Platteville

Platteville is named after the South Platte River which lies to the west of town and "ville" which is French for "city" or "village." The town began in 1871 when a group of settlers and railroad agents got together to start a colony. A colony, in this case, was a group of people who bought a large amount of land from the Denver Pacific Railway, which ran through here, and still does, going eventually from Denver to Cheyenne, Wyoming. They platted the colony by having a map drawn which shows where streets are to be, and where houses and businesses can be built within the blocks.

Platteville was chosen for its prime location along the South Platte River which had plenty of water for crops and trees. It had an abundance of water for drinking by wells that were dug in the early years. The railroad made it easy to have items shipped in and out. An abundance of trees made lumber available for building as well as clay for bricks. A brick yard was built just east of the tracks. It also had coal beds to the southeast of the town.

The Platteville colony started May 27, 1871. Lots in the colony were just about sold within one year. The first Post Office opened in 1875 in the hotel. The Mizpah Cemetery was started in 1873 to the east of the railroad tracks. The town newspaper was started in 1885, and was named the Platteville Record. Schools began in the 1860's outside town. In 1871, a town school took over for Hammitt's School at or near Fort Vasquez. Two lots in Block 38 in Platteville were set aside for a school building. There was a brick high school building in town by 1908, and Platteville was one of only 5 districts in Weld County by 1907 to have a high school.

Platteville was known for its town event every year which drew neighboring communities to town. It began in 1911 and was called Pickle Day because cucumbers were grown in this area. In 1973 its name was changed to Harvest Daze in celebration of all the crops harvested in the Platteville area.

Gilcrest

The site where current day Gilcrest sits was once just a railroad station called Nantes. In 1905, Mr. William F. Hines decided to build a general store next to the railroad siding. His father, J.K. Gilcrest, owner of Gilcrest Lumber Company, Des Moines, Iowa, wanted to establish his son in a new community by buying land and starting a bank. Mr. Gilcrest acquired a depot for the new town in 1907, as well as having the town name changed to Gilcrest. The depot was built in 1908. The Gilcrest State Bank was built and operated by W.K. Gilcrest. The small town also boasted a physician, Dr. J.M. McDonald. The telephone exchange building was built in 1914. When the Post Office was established in May 1907, with E.W. Rogers as Postmaster, the population was 70 people. Electricity was supplied by the Home Light and Power Company.

In the early 1900's, sugar beets, corn, beans, tomatoes, cabbage, peas, spinach and other garden crops grew well in the area. Potatoes made the area famous and Gilcrest became "The Heart of the Early Potato District." Trucks eventually replaced wagons with Highway 85, running parallel to the Union Pacific tracks. The highway was paved in 1924.

The Baptist Church fire in 1949 and a fire at Ernie's Club Cafe in 1953 prompted the organization of a fire protection district. The town's first effort was distributing fire extinguishers and placing the fire siren on Town Hall in 1949. Gilcrest joined LaSalle Fire Protection District and later the Platteville District. The volunteer fire department was organized in 1960. The fire house was built in 1967 and the first truck was acquired in 1968.

By 1959, School Districts 29, 65, 84, 97 and 118 became the first school districts in Weld County to consolidate under Senate Bill #385 and become School District RE-1, Weld County. Valley High School opened in 1968 in Gilcrest.

LaSalle

LaSalle is located approximately five miles south of the county seat, Greeley. This community is one anyone would be proud to call home. With Highway 85 routed through the center of town, five major cities are easily accessible within a sixty-five mile radius: Denver, Greeley, Fort Collins, Boulder and Cheyenne, Wyoming. The town's location is close enough to be convenient, yet far enough away to maintain that special quality of life that LaSalle residents have grown to appreciate.

LaSalle has a friendly atmosphere and many conveniences that are quite conducive to raising a family. Though small in some estimation with a population of 1,943, LaSalle offers quality that can't be beat. LaSalle, incorporated in 1910, was named after LaSalle Street, the main railroad street in Chicago, Illinois. Union Pacific Railroad has historically been involved in the growth of LaSalle. The town emblem bears a train on it. The history of the Union Pacific in Northern Colorado and LaSalle's history parallel each other, giving great importance to the LaSalle depot built in 1910.

The Union Pacific Depot, one of the oldest buildings in LaSalle, was formally donated to the town in 1982. Restoration of the Depot has enabled this community to utilize the building for senior and recreation activities. Officially named the Maurice McMahan Community Center, this building is available to rent for groups and organizations all through the year.

The Town of LaSalle has an annual community day celebration the first Saturday following the Fourth of July. LaSalle Day is a daylong event, featuring a parade, barbeque, mud volleyball, street dance and many activities the whole family can enjoy. Included in the events of LaSalle Day, the Town of LaSalle hosts an annual 3-mile "Railroad Fun Run" for all ages.