A thumbnail history of Greeley

A very condensed history of Greeley from founding to today. If you want to explore the city history in more depth, follow the link at the bottom of this page for a comprehensive history.

Greeley began as a joint-stock colonization company in 1869 in New York City. Named ‘Union Colony’ to reflect Nathan Meeker's call to "unite" with people sharing common goals, colonists were required to have money to last the first year and sign on for a way of life requiring temperance, cooperation, agriculture, irrigation, education, faith, and home and family. While 737 were initially recruited, 480 souls moved to Greeley in 1870.

Community irrigation ditches were dug, artesian wells were drilled, and coal mines provided fuel. By 1886, Greeley had sewer lines, an electric plant and manufactured gas.

Railroads brought people, supplies, livestock, household items, and luxuries. Residents built tanneries, canneries, stockyards, mills, warehouses, and ice houses. By 1888 90,000 acres were irrigated. Schools and adult educational groups were started, and the State Normal School opened in 1890. The population swelled to over 8,000 and The Tribune called Greeley “The Athens of the West.”

The Greeley Sugar Company opened their beet processing factory in 1902. Prohibition was adopted from 1916-1933, but lasted until 1969 in Greeley. Denver and Greeley were Colorado’s first major cities linked by concrete pavement, and in 1929 Greeley’s design and zoning plan was developed by Denver’s landscape architect and city planner.

KFKA was the first licensed radio station in Colorado in 1921, and is fifth oldest in the nation. Greeley created long-range plans between 1954 and 1971, including purchase of additional units of diversion water and was first to create a Department of Culture for a museum, library, and adult education programs.

After WWII, Monfort’s expanded their family farm into an international, multi-billion dollar feeding, processing, and shipping corporation. By 1964 Monfort of Colorado had the most technologically advanced cattle and lamb slaughtering facility in the nation, doubling its 1961 size.

Highway 85 connecting Denver, Greeley and Cheyenne, was re-routed around downtown in 1963 and 8th Avenue became Business 85. Aims Community College was established in 1967 as a two-year comprehensive college. By 1970, 39,000 people lived and worked on nine square miles of area. In 2000, conservation and water resource projects became a regional priority. Greeley’s diverse water supply could support an estimated population of over 200,000.

Greeley was designated an All America City in 1987, and voter support for quality of life (2002) and public safety projects (2004) came amidst population and area growth of the city (now 45.7 square miles). UNC (12,314 students, 2005), maintains its focus on teacher education, has an award winning school of business, and excellent nursing and music programs. North Colorado Medical Center celebrated its centennial in 2004. An Hispanic minority comprised 35% of Greeley’s population in 2006, and contributes to all community endeavors.

National attention focused on Greeley briefly during President Bush’s two visits (2004/2006). The city was designated a Preserve America Community in 2005. In 2006, Greeley continues to be a prosperous agriculturally-based community of 89,900 people committed to its founding principles and the pioneer spirit of residents coming together to help each other (“better together”) is still active.

Want more info? Go to the Historical Timeline