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Old 01-10-2012, 08:01 AM
 
Location: Southeastern Colorado
352 posts, read 798,254 times
Reputation: 577

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Happy New Year to you, CAVA!

Here are some more photos. None of them, of course, does justice to our little corner of the world...

Branson Land & Sky.jpg

Branson Rush Hour.jpg

Branson Neighbors.jpg

Branson Train & Mesa.jpg

Branson Post Office.jpg

Branson School.jpg
Attached Thumbnails
Seeking a rural, SE ranch town w/grasslands & mesas?-branson-land-sky.jpg   Seeking a rural, SE ranch town w/grasslands & mesas?-branson-rush-hour.jpg   Seeking a rural, SE ranch town w/grasslands & mesas?-branson-neighbors.jpg   Seeking a rural, SE ranch town w/grasslands & mesas?-branson-train-mesa.jpg   Seeking a rural, SE ranch town w/grasslands & mesas?-branson-office.jpg  

Seeking a rural, SE ranch town w/grasslands & mesas?-branson-school.jpg  
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Old 01-10-2012, 08:54 AM
 
Location: OKLAHOMA
1,789 posts, read 4,346,496 times
Reputation: 1032
Loved your rush hour photo! Got many 60 year olders out there?
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Old 01-10-2012, 09:14 AM
 
Location: Southeastern Colorado
352 posts, read 798,254 times
Reputation: 577
Hey, Debbie. Nice to hear your voice again...

Most definitely. Like many small rural towns, Branson is "greying." As you know from all your research and visits around Colorado, the access to health care question is a somewhat challenging one. Folks here get their basic medical care taken care of in Trinidad or Raton (both about an hour away), and travel to Pueblo or Colorado Springs for more specialized needs. Right now, we've got two area households receiving "comfort care" from the Sangre de Cristo Hospice & Palliative Care group, plus about three other households who are having to face the reality of having some kind of in-home care assistance. A number of us feel confident that if someone with home health certification and experience came to town, he/she could probably put together a livable income - especially if they can also do a bit of cooking/driving/other assistance.

Those of us in the 40ish to 60ish age group are the ones having the real fun -- organizing local events, walking/hiking, volunteering to help out at the school or our growing community library and bookstore. Some active, self-reliant folks like you and your DH could have the best of both worlds -- enjoying the peace and quiet of Branson and then visiting Trinidad, Raton, even Santa Fe, when you need the nourishment of art, music, entertainment, restaurants, etc.

Still hope you'll visit us on your next trip to CO. We'll get you set up at the guesthouse and hook you up with some ranchers who speak your language...
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Old 01-11-2012, 07:59 AM
 
Location: Back in COLORADO!!!
839 posts, read 2,418,149 times
Reputation: 1392
Looks like a little slice of heaven......

If I was in a different place in my life, I would seriously consider it.

Thanks for posting the pics!
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Old 01-11-2012, 09:13 AM
 
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
14,129 posts, read 31,273,309 times
Reputation: 6921
Bo, was there a train depot there at one time? If so, is the building still there?
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Old 01-11-2012, 10:20 AM
 
Location: Southeastern Colorado
352 posts, read 798,254 times
Reputation: 577
Hey CAVA,

Branson was originally founded as a railroad town -- first named Wilson's Switch, then named Coloflats, then finally named Branson after Josiah Branson, one of the early "developers" of the town. The depot is long gone, but in the 19-teens and twenties, Branson bustled with about 1,000 residents, lumber yards, markets, pool hall, hotels, you name it. Both passenger and freight trains came through; people sent their cream on to the creamery (Trinidad, I believe).

Like many rural towns, the near-death knell was sounded by the Dust Bowl, Depression, drought, rise of the automobile/decline of the railroad. Homesteaders found quickly that they just couldn't get enough crops out of their 320 acres even to feed their families, so people turned to ranching instead. The commercial area of Branson burned down twice in the '20s -- which is why we don't have one of those sad-looking downtowns you see in a lot of old country towns. Far as I know, there's only one former commercial building standing, and it's now a private residence.

BTW, GreenScout, you can always visit us on your way back home, even if you can't stay forever...

Old Branson Depot.jpg

(Branson) Wilson Fair 1917.jpg
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Old 01-11-2012, 01:28 PM
 
Location: OKLAHOMA
1,789 posts, read 4,346,496 times
Reputation: 1032
Your links didn't work. I love the history of that area/Trinidad/Cimarron area.
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Old 01-11-2012, 02:24 PM
 
18,228 posts, read 25,885,077 times
Reputation: 53489
"Invalid attachment specified."

That was the same message I got as well Deb!

That part of Colorado/New Mexico is an area I've always liked as well.
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Old 01-11-2012, 03:09 PM
 
Location: Southeastern Colorado
352 posts, read 798,254 times
Reputation: 577
Sorry about that. This should work. Thanks for the heads-up!


(Branson) Wilson Fair 1917.jpg

Old Branson Depot.jpg
Attached Thumbnails
Seeking a rural, SE ranch town w/grasslands & mesas?-branson-wilson-fair-1917.jpg   Seeking a rural, SE ranch town w/grasslands & mesas?-old-branson-depot.jpg  
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Old 01-11-2012, 06:33 PM
 
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
14,129 posts, read 31,273,309 times
Reputation: 6921
Quote:
Originally Posted by bovinedivine View Post
then named Coloflats
Yeah that one was a flop.
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