In October 1869; Nathan Meeker; the New York Tribune�s agricultural editor; visited the Colorado Territory. Impressed with the scenery; people; climate; and resources; he wrote an article; �A Western Colony;� for the Tribune; inviting principled people with money to invest in a temperance and agricultural colony. Over 3;000 prospective colonists wrote to Meeker. On December 23; Meeker founded the Union Colony; a joint-stock colonization company; and chose 737 of the best applicants as members. In April 1870; the company established the town of Greeley; named for Tribune editor Horace Greeley. Founded on the principles of temperance; religion; education; agriculture; irrigation; cooperation; and family values; Greeley became the Weld County seat in 1877. Agriculture and water development ensured Greeley�s reputation as the �Garden Spot of the State.� Potatoes became its first commercially viable crop. From 1900 to 1950; agricultural expansion ushered in a succession of immigrants; including Germans from Russia; Japanese; Hispanics; and Mexican nationals; looking for work and new opportunities. Greeley�s economy; growth; and diversity remain rooted in the land and its people.
#678699 in eBooks 2016-12-12 2016-12-12File Name: B01N1ICLX8
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