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History of Fort Collins, Colorado

Fort Collins, county seat of Larimer County, was originally a military outpost of the United States Army. Fort Collins was built to replace Camp Collins, which had been located on the banks of the Cache La Poudre River and was washed away in the floods of June, 1864. Fort Collins was named after Colonel Collins, who was in charge of the region. The fort was built without any walls. Fort Collins served to protect the Cherokee trail and the Overland Stage Line, which was used for the transportation of mail. With the establishment of Fort Collins, migrants arrived and settled in the vicinity. Even after the fort was decommissioned in 1868, people continued to live in the region. Fort Collins was incorporated in 1873. An important person in the development of Fort Collins was Franklin C. Avery. He planned the city streets and even named them. Avery’s First National Bank and the Akin Live Stock Company were major contributors to the city’s economy. Avery’s grand home still exists today with its olden days artifacts enclosed. Other major historical attractions in the city include Fort Collins Museum, Old Town Square, and the ^Grandview Cemetery^. Another way of experiencing the city’s history is the walking tour of the Old Town. The John and Inez Romero House, hand built in 1927 of adobe bricks, is being converted to the Museo de la Tres Colonias, to tell the story of hispanic immigrants to the Fort Collins area. The Avery House, built in 1879, has been preserved by the Poudre Landmarks Foundation. The Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College opened its doors at Fort Collins in 1870. It developed and expanded, eventually becoming Colorado State University. Larimer County Hospital was established in 1925 as a 40-bed hospital on the outskirts of Fort Collins. It became Poudre Valley Hospital in 1982. The ^Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art^ is housed in the 1911 post office. The Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society works in partnership with the Fort Collins Museum to operate the Fort Collins Municipal Railway, presenting a living history of electric public transportation in Fort Collins.