile is a great example of mixed use development, containing a food court (Pizza, deli, bakery), a coffee shop, local arts & crafts shopping… and lofts! It’s got a fun atmosphere with places to sit and eat, drink and visit. Located in a historic building, beautifully renovated – this place is a local gem.
3. Cool Public Art
While leaving The Crafty Canary Brewery, our eye caught a couple of bright murals on the building next door. As we walked closer, we realized it was an entire alley of amazing and colorful paintings. As we looked closer, there are actually many examples of building murals in town – some new and some older. They make awesome photo ops! Learn more about this community collaboration mural program at the FAROUT Murals website.
4. Museum of Friends
The Museum of Friends is a wonderful bit of culture on Main Street. The first floor features traveling art exhibits and the upper floor features a permanent collection. The museum is the brainchild of a local couple who has traveled the world, collecting and creating art, along with pieces from friends and other artists.
5. Enjoy the historic buildings, looking good along Main Street and 6th Street
Walsenburg has many beautiful old buildings from back in the boom days of coal mining. The historic buildings on Main and 6th Street are looking particularly good, with a variety of businesses and services that call them home.
6. Porchfest!
We tend to focus on the vibe of a downtown from an everyday perspective. However, we happened to visit on the weekend of the 1st Annual Walsenburg Porchfest – and love the concept so much, we wanted to include it as a terrific example of a grounds-up way of growing community vibrancy.
Walsenburg is throwing a Porchfest! This grassroots event is powered by the people of Walsenburg, so they’re asking YOU to join in the fun! From yard sales to live music, mural installs to community clean-up, there are myriad ways to get involved. Porchfest is all about filling Walsenburg’s streets with community and supporting local businesses, musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs. More murals will be springing up in the back alleys of town, brought to you by Max Kauffman, and neü folk, and supported by Far Out Murals, Huerfano County, GreenSheen, Like Minded Productions, Crafty Canary and GubGub’s Pizza and Ice Cream.
World Journal
Porchfest is presented in partnership with the Walsenburg Downtown Revitalization Committee and other community partners. It is a grass roots event, powered by the people of Walsenburg.
Walsenburg Porchfest
More to Explore
Walsenburg Downtown Revitalization Committee is working toward the mission of making Downtown Walsenburg Vital and Attractive, by revitalizing the city’s look and visual culture!
There are plenty of additional things to do and see in the area, which is known as Spanish Peaks Region. Regional towns include La Veta and Cuchara Village, as well as historic Walsenburg. To learn more check out the links below.
- Walsenburg downtown walking tour (Audio) – also includes audio tours of local La Veta, the Highway of Legends driving tour an Cuchara Village walking tour
- Highway of Legends driving tour – get audio and see a map calling out the sights along this drive that encircles the Spanish Peaks
