Welcome to Hartsel, also known as the "Heart of Colorado," because if it rests so near the center of the state.
"Who's at the Merc?" is a common question in a small community like this. The Mercantile Store or General Store was an indespensible feature of any community. They were known to carry a little of everything and at least one of whatever you might need! They were a center for communications, and messages, passengers, and posts might be left by some to be picked up by others at a later time. This structure also served as place of refreshment, and ice cream was served here.
Imagine arriving here by coach, horse or train. You would be tired, dirty, hungry. There was comfort for you at a mercantile If you came to the region to work a mining claim, you would find provisions, clothes, tools, and companionship.
Hartsel was founded in 1880.
We lost two caches to neighborhood kids- so we moved the cache about twenty five feet. It is in a bigger container. Congratulations and glory glory to MichNJen2010 for fof on this cache!