Cobweb Express

Up the Road a Ways!
by Mel McFarland

I recently was asked about a name on a map. The name was not what we see today it was Wheatfield. Widefield's name goes back to the days when the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad was building south to Pueblo in 1873. It was occasionally referred to as Wheatfield. At first there was only a railroad building or two. Widefield School District was set up when the county outlined their first districts in 1874. The district's first school was built along the Pueblo Road (later US 85-87) Over the years it was expanded from a one room frame building to several rooms. Eventually in the 1920's the new large brick building was opened. The district served several dozen families on the area's farms until the 1950's.

In 1954 the first signs appeared on the grassy plains between Widefield and Colorado Springs. There were only a fraction of the people in the area, compared to now. Arrows, several red arrows, as if shot by unknown Indians in a straight line, for all to see. There had been signs of civilization in the area, but what was this? The area had suffered, and would continue to suffer from a tremendous drought. The arrows appeared as part of the early publicity for Security. They were near the Main Street crossing of the two railroad tracks. Near four or five "model homes" were built, illustrating samples of the builder's skill. Originally called American Builders, a new name Sproul Homes appeared on the arrows.

One of the attractions was water. Early on many of the area's farms had discovered water, in massive quantities under the Fountain Valley. Security planned to take advantage of this valuable resource. It was not long before others joined in the idea, and Widefield, named after an early day community, and railroad siding, started to grow, and the story is far from unfinished.

When Security was built there were numerous discussions about the need for schools. Land was set aside for the projected schools, however the Widefield school continued to be used. A new development was started, Widefield Homes a few years later. When Widefield construction started the old brick school, still being used, was now very overcrowded. Over the next few years it was used for various purposes, It was eventually replaced by more modern, large facilities. The building was moved away from its original site, and remains today one of the oldest buildings in the Security-Widefield area.

CONTACT THE WRITER • MCMIDLAND@YAHOO.COM

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