Center, Colorado

Center is a place that I previously knew only as a name on a map. I happened to make a precipitous choice one day and found myself driving nearby with a bit of time on my hands, so I made the turn and drove in. Center is located several miles east of US 285, the main north-south route on the west side of the San Luis Valley. As it's name implies, Center is in the center of the agricultural kingdom that makes up a good part of the San Luis Valley.

I didn't know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised to find a reasonably large town bustling with lots of local business. The main streets were filled with mariachi and other Mexican music, most of the posters in the business windows were in Spanish, the bars seemed to be centered in downtown while there were several churches scattered around in the residential areas. The schools, also, were large and in very good condition. The eastern and southern edges of town were mostly industrial (farming supplies, chemicals, warehouses, etc.) and most of Center was very clean (as opposed to the older, more dilapidated towns in the area).

Center's elementary school

At the south end of downtown

At the north end of downtown

Just south of Town Hall

The eastern edge of town, in the industrial zone