Harvard, Colorado is a small town located in Adams County. With a population of just over 1,000 people, it may seem like an unassuming place. However, Harvard holds many mysteries and secrets waiting to be uncovered. Let’s explore some of the riddles surrounding this quaint Colorado town.
History Riddles
Riddle 1
I began as a small farming community in the 1870s. Settlers were drawn to my rich soil. Farmers grew crops like corn, wheat and alfalfa. In 1882, I got my name from a railroad paymaster. He bestowed it in honor of his alma mater. What am I?
Answer: Harvard, Colorado
Riddle 2
In the 1910s, sugar beet farming brought prosperity to me. I became an economic center for the region. My population boomed to over 2,500. But disaster struck in the 1930s. What dealt a blow to my beet farming industry?
Answer: The Great Depression
Riddle 3
After sugar beet farming declined, I had to find a new economic base. In the 1950s, this company opened a large manufacturing plant that provided many jobs. What was the company?
Answer: Gates Rubber Company
Geography Riddles
Riddle 4
I’m located approximately 40 miles northeast of Denver. I’m situated right along Interstate 76. What major river runs just south of my borders?
Answer: The South Platte River
Riddle 5
Within my borders lies a reservoir named after a Civil War general. Water activities like boating and fishing draw visitors to this lake. What is its name?
Answer: Barr Lake
Riddle 6
I’m situated at over 5,000 feet above sea level on Colorado’s high plains. This gives me a semi-arid climate with low humidity. What term describes the strong winds that frequently blow here?
Answer: Chinook winds
Culture Riddles
Riddle 7
Every June, I host a festival celebrating my pioneering roots. People visit my historic buildings. Contests like spike driving and rail splitting hark back to my farming days. What’s the festival called?
Answer: Pioneer Days
Riddle 8
On the National Register of Historic Places, this building now houses my public library. It was originally built in 1909 out of red pressed brick. What was its former function?
Answer: Harvard High School
Riddle 9
Popular legend says this Parsing historic figure passed through me while scouting land in eastern Colorado. Though there’s no proof he actually visited, I maintain the connection. Who is it?
Answer: Buffalo Bill Cody
Local Lore Riddles
Riddle 10
Some claim the ghosts of Native Americans roam my lands, searching for lost burial grounds. Lights and orbs have reportedly been seen near old homesteads. What tribe inhabited this area centuries ago?
Answer: Arapaho tribe
Riddle 11
South of town sits a private ranch formerly owned by a colorful Colorado sheriff and folk hero. Some believe it’s haunted by his spirit and those of cattle rustlers he captured. Who was the famous lawman?
Answer: Bat Masterson
Riddle 12
Local legend says a portal to another dimension exists somewhere among my fields and farms. Those who find it will be lost in time and space. Where is this paranormal hotspot rumored to be located?
Answer: Harvard Gulch
Notable Residents Riddles
Riddle 13
This Harvard native gained fame as a singer-songwriter in the 1960s and 70s. Her folk hits like “Take Me Home, Country Roads” won her wide acclaim. What is the name of this resident turned music star?
Answer: John Denver
Riddle 14
Before becoming an Oscar-winning actress, this Harvard resident spent years training and performing with a prominent Denver dance company. Who is this dancer turned dramatic star?
Answer: Jennifer Jones
Riddle 15
Known as “The First Lady of Colorado Ranching”, this early Harvard settler helped establish my agricultural roots. She and her husband founded a large cattle ranch near here. Who was she?
Answer: Margaret Emery
Pedestrian Pursuits Riddles
Riddle 16
Formed from an old railroad corridor, I’m a 17-mile multi-use trail connecting Harvard to Denver’s urban pathways. I’m popular with cyclists, joggers and equestrians. What’s my name?
Answer: South Platte Trail
Riddle 17
Avid bird watchers come to see me and my banks during migrations. Over 300 species have been spotted along my shores and wetlands. What wetland bird refuge lies near Harvard?
Answer: Barr Lake State Park
Riddle 18
These geological oddities occur in and around Harvard. Formed by erosion, they resemble clumps of melted sand towers. What are these unusual landmarks called?
Answer: Hoodoos
Cuisine Conundrums
Riddle 19
Established in 1895, I’m Harvard’s oldest watering hole, slinging drinks and food for generations. I’m found on Clay Street in a building dating to 1904. What am I called?
Answer: Claypool Saloon
Riddle 20
For a true taste of Harvard history, stop by me during Pioneer Days. I serve steak dinners just like those cooked up by Harvard’s earliest cattlemen. What chuck wagon venue am I?
Answer: Pioneer Chuck Wagon
Riddle 21
Stop at this Arapahoe Street shop for homemade ice cream in flavors like beet and nutty cowboy. I’ve been an old fashioned parlor serving up sweets since 1985. Who am I?
Answer: Ice Cream Alley
Puzzling Pastimes Riddles
Riddle 22
Each June during Pioneer Days, competitors race to complete me first using vintage tools like crosscut saws. What lumberjack challenge takes place?
Answer: Log sawing contest
Riddle 23
Also part of Pioneer Days are contests involving these traditional ranching tasks. Competitors are judged on skill and speed at rolling or throwing one. What objects are used?
Answer: Calf roping and calf scrambling
Riddle 24
Dating to Harvard’s railroading past, this wrecking cranes competition requires operating vintage machinery to stack bricks. What is this quirky event called?
Answer: The International Brickstacking Contest
Quizzical Questions Riddles
Riddle 25
What creek flows from the foothills through Harvard on its way to join the South Platte River?
Answer: Lone Tree Creek
Riddle 26
What outdoor Harvard attraction features mining equipment and farm artifacts along a nature trail?
Answer: Arapaho Ranch Park
Riddle 27
What annual Harvard tradition began in 1916 as a way to honor local veterans?
Answer: Memorial Day parade
Trivia Troubles Riddles
Riddle 28
Constructed in 1890, Harvard’s Clay Street Bridge was one of the first of its kind in Colorado. What innovative design feature did it have?
Answer: An iron truss underneath
Riddle 29
The famous Croke-Patterson Mansion lies just outside Harvard. How many rooms does the extravagant Victorian home contain?
Answer: Over 40 rooms
Riddle 30
Harvard’s altitude clock downtown is set to the town’s exact elevation. What is that elevation?
Answer: 5,243 feet
Numeric Mysteries Riddles
Riddle 31
Harvard’s historic Clay Street once contained dozens of businesses. How many original buildings still stand today on this main street from the early 1900s?
Answer: 15 buildings
Riddle 32
Barr Lake State Park attracts thousands annually. About how many acres does this Harvard wetlands area encompass?
Answer: 2,000 acres
Riddle 33
How many officially designated historic landmarks and sites can be found within Harvard?
Answer: 7 historic places
Wily Words Riddles
Riddle 34
Derived from a Native American word, what term describes the windswept, dusty conditions prevalent in Harvard?
Answer: Chinook winds
Riddle 35
This word means a small natural tower or hoodoo formed by wind erosion. Many of these “fairy chimneys” occur around Harvard.
Answer: Hoodoo
Riddle 36
Often part of western lore, what were independent freedom-loving ranchers called, like those who settled Harvard?
Answer: Cowboys
Tricky Towns Riddles
Riddle 37
Founded in 1891, I’m known as Harvard’s sister city, just a few miles southeast. Settlers planted orchards here, but potatoes became my crop. What town am I?
Answer: Arapahoe
Riddle 38
Located 10 miles west, I was once called Grover. But in 1894 my name changed after a president visited to promote the region. Who am I?
Answer: Strasburg
Riddle 39
I’m found less than five miles southwest of Harvard. Settled largely by German immigrants, my name reflects their heritage. What town am I?
Answer: Schierling
Tough Timeline Riddles
Riddle 40
Harvard experienced two devastating fires in its downtown business district during the early 20th century. When did the first major fire strike in 1912?
Answer: June 1912
Riddle 41
And when did the second fire destroy much of Harvard’s Clay Street just a few years later in 1916?
Answer: September 1916
Riddle 42
Harvard’s historic train depot and water tower were built during the town’s founding boom. What year did the railroad arrive connecting it to Denver?
Answer: 1887
Pop Culture Ponderings Riddles
Riddle 43
Scenes from which 2007 comedy starring Drew Barrymore as a Frontier Airlines flight attendant were filmed at the Harvard Club bar?
Answer: Music and Lyrics
Riddle 44
In Kerouac’s novel On the Road, Sal and Dean stop for gas in “rambunctious” Harvard en route to Denver. In what year was the book published featuring this stopover?
Answer: 1957
Riddle 45
The indie folk band Devotchka filmed part of the music video for “How It Ends” in historic Harvard locales. In what year did the song and video debut?
Answer: 2006
Football Fanatics Riddles
Riddle 46
Before playing for the Denver Broncos, this Harvard native was a football star at Colorado State. Who is this famous Broncos linebacker?
Answer: Mike Knox
Riddle 47
Which longtime Harvard High School football coach has led the Huskies squad since the 1990s, guiding them to multiple league titles?
Answer: Casey Pearson
Riddle 48
What Harvard native quarterback played for Nebraska before joining the NFL’s Patriots and Raiders in the early 2000s?
Answer: Eric Crouch
Notable Numbers Riddles
Riddle 49
Founded in 1887, this is the number of years Harvard will have existed as a town in 2022.
Answer: 135 years old
Riddle 50
With sugar beet cultivation declining, this is the percent of Harvard residents today employed in agriculture.
Answer: Less than 5% in agriculture
Riddle 51
Ranked one of the region’s top courses, this is the par number at Harvard Gulch Golf Club.
Answer: A par 72 course
Tongue Twisting Riddles
Riddle 52
Fast-flying feathered fowl flock freely flanking Franklin Farm’s fruitful fields.
Answer: Birds are seen on a Harvard farm.
Riddle 53
Five frumpy, frisky felines foolishly frolicked through Fred Foster’s feed store.
Answer: Cats played in a Harvard building.
