The Smoky Hill Trail

Source: http://www.smokyhilltrail.com/maps.htm

The Smoky Hill Trail was a 592 mile stagecoach trail from Atchison KS to Denver, CO, in use from 1855 to 1870.  It is named after the Smoky Hill River in Kansas, because the trail ran next to it.  Part of the middle branch of the trail today is called Smoky Hill Road.

The north branch of the trail is followed by US-40 and I-70 today.  But it was first called Kansas City Road or Grand Avenue, before being renamed "Colfax Avenue" in 1865 for Schuyler Colfax.

Colfax & Florence

The old People's Rent To Own building is being converted to a performing arts center and restaurant at a cost of $2.6 million. See http://www.aurorasentinel.com/news/business/colfax-new-light-auroras-2-6m-peoples-investment-good-grander-vision-falls-short/   Unfortunately, even at that cost, the stage will be to small to accommodate a dance troupe.

The history of the Highline Canal

The Highline Canal