Niwot Colorado

old firehouse.

Niwot, Colorado is a small town in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains about 10 mn. from Boulder.

It is know for its numerous art and music events, including Rhythm on the Rail, a very popular summer concert series.

I was invited to participate in the 1st Friday Art Walk event (see art blog) and had a few minutes to walk around.

The town is named for Chief Niwot, an Arapaho leader, meaning "left hand." His people lived in the front range until the arrival of miners in 1858.

The railroad tracks was an important aspect of this new community, connecting it to markets as far as Denver and Wyoming. The small business district developed on the west side and resident neighborhoods on the east side the the tracks, with trains running through town.

In early 1900s the business disctrict moved to 2nd avenue and evolved into what is now called Niwot Historical District.