Wetmore: Getting There and Local History

Wetmore combines a scenic approach with a local history that can be traced through former school and community buildings. The town is at the junction of State Highways 96 and 67. If you’re planning a hotel stay in Wetmore, these themes can help you decide whether to choose the town as a destination for its location on the highway network, its scenery, or its historical connections.

Getting There and Scenery

A short, scenic 25-mile drive along Frontier Pathways leads to Wetmore. The junction of Highways 96 and 67 is another reference point: it describes Wetmore’s location on the road network, while Frontier Pathways refers to the scenic drive into town. The two details answer different questions: Where is Wetmore, and which named route leads there? You can consider the route as part of your journey and use the junction to get your bearings.

Hardscrabble Creek and its tributaries flow north toward Pike’s Peak and join the Arkansas River at Penrose. The waterways form an important intersection of routes. Wetmore can also be understood through its connections to waterways and routes: Hardscrabble Creek links the landscape toward Pike’s Peak with the Arkansas River at Penrose.

Historical Traces in Town

A historical map shows a schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, and stores in Wetmore. At the time, the town was also known as Greenwood Park or Hardscrabble Park. The map thus documents both former place names and different types of buildings. These entries offer a different perspective on Wetmore’s past from today’s roads and scenic surroundings.

The Wetmore Post Office has served continuously as a center of the local community since 1881. In September 2008, its building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. The Wetmore Historical Center opened in 2009 after the historic post office building was renovated. This gives a timeline of the post office’s long-standing role, the building’s historic designation, and the later opening of the historical center.

The Wetmore Community Center was completed in 1928 and served as a schoolhouse until the fall of 1961. The Wetmore Community Library is in the same building. Two educational connections can be distinguished here: the building’s former use as a school and the library housed in the Community Center. These details complement each other in telling the town’s history, though the buildings do not serve the same function.

The Wetmore Cream Station also still stands in the town center; the building is privately occupied. A listing dated August 31, 2023, mentions a pickleball court at the Wetmore Community Building. If you plan to use the court during your stay, check its current availability locally.

Considering Wetmore as a Destination

Your trip planning can focus on different aspects: the scenic drive, the waterways and routes, or the history of the buildings. If you’re looking for a hotel in Wetmore, you can consider which of these aspects matters most for your stay. For a specific booking, refer to the details provided with the individual offer.

For the broader travel overview: Custer.