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The Legacy of Old Boston: A Town Preserved in One Photo

The story of Old Boston, Colorado, is one of ambition, boom, and eventual bust, encapsulated in one of the few surviving photographs of the town. This image, showcasing the main street in its heyday, serves as a testament to a once-thriving settlement that briefly became a beacon of hope during the late 19th-century land rush. While the town’s physical structures have long since disappeared, this photograph remains, preserving a fleeting moment in history.

The photograph, believed to have been taken in May or June of 1887, provides a glimpse into life in Old Boston. The windlass used for digging the town’s first public well is prominently visible in the foreground, marking a pivotal development in the settlement’s infrastructure (“Springfield Herald,” Sept. 8, 1911). Behind the windlass, rows of wooden buildings line the main street, representing the businesses and ambitions of settlers who flocked to the area during the town’s brief period of prosperity.
This image owes its survival to Mrs. S. L. Patterson (formerly Mrs. Hill), one of Old Boston’s earliest residents. Patterson arrived in the spring of 1886 with her four children and opened a restaurant known as the “Orphans Home” (“Springfield Herald,” Sept. 15, 1911). She was among the first to document and preserve the town’s history. Her son, L. Stephen Hill, later shared the photograph with the Springfield Herald in 1911, where it was published alongside an article about the rise and fall of Old Boston (“Springfield Herald,” Aug. 18, 1911).

Sam Konkel, editor of the Herald, played a crucial role in preserving Old Boston’s legacy. Having been an early resident and businessman in the town, he maintained a personal connection to its history. In 1913, Konkel issued a public request for photographs of Old Boston from its peak years. While it appears he received limited responses, this photograph, along with another potentially showing the Capansky Saloon, became central to his efforts (“Springfield Herald,” Dec. 26, 1913).
The clarity of this image suggests it was taken during Old Boston’s brief prosperity and preserved by a family deeply connected to the town’s history. It provides a rare visual record of the community, complemented by the recollections of former residents like Mrs. Patterson. Together, these artifacts and narratives offer a window into Old Boston’s vibrant yet short-lived existence.

Today, this photograph holds a prominent place in historical archives and has even graced the cover of the book Old Boston: As Wild As They Come. The book draws on the stories and images preserved by Konkel, the Hill family, and others, providing a detailed account of the town’s rise and fall.
As one of the few surviving artifacts of Old Boston, this photograph is more than a historical curiosity—it is a symbol of the hope, hard work, and eventual decline that characterized many towns on the American frontier. Thanks to the efforts of individuals like Mrs. Patterson, L. Stephen Hill, and Sam Konkel, Old Boston’s story continues to captivate and educate future generations.

Citations:
- “Springfield Herald,” September 8, 1911.
- “Springfield Herald,” September 15, 1911.
- “Springfield Herald,” August 18, 1911.
- “Springfield Herald,” December 26, 1913.



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