Huerfano County, Colorado
Aguilar Centennial
NOTICE All data and photos on this website are Copyrighted by Karen Mitchell. Duplication of this data or photos is strictly forbidden without legal written permission by the Copyright holder.
Huerfano World June 23, 1994 Centennial
Contributed by Louise Adams

The Town of Aguilar will celebrate its centennial July 2, 3 and 4 with games, entertainment, historical displays, reunions and tours.

The town was incorporated Jan. 18, 1894 with J.H. Hibbitts serving as the first mayor.

The history of Aguilar can be traced back to San Antonio Plaza, the name of the original community consisting of a few adobe homes. San Antonio post office was established in 1875, at which time the first Catholic Church of the same name was built near the site of the present St. Anthony's.

After William M. Schultz built the first store, the settlement was called Schultz Plaza.

In 1863 a stage station was established east of the town, which was known variously as Apishapa or Foster Station.

In 1883, the community of Aguilar had a population of 800 and the residents first voted to incorporate. In 1890 the Aguilar post office was established. It was named for Jose Ramon Aguilar, legislator and county commissioner, who came to the area in 1879.

The bustling little city was enlivened by the many surrounding coal camps and was also the commercial center for ranchers and farmers. By the time of incorporation in 1894, the town boasted 18 businesses, and the boom was on. Growth continued until Aguilar reached a population of 2,000 in the early 1920s.

The Aguilar Centennial Committee has arranged many events to commemorate the town's colorful past.

A historical photo display has been collected and will be open to the public from noon until 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, July 2-3, in the Community Center.

An antique rod and car show begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. The entries will be judged and presentation of trophies will take place at 4 p.m. the same day.

On Saturday, softball games are scheduled during the afternoon, and on Sunday, games in the park. Both Saturday and Sunday there will be music in the park and food and craft booths on Main Street. A dance will start at 8 p.m. Saturday night, also in the park.

Sunday's activities begin with a parade at 10:30 a.m. The theme is "The Good Old Days."

The centennial program will be presented at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the park.

The weekend will conclude with a reunion brunch and tour from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Aguilar School cafeteria. Centennial committee members are Elaine Baudino, Paul Dosen, Carol Ryan and June Valentine. Marie Avila and Felix Avila have researched the mining history of Aguilar and Ted Rousses is the historian for the event.

Return to the Huerfano County Home Page
© Karen Mitchell