Historical Commission Corner

What a unique February we’re having this year. Since the Historical Commission is all about history, we’ll kick off this month’s newsletter with some interesting facts. Due in part to unfortunate La Niña conditions, the Denver area recently set a new record for the most 60-degree days in a single winter season, breaking records dating back to 1872. On a lighter note, February 2026 is considered a "perfect month" because it has four exact weeks that start on a Sunday and end on a Saturday.

Looking ahead towards early March, we hope you’ll calendar some time to spend with us at the Superior Cemetery in addition to the Asti Park Historical Museum and Grasso Park Interim Museum. Commission members always look forward to serving as docents to help share the Town’s rich history with visitors. Open historical sites on March 7 are: Asti Park Historical Museum (112 W. Maple St.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Grasso Park Interim Museum (122 E. William St.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Superior Cemetery (2580 Central Park Way) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (weather permitting)

Yes, Superior did have a post office

Imagine, if you will, a post office in Superior. For decades, a post office was a reality for residents in the area that we now refer to as “Original Town” Superior. From its earliest days back in 1896, Superior postal customers picked up their mail at the General Store, owned by the Rocky Mountain Fuel Company.

Eventually, a small, free-standing building served as a post office. Frank and Mabel Winkler shared the postmaster’s duties. Mrs. Winkler purchased the small frame structure from Boulder County for back taxes and moved it to a site at 211 W. William St. around 1940. Later, the Winklers added an extension to the little building and incorporated it into a home.

In many small towns, the post office also served as a social center for residents. Lacking home postal delivery in those days, family members would go to the post office, meet neighbors there, and catch up on the town news (also called gossiping).

By the 1950s Superior’s population was in decline. As a result, in 1955 the U.S. Postal Service decided to close the Superior office and have the mail come through the Louisville office, which is why we share the zip code 80027. This is still the case today, despite efforts by local leaders to secure our own post office. Postal service administrators have not approved such a move.

Did you know that: 

• The town of Pagosa Springs is rooted in a Ute word Pagosah meaning “healing waters” in reference to the natural hot springs there?
• On Feb. 2, 1934, auto racer Bobby Unser was born in Colorado Springs? Among his many racing accomplishments, Unser won the Indianapolis 500 in 1968.
• In the late 1800s Colorado con man Doc Braggs sold two solid gold bricks to unsuspicious victims for $25,000? The booty was actually just conventional bricks with a thin coating of gold to make them appear legitimate.