Many of the families who live on and work the land in southeastern Colorado have been here for many generations, since their ancestors homesteaded in the 1800s,  The ranching communities of this region represent a unique and endangered culture; the culture of the American Cowboy.

Some of the dates may not be accurate.  Mr. Levi Green homesteaded in the late teens or early twenties.  His place was about two miles west and one mile south of the current Villegreen store.  He started the store and post office two miles west of where Villegreen is located now.  I suppose this is how the name Villegreen originated.  Curtis and Zelma Ballard took over the store and post office around 1922.  They operated it with the help of Henry Ballard until 1948 when my folks moved there from Wyoming and took it over.

   
Four Ballard generations- Dean Ballard on the ranch                                 
The old store was a cream station for many years.  Sometime in the 30’s (I think), Curtis was hit in the head and robbed.  He was hit with a pistol and suffered a concussion.  I believe the thieves were caught later by the postal authority or the FBI.  Zelma told stories about how the snuff users were always the first ones to show up after a snowstorm!

 
 
 
Fronzo Ballard, Irene                                                   

When my family came to Villegreen in 1948 (Paul, Fronzo, Phil & Jim), Dad took care of the store and ran the post office and Mom had a beauty shop in the front.  I recall the pot belly stove served as a gathering place to tell stories and compare notes.  At that time, pop was a nickel.  When they rolled the dice, the low roller bought the drinks for all.

       Phil Ballard family

 I ran the school bus to Kim for about 20 years. 
I started school at the Villegreen School House in the 8^th grade and my brother Jim started there in the 1^st grade.  He was one year too young but when the teacher (Adaline Martinique) invited him to visit school that day, he did and as far as I know he never missed a day of school after that.

 
Ballards at Villegreen Post Office

 
  
                    Paul and Dean

He graduated high school one year early.  One of the pictures of Jim and the dogs was most likely taken in the late 50’s.  The station wagon in the photo is a 1955 Ford.  We ran sheep and cattle the first few years and later, cattle only.  The Post Office was closed in 1983 and the store closed a few years later.  Due to my mom’s illness, they moved to the La Junta, Colorado, where they both passed away.

Ballards now

       
                                                                                                        Ballard Bowling!

       
Ballard Rock

Paul Ballard and Grandsons

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This site was last updated 06/12/07
by Lori Holdread