VONA

NAME: Vona
COUNTY: Kit Carson
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 1
CLIMATE: Extremely hot summers, ranges from mild to bitter cold in winter
BEST TIME TO VISIT: All year, weather permitting
COMMENTS: Vona is in Kit Carson County in eastern Colorado. It's located less than a mile north of exit 412 on Interstate 70. It's population according to the census of 2010 is 63 persons, down from 95 in 2000. It's a semi-ghost town with most buildings uninhabited.
REMAINS: Many abandoned homes and businesses
Vona was a thriving town in the early 20th century. But like the rest of the southwest, it was devastated by the Great Depression and the drought of the 1930s. Per a historical plaque on the east end of town (at the water tower), fire destroyed half of the town's business district in early June of 1936 while the town was awaiting the construction of a new water tower. Submitted by: Diddley Squat


A historical plaque at the water tower in Vona, Colorado. It includes a photograph of Vona as it looked in 1923 Vona
Courtesy Diddley Squat


Abandoned grain elevator
Courtesy Diddley Squat


Building in central Vona
Courtesy Diddley Squat


Vona business district (1st Avenue)
Courtesy Diddley Squat


Old Home in Vona
Courtesy Diddley Squat


Abandoned residential area
Courtesy Diddley Squat


Oasis Service. It appeared open when I first visited in 2009, but when this photo was shot (October of 2010) it seemed it has closed. That would make it the last business to fold in this town.
Courtesy Diddley Squat


Nobody's home. A shabby house in Vona, Colorado.
Courtesy Diddley Squat


Vona, Colorado. Photo taken 24 December 2009.
Courtesy Diddley Squat


Photo taken 24 December 2009.
Courtesy Diddley Squat


Vona, Colorado, December 2009
Courtesy Diddley Squat


This old house collapsed in 2010. Photo December 2009
Courtesy Diddley Squat


An old ranch house south of I-70, Vona, Colorado
Courtesy Diddley Squat


Derelict house in Vona, December 2009
Courtesy Diddley Squat


1st Avenue business district, winter 2009
Courtesy Diddley Squat

 

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