Ordinary Ordway, Part 1

   Found myself in Ordway, Colorado the other day. On purpose. 

  See, I had been in Colorado Springs for a job and as I finished up the job early I thought it might be a good idea for me to pay a visit to Ordway being as how it was only 90 miles away over the road. 

   The reason I thought it might be a good idea is to get a look at what all the hubbub was about. Recently the small town had been featured on several news outlets due to the announcement made by Jerry Barber, the Mayor of the 'burg, that as part of an economic revitalization program a number of old, abandoned buildings in the business district were being put up for sale for as little as $3,500.00

   Of course, an offer of a entire commercial building for as little as thirty five hundred dollars catches one's attention, even if that building is 160 miles or so from home. 

  There are of course stipulations that come with an offer like that - buyers have to refurbish the building that they purchase, and have a viable business up and running within three years of the purchase date, or title reverts back to the town of Ordway.

  Those requirements don't read like too much to some people, but refurbishing an older commercial building can get pricey - anywhere from $50 to $200 a square foot, especially if there is HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or gawd forbid, roof repairs to be done.

   Even with that knowledge lurking in the back of my mind, I still decided to drive out there - heck, it would only be three hours give or take for the round trip.

               Driving along Co route 96, this  railroad siding (or is it a spur?) catches the eye

                      Addie's Cafe is the first business noticed near the town of Ordway, right off 96

                                          Addie's appears to be a nice. clean little restaurant

                     Addie's wasn't open however - only transacts business Monday through Friday

                               This little welcome sign is directly across the street from Addie's

    This truck with a sign advertising businesses and attractions was parked just past the welcome sign

   After turning off Co. route 96 onto Colorado Ave (northbound), I crossed over the railroad tracks and into Ordway proper. Ordway is physically a small town - 493 square acres, which is less than a square mile - so I decided to skirt around the entire town before entering the business district. 

   So once I was at the intersection of Colorado Ave and First street I turned left onto First and made for the far western town limits, which would be at County Lane 17, less than half a mile away.

     Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 336, named in honor of John Butler, who died in action in 1942

   Continuing past the VFW I turned onto County Lane 17, with the only structure of real interest there being a cellular communications tower - always a good sign to see one of these built right next to a town, assures one of good communication capabilities (and streaming services, too)

                                                              The Reassuring Cell Tower

   Further on down County Lane 17 as I neared 6th street there was a small grouping of fairly recently built modern homes that looked to be a new(ish) suburban development. Those homes were all built on Sunset Avenue.

                                                                The 'burbs of Ordway

   Turning onto 6th street (because the only thing ahead of me on County Lane 17 was the Crowley County fairgrounds) I caught sight of a building I was certain was a church, though it looked like it had been repurposed as a childcare center. Then again, it could've just been someone's home

                                                   Church? Home? Childcare? I Dunno 

   This is where I'll conclude the first part of my visit to Ordway. More exciting pictures and lame commentary to follow!