A rainy day was a good time for indoor and in-town activities on my recent road trip to western Colorado. We visited nearby Cedaredge, a small town of a little over two thousand people in the shadow of Grand Mesa. Historic Pioneer Town Museum is a sprawling eclectic mix of buildings and memorabilia evoking an earlier way of life out west. Stepping into the past, we poked into faux stores and museum-like rooms of clothing, framed collections of arrowheads and butterflies, posters of long-gone events and ephemera.
Pioneer Town Museum
The Grand Mesa Art Center, thriving with sponsorship and donors from the community, houses a concert hall with a stage and metal folding chairs, an art gallery, and a small shop with local crafts. Although I’m not much of a gardener or chef, I sat in on an interesting and well-attended lecture at the local library on growing and cooking beans, and left with marigold seeds and a bag of dried pinto beans. My one purchase was a jar of strawberry preserves at a grocery that featured a healthy selection of locally grown foods.
On my way out of town the next morning, I stopped in tiny downtown Eckert. It was too early for the Creamery/antique shop to be open. When I had arrived a few days ago, I drove quickly through Delta, ready to get to my destination. I hadn’t planned to stop in Delta along the route heading back to the highway, until my friend mentioned there were murals.
Eckert
Old car yard, Delta
Downtown Delta
Western Slope road trip: Grand Junction sculpture, Dominguez Canyon, Fruitgrowers Reservoir, Western Slope towns, Colorado National Monument
Please do not download or reproduce images from this site. ©
Your comments are welcome!
Popular posts/stats/categories
Email me at: Ruth@RuthRosenfeld.com
Follow me on: Facebook Instagram BlueSky Blog
Ruth Rosenfeld 
These photos are gorgeous, Ruth!
All of them ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Luisa!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re more than welcome, dear Ruth 😚
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fascinating area – I like all the murals
LikeLiked by 1 person
There seems to be a lot of artists in the area contributing to the public art.
LikeLike
Great street art in Delta, and the old cars almost looked like they had personalities and were laughing and smiling!! Maggie
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, right?! They looked like faces to me, of funny characters. I can see the inspiration for the animated Cars movies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very varied series of photos that take us back in time.
Have a nice weekend and greetings,
Rudi
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed them, Rudi! Hope you are well.
LikeLike
The Director of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra and his wife are spearheading the remodeling and revitalization of the Egyptian Theater. Will visit it soon! Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks like a beautiful historic building. Glad to know it’s being cared for! Thanks, Carol.
LikeLike
Beautiful murals! Small as Cedaredge, Eckert, and Delta were, they offer a rich, historical look into how the Western US developed, and it must be great checking them all out while living in the area!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was interesting and fun to get to know that area. Three artist friends have moved there and I can see what they like it. Thanks for your comment, Rebecca!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really felt like I stepped back in time here. The old historic buildings look very well cared for. I like all the wall murals in the downtown. It adds to the character of the town.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had no idea how large the Pioneer Town Museum was. It is carefully preserved and interesting to explore. The murals in Delta were a surprise as well. They support their local artists.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This area looks like an ideal setting for a great weekend trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was an interesting area to explore for a few days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are such beautiful photos, Ruth – I love the colourful murals and the historic Egyptian Theatre on Delta’s Main Street. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your kind comment, Aiva! Delta was surprisingly more interesting than I expected. Another commenter mentioned that the theatre is being restored.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always enjoy museums like that Pioneer Town and Delta also looks great, especially the street art and old theatre!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I often look for museums like this that preserve diverse buildings from different eras or represent many timelines. Have you ever visited the outdoor museum near Cardiff? Not so far from you… We were there many years ago and it was a charming favorite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
St Fagans? Yes, but very very many years ago! We went to a great one in Washington State a few years ago, in Cashmere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that’s the one. I guess it’s most interesting when it’s a different culture and history! ☺ There was a lovely one in the Japanese countryside west of Tokyo and one in Bucharest I remember.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We never strayed far from the I-70 corridor when we lived in Colorado, which is a shame for discoveries like these little towns. I’ve never seen silos like the ones in Cedaredge but I prefer the look over the perfectly round versions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a big beautiful state. I had never been to this area before, although we camped on Grand Mesa years ago, accessing it from the other side. Those silos are interesting, aren’t they? It must have been quite a project to build them.
LikeLike
What an interesting cruise, a real glimpse into old world and small town America. I do like the mural of the old guy sitting on a seat.
Alison
LikeLiked by 1 person
From across the street, I was wondering why that guy was looking at me! When I got closer, I realized he was painted. I especially liked the murals of old-time shops that also looked real from a distance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your visit!
LikeLike
Wow! What a lovely post – lovely photos and great to hear your experiences
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for your visit and kind comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course! Really enjoyed reading your post
LikeLiked by 1 person