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ABOUT PAONIA The valley of the North Fork of the Gunnison River was a natural paradise ruled for centuries by the Ute Indian nation. Colorado historians will recall that in 1882, after an altercation known as the “Meeker Massacre” the Utes were unceremoniously moved west into Utah, thus triggering a land rush into the lush valleys that today house the communities of Delta, Hotchkiss, Crawford and Paonia. The “wild west” therefore came to the North Fork Valley about twenty years after the classical Dodge City days, but it was no less fractious. We had cattlemen vs sheepmen, outlaws and gamblers, rough and tumble miners and our share of boom era politicians. In the course of such frontier expansion it was discovered that the valley had perfect soil and climate conditions for fruit trees of nearly every description. Within a decade fruit from the North Fork Valley was nationally known and the boom was on. Did you know that fruit from our trees won six gold medals at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair (the Columbian Exposition that also featured the first Ferris Wheel and Little Egypt)? Today, we call our home “the Last Magic Valley in Colorado” because its radiant beauty is yet unspoiled. Orchards still abound on the rolling valley floor and on the surrounding mesas. White capped mountains look down upon us benevolently. Wonderful vegetables and flowers are plentiful and the wine industry, once destroyed during Prohibition, is back and flourishing. Come visit us in glorious Paonia Step across the hall and visit Ollie's for a delicious ice cream treat. We proudly feature Anne & Mann Ice Cream from Colorado Springs and are open seven days a week. Need a place to stay? We recommend Fresh & Wyld, with wonderful food, just minutes outside town in a beautiful rural setting. For someplace in town, try the historic Bross Hotel or the Rocky Mountain Inn, and you can walk to the gallery and Ollie's Ice Cream and enjoy a meal at the Flying Fork Cafe and Louie's Pizza My Heart. After dinner, catch a movie or live music at the Paradise Theater, or live music at Louie's. The next day... Visit some of our local wineries! Most are open Memorial Day through September. Check their websites for more information. Stone Cottage Cellars, Terror Creek and Azura Winery are all above town on Garvin Mesa. Black Bridge Winery and Orchard Valley farm is located on the bank of the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Delicious Orchards Organic Farm Market has great local produce, a cafe and wine tastings. An excursion from Paonia Have you ever visited the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park? The North Rim entrance is only 45 minutes from Paonia, the views are amazing, and there are great picnic spots. Take a 1/3 mile hike on the Chasm View Trail for some spectacular scenery. For more information about Paonia visit the Paonia Chamber of Commerce
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