History and culture - Eastern Plains
Crowley County keeps its story in a 1914 schoolhouse
The Crowley County Heritage Center fills a 1914 brick schoolhouse with the county's newspapers, farm records, and local artifacts, and it doubles as the town hall and a community gathering place.
Published June 10, 2026 - Last verified June 15, 2026
In the small town of Crowley, at 3rd and Main, a red brick schoolhouse from 1914 still anchors the block. It opened that November with forty-four students, served as a school for decades, and is now the Crowley County Heritage Center. The Colorado Encyclopedia describes it as an unusual example of the Second Renaissance Revival style, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 28, 1999.
What makes it worth a stop is not just the architecture. It is where the county actually keeps its story. The museum holds copies of the old county newspapers, including The Ordway New Era and the Sugar City Gazettes, along with archives from the Twin Lakes Reservoir Company, abstracts from area farms, and other local artifacts. There is also a plaque marking the county’s role in offering refuge to displaced Japanese American families during World War II.
The building still earns its keep. It serves as the Town of Crowley’s town hall and a community center as well as a museum, so it is a working part of town life rather than a sealed-off relic.
It is a low-key place to actually learn how this part of the Arkansas Valley came to be. For hours, current details, and how to arrange a tour, check the Crowley County Heritage Center directly.