A Forgotten Town with a Remarkable Past
In the late 1800s, Cleora, Colorado, was a town on the rise. What began as William Bale’s stage stop along the South Arkansas River quickly transformed into a bustling community when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad platted the town in 1878. Within months, hundreds of residents arrived, businesses opened, and optimism filled the air. Cleora was alive with the hum of progress—the whistle of trains, the rhythm of hammers, the hope of permanence.
But fate had other plans. When the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad won the infamous “Railroad War” and chose nearby Salida as its hub, Cleora’s promise vanished almost overnight. Homes and businesses were moved—literally rolled across the valley—to Salida. By the early 1880s, Cleora had all but disappeared, leaving behind only a hillside cemetery to carry its name forward.
A Century of Silence
For more than 140 years, Cleora lived in memory, not in movement. Its cemetery endured as a testament to inclusion and resilience—an egalitarian resting place for pioneers, immigrants, and workers of every background. The land itself remained quiet, its story buried but not forgotten.
Innovation Meets Heritage
Today, Cleora’s hum returns—not from the iron wheels of locomotives but from the steady rhythm of 3D printing robotics. True North, a leader in community-focused development, has chosen Cleora as the site of a bold new chapter in housing innovation. This master-planned neighborhood redefines what it means to live beautifully and sustainably in Colorado’s high country.
But this is not about building faster or cheaper. It’s about building better – offering attainable, high-quality homes that are as climate resilient as they are refined.
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- Design Without Added Cost: Homes feature modern, architecturally thoughtful designs with premium finishes, without the price hikes often associated with custom building.
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- Performance Built-In: Highly efficient walls, advanced thermal envelopes, and climate-resistant construction mean lower utility bills, greater comfort, and homes built to withstand Colorado’s extremes.
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- Self-Sustaining Community: From shared green spaces to renewable-ready infrastructure, Cleora is being reimagined as a community where sustainability isn’t an option—it’s the standard.
A Model For The Future
What makes this story powerful is not just the rebirth of Cleora, but the example it sets for rural communities everywhere. Small towns across America face real challenges—rising housing costs, climate pressures, and the need for sustainable growth. Cleora’s revival proves that innovation can be rooted in history, that design and durability can be attainable, and that a town once lost to the railroad can once again lead the way.
“This is more than construction,” said Greg Kenny, Co-Founder of True North. “It’s community building community – proving that when neighbors, businesses, and innovators come together, we can shape a future that’s as resilient as it is inspiring. This project fuels local jobs, strengthens our economy, and pioneers housing that stands up to Colorado’s changing climate. It’s about honoring the heritage that built Chaffee County, while embracing next-generation technology to create a place where both people and the planet can thrive for generations.”
The Spirit of Continuity
Cleora has always been a place shaped by ambition and resilience. In 1878, it was the hum of the railroad. In 2025, it is the hum of 3D printing robotics. One carries the legacy of progress; the other carries the promise of a sustainable future.
This is more than development. This is Cleora’s comeback – a community reborn at the intersection of history and innovation.
