If you're looking for a list of places to visit in Colorado, you've probably already heard of Fruita City. This small home rule municipality, located 10 miles northwest of Grand Junction, has a diverse range of outdoor recreation opportunities. Nearby attractions include the Colorado National Monument and Book Cliffs. Its small-town feel is balanced by larger-town amenities, including schools and shopping centers.
The population of Fruita has been steadily increasing for over a century. In fact, descendants of the original homesteaders live in the town today. Perhaps the first permanent homesteaders, Albert Lapham, lived in a dirt floor cabin with a blanket door. Others soon followed, most of them farmers. In 1884, William E. Pabor founded the Fruita Town and Land Company. For $500, he purchased land that would be home to 200 fruit trees.
The percentage of foreign-born residents in Fruita City is low compared to other Colorado cities. Only 1% of Fruita's residents are naturalized citizens. This is particularly beneficial in employment-related research, and can help identify neighborhoods where many retirees live. Fruita has the highest percentage of people between 30 and 39 years old. Its lowest percent of citizens is 40-49 years old. Its median age range is sixty-nine.
The town's population grew steadily, and the one-room schoolhouse became the local community center. In 1884, the town had two small grocery stores, but only one large store today. In 1885, young girls in Fruita wore dresses and long skirts; today, they wear jeans and stylish tops. Fruita also had its own school with a long history. The first school in the town was a log cabin that housed sixteen students. The school, which served as the town's main school, was built by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. The Union Pacific and BNSF Railroads also run through the town.