Fort Morgan

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Fort Morgan, Colorado has a Museum

I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck, were in Fort Morgan.  We previously told you about the great park there.  Yesterday we showed you the famous Rainbow Arch Bridge.  Today let’s look at the museum.

Going to the museum in Fort Morgan, Colorado

Going to the museum in Fort Morgan, Colorado

The eastern plains of Colorado were populated with Native American Indians.

Life of Native American

Life of Native American

This museum has many displays about the Native Americans and the buffalo.   Then things changed in 1881 and 1882 when the railroad arrived.

The railroad arrives in Fort Morgan

The railroad arrives in Fort Morgan

The Union Pacific and the Burlington Route brought people and supplies to the Fort Morgan area.   Soon there were towns and a larger military presence.

More people move to Fort Morgan

More people move to Fort Morgan

The citizens of Fort Morgan and vicinity have always been ready to serve the United States.   During World War II, Fort Morgan Municipal airport housed one of the US Army’s Glider Schools.   Students learned to handle gliders by utilizing small, single engine aircraft and performed dead stick landings.

Fort Morgan is proud of its military past

Fort Morgan is proud of its military past

Student soldiers from across the nation called Fort Morgan home for the 6-week training period.

Like many small towns, the local drug store and soda fountain were a gathering place for all ages.

We would love this soda fountain

We would love this soda fountain

One of those teenagers was Glenn Miller. Glenn Miller was born in Iowa but moved to Fort Morgan with his family.   He played left end on the Fort Morgan High School football team.  In 1920 Glenn was named Best Left End in Colorado.  Glenn is probably the most famous graduate of Fort Morgan High School.   Glenn loved music.

Fort Morgan is proud of Glenn Miller

Fort Morgan is proud of Glenn Miller

The museum has an area dedicated to Glenn Miller.

Tribute to Glenn Miller

Tribute to Glenn Miller

Later The Glenn Miller Orchestra became one of the most popular bands of the big band era.  This museum shares a building with the Fort Morgan library.  We liked this museum and we think you would like it too.  When you are on I-76 Fort Morgan would be a great stop for you.

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Rainbow Arch Bridge in Fort Morgan, Colorado

This is a great bridge.

Rainbow Arch Bridge in Fort Morgan, Colorado

Rainbow Arch Bridge in Fort Morgan, Colorado

I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck, crossed the Rainbow Arch Bridge over the South Platte River in Fort Morgan.  This bridge was built in 1922 and 1923.

Looking through to South Platte River

Looking through to South Platte River

The bridge was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1984.  A few years later, in 1992, Rainbow Arch Bride was designated as a Colorado Civil Engineering Landmark.

One of eleven arches

One of eleven arches

The eleven arches on this bridge are great.   In 1911 James Barney Marsh, an engineer and bridge designer, received the patent for reinforced concrete arch bridges.  This bridge is 1100 feet long and 90 feet wide.

You can see all eleven arches here

You can see all eleven arches here

Rainbow Arch Bridge survived several floods, and now the bridge is open for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Looking through an arch and over the newer road for motorized traffic, to the South Platte River

Looking through an arch and over the newer road for motorized traffic, to the South Platte River

Another road has been built for automobile and regular traffic.

The Rainbow Arch Bridge in Fort Morgan is the only bridge of this type in Colorado and one of the longest in the country.  This bridge, crossing the South Platt River, is on Colorado Highway 52, less than one mile north of I-76 at exit 80.  You should see this bridge.  It is really an architectural masterpiece.

Great bridge and love the street lights

Great bridge and love the street lights

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Riverside Park in Fort Morgan, Colorado

I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck stopped in Fort Morgan, Colorado.

Fort Morgan in eastern Colorado

Fort Morgan in eastern Colorado

We discovered Riverside Park.   Trees, a lake with a fountain and many geese and ducks, lots of green grass, a playground and picnic tables.   All this peacefulness is just a block from I-76.

Lake with fountains

Lake with fountains

When driving on I-76 stop here, relax, have a picnic, enjoy this park.

These ducks came out of the lake to meet us.

Ducks meeting ducks

Ducks meeting ducks

When they realize we were not lunch, they became our friends.   We like the picnic tables by the lake, but if you want shade or shelter from rain,

Eat in the shade on a hot summer day

Eat in the shade on a hot summer day

this pavilion is perfect.

Little humans have so many choices for climbing and playing here.

Great playground equipment for small humans

Great playground equipment for small humans–and 2 ducks.

We tried the slide. It is fun!

This is fun!

This is fun!

There is a swimming pool, closed for the season, and a basketball court.

Many slides for this swimming pool

Many slides for this swimming pool

We really like this park. So do our distant relatives.

So many birds to watch

So many birds to watch

We hope you enjoy Riverside Park, either as a destination, or driving through on I-76. Stop for a break here.