Every ghost town is a bet that didn't pay off. Forbes just shows the receipt more honestly than most. William James Forbes (August 24, 1874 – June 18, 1900) was an American college football and college baseball coach.
Las Animas County holds 13 documented ghost towns, including Abeyta, Berwind, Beshoar — Forbes keeps them company on the map.
The story of Forbes
Colorado's high-country ghost towns sit at altitudes that would give a flatlander nosebleeds — silver camps killed by an 1893 vote in Washington.
William James Forbes (August 24, 1874 – June 18, 1900) was an American college football and college baseball coach. He served as the first ever head football coach at Colorado Agricultural College — now known as Colorado State University — in 1899, compiling a record of 0–2–1. Forbes was also the head baseball coach at the University of Vermont for one season in 1898, tallying a mark of 9–7. He was a native of Shoreham, Vermont.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Forbes is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.
Getting there
Here's the honest truth: access to Forbes is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.
Good to know
Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.
Survey Map
Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting
Forbes FAQs
01Where is Forbes located?
02What county is Forbes in?
03What is the history of Forbes?
04What remains at Forbes today?
05Can you visit Forbes?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“W. J. Forbes”), CC BY-SA.
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