Archuletaville, Red Wing, Colorado

Archuletaville was a small “hippie” commune in the once busy trail town of Red Wing, Colorado. In the late 1960s. A land owner, Dan Archuleta allowed a group of individuals to move into the goat sheds on his property. There they built the community for themselves. This community got them away from the everyday life that everyone else was doing, like many of the communes that began in that time. They were together and lived happily there for a short time. 

 A row of neat, small south facing sheds made a perfect little commune. It’s not certain if they built the additional cabins or moved them in. According to one article I read, some of the buildings were not there before. There is also an adobe house on the grounds. These buildings are all in such a neat little row, It’s such an amazing thing to come across on the backroads. The first time I happened across this, I was in awe. Completely. I could live there, without a doubt. Or regret. I instantly wanted to sell everything and come repair those tiny little houses. My family would fit perfectly there against that cliff. 

I have visited these ruins many times in the past. They have aged so beautifully. They are on Private Land, so please do not attempt to walk up to them. You can view them from the road and bask in the gloriousness of a community that once was. I will always stop to admire the beauty of this place. It never fails, if you stop at either the ruins or the cemetery, you will hear the birds soaring above and the peace of the wind. 

I can only imagine that they also stood there and felt the power of the cliffs and the valley. 

These buildings have all the glamour with the size of a thimble as compared to the mansions of that time. Large windows in some, electricity was installed. I would call this living without the need for all the things that weigh us down. Lightweight living in tiny houses is not a new concept. This way of living has made a large resurgence in the past few years and there are even tiny home conventions in Colorado Springs every year. 

I have wanted to go to these conventions, but the way I figure it, I would fall so head over heels in love with the idea that I could never possibly recover, so I won’t entertain the idea of it out side of my head! I’ve wondered about this many, many times and I completely understand the allure of it. I have built little communities just like this many times in my dreams. I imagine I will continue to do so for the rest of my life. 

The landowner and families that were in the valley long before Archuletaville, are still there in some places. They still get together to clean up the cemetery nearby and honor the land and its traditions. It is my understanding that some of the original residents of Red Wing and Archuletaville still have familial ties to the area as well, or still reside nearby. 

I recently did a story on one of the headstones in the Red Wing Cemetery, a short hop and skip down the road from Archuletaville. The Cemetery is a heart song for my soul. The stones are so unique. The marbles, glass, concrete and ideas that went into the stones are so cultural and beautiful. Trust me I could go on about the Huerfano Cemeteries I have found. Is it strange that I am so much at peace amongst the rows or stones and memories?

The stories they have will never all be known by me, there are just simply too many. I have a hard time deciding which ones to honor and research, because I wish for them all to be remembered. 

Arculetaville, I can only imagine, was at peace in that area, it would be hard not to feel the solemnity. 

Though the community of Archuletaville was short lived, the history remains. That history walks in the shoes of hundreds of years of families before them, doing the same thing, settling into the life of the Upper Huerfano River Valley. Many of those families are still there and I can say with absolute certainty that they are a band families with ancient and beautiful traditions. I’m sure that is what drew the “Archuletavillians” (Archuleta-ville-ians) into the valley in the first place. Don’t worry, I made that part up.

This is the smallest, coolest ghost town in Colorado by my standards. The beautiful cliff it’s nestled into reaches all the way west to the Sangre de Cristos. This road at the edge of these foothills, was once a trading trail and a way across the mountains for Chief Ouray and other travelers. It is said that the trails nearby were used by travelers and they would camp along the cottonwoods to rest near the creek. The other small townsites around the valley were just as important and quaint. All sharing one thing in common, small community life.

Red Wing was the name it was given by the residents when the postal authorities rejected the names Chama and Crestones as they were already in use in other areas. Red Wing is thought to be the name of a popular song from back then. It was common practice to name things after songs, still is.

The trails going out of the valley were native byways over the mountains. Eventually the town faded away and what remains are beautiful open ranches. School closed, stores burned down and the community, though mostly gone, still remains.

Another hop and skip west from Archuletaville brings you to the Grotto on the side of the cliff. The ancient coves are well honored and always offer a spiritual retrieve, even if for just a moment. The ancients honor this valley, I could feel them there. The Grotto was recently cared for and was just stunning and peaceful to visit. 

Red Wing is now an unicorporated farming community. A drive up the road will bring you to Mosca Pass Hiking Trailhead which leads over into the sand dunes. This native trail has history for centuries connecting this community with the San Luis Valley. 

I encourage you to visit a place that immerses your soul into your deeper self today. Visit a place that speaks to you from the core of all being.

Enlightenment can be found in the most unexpected ways. Get out there an explore today!