Sitting 80 miles East of Denver, Last Chance, Colorado was once a popular rest stop in the 1930’s through the 50’s. For travelers, it was the last chance for goods and services before making their way East to Kansas. Starting with a farm, Charlie Harbert founded a homestead there with his family in the 1900’s. By the 1920’s, the National Highway System came through and Charlie decided to call his homestead Last Chance. And for a brief period of time, the town was even considered “Western Vacation Land”. (see photo of bath mat) There were motels, restaurants, gas and service stations all catering to the traveler making their way East. Or perhaps making their way back to Denver. That all changed by 1956 when the Federal Interstate Highway System built I-70. Diverting travelers from ever going through the town of Last Chance.
Now, Last Chance has a population of 13 people. If you blink, you might miss it like I almost did. There’s not much left of the old town except for a few abandoned buildings and vehicles. But if there’s one interesting thing left in this small town, it’s got to be the Last Chance Motel.
Not being able to sleep the night before, I got up at 4:30 in the morning, planned my shoot, and headed East. Nothing beats the open highway, the sun rising in front of you, and Bruce Springsteen playing on the radio. My excitement made those 80 miles seem like 10. And once I got there, I was not disappointed. I can’t find any history on this motel other than the information I’ve already written. But I believe the pictures tell the rest of the story. *WARNING* Some images are disgusting! Please wait till after breakfast to view.
Comments
Ray
this has brought tears to my eyes. This is the motel in the winter of the 1950s not sure what year when i was a child that my mother father and grandmother stayed in when a snow storm stranded us there. This is just like a part of my life has just died.
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