Sheridan, Colorado

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City of Sheridan, Colorado
Location in Arapahoe County and the state of Colorado
Location in Arapahoe County and the state of Colorado
Coordinates: 39°38′56″N 105°1′4″W / 39.64889, -105.01778
Country Flag of the United States United States
State Flag of Colorado State of Colorado
County[1] Arapahoe County
Incorporated April, 1890[2][3]
Named for Philip Sheridan
Government
 - Type Home Rule Municipality[1]
Area
 - Total 2.2 sq mi (5.8 km²)
 - Land 2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²)
 - Water 0 sq mi (0.1 km²)
Elevation [4] 5,325 ft (1,623 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 5,600
 - Density 2,545.5/sq mi (965.5/km²)
Time zone MST (UTC-7)
 - Summer (DST) MDT (UTC-6)
ZIP code[5] 80110
Area code(s) Both 303 and 720
FIPS code 08-69645
GNIS feature ID 0204714
Website: City of Sheridan

The City of Sheridan is a Home Rule Municipality located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States. The population was 5,600 at the 2000 census.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Sheridan is located at 39°38′56″N, 105°1′4″W (39.648920, -105.017681)[6].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.8 km²), of which, 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (1.79%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 5,600 people, 2,236 households, and 1,372 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,543.4 people per square mile (982.8/km²). There were 2,395 housing units at an average density of 1,087.8/sq mi (420.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.00% White, 1.88% African American, 2.20% Native American, 1.68% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 12.54% from other races, and 4.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 32.52% of the population.

There were 2,236 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 103.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,984, and the median income for a family was $38,500. Males had a median income of $29,655 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,635. About 9.0% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Brief History

Sheridan, Colorado, then called Petersburg, has always been a small community. The first white settler was of what would become Sheridan was John McBroom in the spring of 1859.[8] He homesteaded 160 acres. He build his first log cabin near Bear Creek which he later abandoned in 1866 when he got married to Emma J. Bennett. He prospered as a farmer and found a viable market in Denver for his goods. He was joined by his brother, Isaac McBroom, in June 1860 who also homesteaded a little over 160 acres. The laying out of the town of Sheridan is credited to Isaac. He was also responsible for the name change from Petersburg to Sheridan. Isaac McBroom’s cabin can be toured at the Littleton Historical Museum However the McBroom brothers were not the only influential people in Sheridan. Another predominate figure in the history was Peter Magnes. Originally from Sweden, Magnes was a hard working farmer. When he was 26 he immigrated to the United States and in 1859 his first daughter was born on the banks of the Cherry Creek. He also purchased 160 acres of land and built a small log cabin. In 1865 Peter laid out the town of Petersburg and encouraged Swedish families to immigrate to his town. The town had a railroad, hotel, blacksmith, a church, newspaper, a post office, and, of course, taverns.[9] Incorporation of Sheridan, Colorado began in January 1890. However there was some dispute among the petitioners about boundaries and the final results were filed in February 1890. On April 14, 1890 the town of Sheridan was incorporated.[2] Sheridan gets its name from General of the Army, Philip H. Sheridan.[10] General Sheridan established Fort Logan which was originally known as the “Camp close to Denver,” which was the site known as the" Johnson Tract," south of the city because of its water supply, the proximity of the railroad, “available space for a parade ground, artesian well possibilities, the beautiful view and the distance from Denver and its saloons”.[2] Because of the military post Sheridan continued to flourish. However, eventually the post was shut down and it is now a mental health facility that borders Sheridan. Sheridan has remained a community that continues to influence the surrounding areas, most recently with current redevelopment projects.

[edit] Trivia

Sheridan was the setting for the short-lived western Legend, although when the writers originally chose the name, they were not aware that the town of "Sheridan, Colorado" actually existed.[11] Note also that the show takes place in 1876, some time before Sheridan was actually historically incorporated.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Active Colorado Municipalities (HTML). State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs. Retrieved on 2007-09-01.
  2. ^ a b c Bonita Hutchenson (2002). A History of Sheridan, Colorado. Sheridan Historical Society. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
  3. ^ Colorado Municipal Incorporations (HTML). State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives (2004-12-01). Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  4. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ ZIP Code Lookup (JavaScript/HTML). United States Postal Service. Retrieved on January 1, 2008.
  6. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  7. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  8. ^ Hulse, D. F. (2004). Littleton History: Biographies, McBroom Family. City of Littleton. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
  9. ^ Dorward, R. (2004). Littleton History: Biographies, Peter Magnes. City of Littleton. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
  10. ^ General Philip Henry Sheridan. Sheridan Historical Society (2001). Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
  11. ^ Source: E-mail from Bill Dial, co-creator, dated 1996

[edit] External links