Blast from Colorado’s Past: Rifle Postcard from the 1940s
This postcard is a blast from Colorado's past. Look at this postcard of Rifle's Main Street from the 1940s.
Rifle is an hour away from Grand Junction, right in between Parachute and Glenwood Springs. The town of Rifle was founded in 1882 and incorporated in 1905.
Rifle got its name from Rifle Creek, which got its name from a trapper leaving his rifle by the creek, and coming back the next day to find it in the same spot.
The new railway line was introduced to Rifle in 1889, which brought more people to the town. Rifle has always been a ranching town and still is to this day. Their economy is also based on oil shale recreated and outdoor recreation, according go the Historial Photos of Fruita & Western Colorado Facebook.
The current population of Rifle is 9,661 and Harvey Gap and Rifle Gap State Park are close by.
Let's take it back to the 1940s when this blast from Colorado's past was taken. The postcard shows Rifle's Main Street and 'business section' of the town. The street is lined with very cool cars and the backdrop is just gorgeous.
You can spot several signs in the postcard. There's a Conoco, a hardware store, several cafes and bars, and a hotel too.
Let us know how you think Rifle has changed, or stayed the same, in the last 70 years in the comments.