Colorado is amazing for all of its charming little towns, ones that include cute little shops, quirky characters, and the peace and quiet that you just don’t find in the city. Henderson (if you can call it a town), fits at least one of those characteristics. Nestled somewhere between Thornton, Brighton, and Commerce City, Henderson is actually an unincorporated community, meaning it doesn’t have its own government, but has been adopted in parts by the surrounding cities.

What’s in Henderson, you ask? Not much. For the most part, it’s a collection of neighborhoods and older houses with a little bit of property. One of the larger subdivisions, Belle Creek, houses a charter school that doubles as a YMCA-operated community center free to all of the neighborhood’s residents. Not only does the community center have open gym hours and fitness classes, but they also host fun family events throughout the year, such as meeting Santa at the holidays and movie nights in the park across the street during the summer.

While this community is currently undergoing a lot of growth, it does still have some of its original features. One such establishment, Henderson Community Church, has been around for over a hundred years, quite a feat in a place with so few people. Henderson also boasted a barber shop, railroad depot, blacksmith shop, and cheese factory in 1900. Sadly, these businesses have disappeared since then. Fortunately, Henderson’s post office, which has been running since 1894, is still in use.

While there is little public information about Henderson’s history, we do know that it was originally called Henderson Island, and was named after John D. “Colonel Jack” Henderson, said to have been a colonel in Bleeding Kansas.

Henderson is also home to an Adams County fire station, an eerie old school, a small collection of businesses, middle school, high school, and absolutely charming family-run corner store. Plus, Adams County Fairground, while technically in Brighton, is located on Henderson Road and is shockingly close to the rest of the community.

Still not sold on Henderson? You should be because they recently opened a Taco Bell in this charming little area. That’s right, Henderson is in the big leagues!

Really, though, you don’t move to Henderson for the thrill. You move there for to get the small town feel, and yet to be close enough to several cities that you never have to be without something to do. Downtown Brighton is mere minutes away, as is Thornton, Commerce City, and even Denver. But when the hustle and bustle of severely urban areas get to be too much, you know you can always retreat to the sleepy little community of Henderson Island.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert on Henderson, and I apologize if any of the above information is in any way incorrect.