Fort Morgan, Colorado, is the boyhood home of famed band leader Glenn Miller, and has kept the spirit of the big band alive and swingin.'
Fort Morgan was originally known as CampWardwell when it was used as a checkpoint for supplies moving along the Overland Trail between Boulder and the mining districts, and gained its current moniker in 1866 to honor the memory of Colonel Christopher A Morgan
Fort Morgan, Colorado, is the boyhood home of famed band leader Glenn Miller, and has kept the spirit of the big band alive and swingin.'
Fort Morgan was originally known as CampWardwell when it was used as a checkpoint for supplies moving along the Overland Trail between Boulder and the mining districts, and gained its current moniker in 1866 to honor the memory of Colonel Christopher A Morgan. Nowadays, the 11,315 residents of Fort Morgan aren't concerned as much with the safe travel of supplies, but are instead involved in keeping the memory of Glenn Miller alive with the ever-popular annual Glenn Miller Swing-Fest, while still keeping the history of their beloved town accessible via the Fort Morgan Museum, which houses all sorts of artifacts from the town's earlier days.
Moving to FortMorgan
Considering that FortMorgan is comprised of 4.4 square miles, you might be surprised at the number of properties available to a FortMorgan newbie. It has the small-town charm, with the convenience of a major highway -- Interstate 76 -- connecting you to larger cities
Apartment or Detached Home?
There are three different apartment communities to choose from, all of which are reasonably priced. Two communities sit near I-76, with the lone remainder can be found on the south end of town. When it comes to detached housing, the world (or, at least FortMorgan) is your oyster.
Apartment Life, Please!
Ah, so you've decided on an apartment rental? Great choice. As mentioned above, you have a few to choose from. Whether you are looking for a studio for rent, a one-bedroom or a two-bedroom, FortMorgan can find apartment you'll be happy to call home.
Detached Home for Me!
Perfect! There are quite a few options open to you when it comes to house rentals in FortMorgan. Pricing varies widely, but you get a lot of bang for your buck, here. The higher-end homes tend to sit on large lots, with tons of square footage and updated amenities. The more middle-of-the-road homes are still very nice, with tons of charm -- cookie-cutter neighborhoods need not apply.
Contract Day
Pretty standard stuff: you'll want to have one-month's rent, possibly an additional security deposit, your last three paycheck stubs, all pertinent financial paperwork, and two valid forms of ID. Additional items might be requested, depending on where you land, and not every realtor or landlord will demand the exact same things, this is merely a standard guideline. Have your questions at the ready -- if you do put down a deposit, what are the terms for that deposit being returned if/when you vacate? Pet restrictions? Any penalties you should know about, such as leaving before the lease is up?
Fort Morgan Neighborhoods
While there isn't a long list of neighborhoods in FortMorgan, location is still very important.
City Center: The CityCenter is what you want if you truly wish to be in the heart of the town -- many of the attractions are within easy walking distance, and you'll be rubbing elbows with the majority of the current residents. A good chunk of the town, the CityCenter is a long rectangle outlined by W Platte Ave in the North, County Road R in the South, County Road 19 in the East, and County Road 17 in the West. Here's where you will find all the hustle and bustle of town life, including the FortMorganMuseum, all festivals, and much of the shopping.
Head north or south of the city center for a bit more stretching room, and if you keep to the north end of town you'll be very close to I-76, whereas the south end of town provides more wildlife-viewing opportunities
Platte Avenue: Platte Avenue is the main thoroughfare running through town. Many business establishments of all kinds, from food to fun, are located along this stretch of road.
Living in FortMorgan
For a town that doesn't quite crack 5 square miles, there certainly are a wide variety of things to do! Visit the aforementioned FortMorganMuseum for a trip back to the times when the Pawnee and other Plains Indians called the area home. Or perhaps golf is your thing? The Quail Dunes Golf Course provides you with 18 holes of awesome! Or, perhaps you are the daring sort? Check out Skydive Empire and get a unique perspective of FortMorgan -- from above! JacksonLakeState Park is also nearby, and offers attendees the chance to hike the trails of the Pawnee National Grassland; great fishing spots are also open for your recreational use. The RainbowArchBridge is a wonderful example of a marsh ArchBridge, and is quite the statement piece. You'll likely find that much of your life in FortMorgan is spent outdoors, especially in the warmer months. Go grab a bite at one of the local's favorite places, O' Sole Mio, a little Italian place known for their truly authentic fare at decent prices. Check out Rosita's Mexican Bakery, a favorite staple of those in the know. Enjoy the friendly, small-town atmosphere of FortMorgan -- a town with a long history and wonderful hidden treasures. Oh, and Glenn Miller. Let's not forget Glenn Miller. Welcome home.
