Communities

Overview

Larkspur, Greenland, and Spring Valley are very unique and historical areas of Southern Douglas County and Divide Country. The Town of Larkspur is located 14 miles south of Castle Rock along the I-25 corridor, with Greenland another 4 miles south near the Douglas/El Paso County Line.

All three communities played an important part in the early development of Colorado and Douglas County. Larkspur actually became an outgrowth of Huntsville, one of the oldest settlements of Douglas County and the Colorado Territory. Huntsville, so named for Colorado’s territorial governor Alexander Hunt, began as a stage stop for early travelers and freighters along the East Plum Creek wagon road traveling South to Colorado City known today as Colorado Springs.

In 1860, Huntsville became Douglas County’s first territorial post office. This post office was important because of its location midway between Denver City and Colorado City. In 1864, it became necessary to build a fort for protection from Indians. Fort Lincoln, sometimes dubbed Oakes Folly, offered safety to early settlers in and around Huntsville. In 1862, D.C. Oakes established a sawmill. Along with the Coberly Hotel, the small settlement grew to eventually include mining in the nearby clay pits and agricultural endeavors.

Larkspur is situated eleven miles south of Castle Rock and forty-three miles north of Colorado Springs.

Perry Park is a seven-mile drive west of Larkspur.

Spring Valley was most notable for its location as a stage stop on the west Cherry Stage Road at the Gile Ranch.

Williamsville was established in 1873 by David Rice Williams in the Spring Valley area.

The name Greenland was penned by Helen Hunt Jackson, an author and poet, from her impressions of the natural beauty that surrounds it.

Huntsville was halfway between Denver City and Colorado City. In the shelter of the high butte on a live stream, it was a natural site for a settlement.

The area of Glen Grove is west of Larkspur and northeast of Perry Park along Perry Park Road..

Divide Country is an extended region that includes communities in several counties.

The Ranch List provides insight into the location of early ranches.