Before the present day city of Fort Morgan was founded in1919, it was called Camp Wardwell. This fortress was established in 1865 along the Overland Trail to protect emigrants and supplies going to and from Denver and the mining districts. The area was incorporated as a city in 1887. The Fort Morgan Museum tracks the area's history from the Pawnee and other plains Indians to the settlement by farmers and ranchers who found the plains good for grazing and raising wheat. Fort Morgan is the boyhood home of Big Band musician Glenn Miller and the final resting place of author Phillip K. Dick. You can see an extensive exhibit of Miller memorabilia at the museum as well as the Hillrose Soda Fountain used in the 1920s, artifacts from Native Americans and from Germans who immigrated to the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s, as well as plenty of local history curios.
Along Interstate 76 you’ll find Rainbow Bridge. Built in 1922 and 1923, this landmark spans the Platte River and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Additionally, in 1992 it was designated a Colorado Civil Engineering Landmark. Endless horizon greets you along Hwy 14 to Pawnee National Grassland which stretches across the plains from Fort Morgan to the Northeast section of Weld County. Nearby, Jackson Lake State Park is one of Colorado's finest outdoor recreation and water sports sites, offering a plethora of activities such as boating, waterskiing, fishing and swimming to be enjoyed on the 2,700 surface-acre lake. During the winter, the park offers camping, wildlife observation, photography, ice fishing, ice skating and hunting. For the advanced linksman, Fort Morgan Golf Course is a beautiful and challenging 18-hole golf course open to the public and adjacent to the Fort Morgan Country Club. Fans of dirt track racing can see 4-6 divisions every Saturday evening at I-76 Speedway. After each day of exploring this city’s history and hidden delights, take satisfaction in knowing you have a convenient location to all the options when you stay at one of our Choice Hotels in Fort Morgan, CO. Book a room online now!