Fort Morgan, Colorado

Fort Morgan is the home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Morgan County, Colorado, United States.  The population at the 2020 census was 11,597.  The estimated population for 2022 was 11,453. 

 History 

A United States military fort was built along the Overland Trail in 1865. It was first named Camp Wardwell.  The fort was built to protect people from attacks by local Native Americans. https://archives.colorado.gov/search/search?keys=Fort+Morgan#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=Fort%20Morgan&gsc.page=1  The next year, it got a new name: Fort Morgan.  In 1868, the fort was closed.  The buildings became ruins over time.

Almost two decades later, on May 1, 1884, the town of Fort Morgan was platted.  In 1889, it was made the county seat of the newly formed Morgan County, Colorado.

During World War II, the town had a military school at the Fort Morgan State Armory. Futrell, Robert F. (July 1947). Development of AAF Base Facilities in the United States: 1939-1945 (Report). Vol. ARS-69: US Air Force Historical Study No 69 (Copy No. 2). Air Historical Office. p. 108 (pdf 117)

In 1970, Morgan County Community College  offered its first classes.  In 1972, it had its first graduation ceremony.  The next year, its name was changed to Morgan Community College (MCC).  In 1978, construction began at its current location on Barlow Road on the east side of the town. Instruction at the new campus began in 1980.  In 2016, MCC was ranked the best community college in Colorado. In 2022, it was ranked the best trade school in the state. https://www.morgancc.edu/about-mcc/history/

In 2023, a reality television called Home Town Takeover  worked with the city to make some changes in the community.
https://heavy.com/entertainment/hgtv/home-town-takeover-fort-morgan-drama/  https://www.fortmorgantimes.com/2023/03/16/hgtvs-home-town-takes-fort-morgan-viral-in-april/https://www.etonline.com/inside-home-town-takeovers-massive-renovation-of-fort-morgan-colorado-exclusive-188225https://www.hgtv.com/shows/home-town-takeover/articles/season-2-location-announcementhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXBDFLp4t1g

 Economy 
Fort Morgan's economy is mostly agricultural.

In 2017, there were 297 employer firms.

Cargill has a meatpacking plant on the eastern edge of the town.  It has about 2,000 workers.  Western Sugar has its main plant in Fort Morgan.  Other major companies are Leprino Foods cheese factory, Dairy Farmers of America milk-processing facility, and Smirks,  a seed-processing company.

 Education 

 High school 
There are three high schools in Fort Morgan.

 Higher education 
 The main campus of Morgan Community College is in Fort Morgan.
 The Colorado Biblical University is centered in Fort Morgan. Its location is in the former Lincoln School, 914 State Street, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
 Harvest University is a school offering a master's in divinity.   It is located in a former middle school.

 Cultural resources 

 The city has a public library and a history museum.  Both are located just north of the downtown.

 Transportation 

 Rail 
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service through Fort Morgan, operating its California Zephyr daily in both directions between Chicago and Emeryville, California, across the bay from San Francisco.

References

Category:County seats in Colorado
Category:Cities in Colorado

Category:1887 establishments in the United States
Category:1880s establishments in Colorado