Eaton blends agriculture with residential growth
Surrounded by miles of farmland, Eaton is a small town about 9 miles north of Greeley that thrives amid the Great Plains. Originally settled in the 1880s, the town is named after Benjamin Harrison Eaton, who brought irrigation to the dry prairie area and turned it into an agricultural hub. Today, Eaton’s farming community continues to expand with new residential developments. “It’s got that old-town charm. A lot of people who live here, their entire family has lived here,” says Amy Collins, a real estate agent with Realty ONE Group, who has about 7 years of experience. “The town still has room to grow, and it’s growing quite a bit.”
Diverse housing downtown and in new neighborhoods
Homes in Eaton are found along downtown’s gridded streets and within suburban subdivisions. Most properties are accompanied by grassy front lawns and mature trees. Vintage bungalows and single-story homes built in the 1880s through 1900s are found close to the town square. These homes tend to have small lots, alleyway access and street parking. There are also ranch-style homes and split levels from the 1960s to the 1980s. Prices range from $320,000 to $475,000.
Fully developed neighborhoods are found farther away from the town center. “Hawkstone is a really popular subdivision that’s up-and-coming and has a golf course,” Collins says. Contemporary single-story homes with a front porch are popular. There are also multistory, New Traditional homes with Craftsman features such as pointed roofs, front gables and stone accents. These properties were built between the 2000s and 2010s and cost between $450,000 and $825,000. Contemporary townhouses are another housing option and found throughout Eaton. Units are priced around $300,000 to $400,000.
The CAP Index Crime Score for Eaton is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Staying active in town parks and rec centers
Ten parks are scattered around Eaton, adding greenery to the landscape. City Park is located next to Eaton High School and has a playground, softball field and picnic pavilion. Eaton Town Square is the newest park and features a fire pit area outfitted with arbors and benches. About 2 miles northeast of downtown, Hawkstone Park has a one-mile walking path that takes park patrons past a small pond that allows catch-and-release fishing. There’s also a playground and large grassy field. Nearby is the Eaton Country Club, with its private, 18-hole golf course.
The Eaton Area Community Center boasts over 64,000 square feet of indoor recreation. The facility has a fitness & wellness center, indoor track, gymnasium and leisure pool with a water playground. On the rec center campus is the Eaton Area Athletic Complex, with four baseball and softball fields and batting cages. Additionally, walkers and joggers can explore the Great Western Trail, an unpaved path that follows an abandoned railroad track for over 10 miles.
Getting educated in highly rated Eaton public schools
The town is served by the Eaton School District, which enrolls around 2,000 students across five schools and earns an A-minus grade from Niche. These schools offer open enrollment based on available spaces. Eaton Elementary School receives an A-minus grade, while Eaton Middle has a B-plus. The B-rated Eaton High School offers a STEM program and has Career & Technology Education departments in agriculture education and construction technology.
Small businesses and restaurants along U.S. Highway 85
Eaton’s downtown area on First Street and U.S. Highway 85 is the town’s main commercial avenue. Lining the streets are small businesses, clothing stores and gift shops like The Mustard Seed. Venezia Italian Restaurant & Bar is a casual eatery serving authentic dishes. More options are farther south, past Collins Street. “There used to be like three restaurants when I was growing up, and now they have a couple of coffee shops and a great barbeque place,” Collins says. Smokin’ Bros Barbeque is a family owned restaurant specializing in southern-style brisket, and Casa Maria serves traditional Mexican cuisine. Domino’s and McDonald’s are fast-food options. There are also auto parts stores and a hardware store in the area. Heritage Market is the town’s grocery store.
Celebrating the Eaton community’s culture
One of Eaton’s cultural hotspots is the A.J. Eaton Home & Carriage House Museum. The property explores the town’s pioneer history through a collection of artifacts, records and photographs. The carriage house is a replica and holds a military collection and the reconstruction of a small school room.
Every July, the community celebrates its heritage with Eaton Community Days. The weekend-long festival is held at City Park and includes a parade, car show, barbeque contest and fireworks display.
Traveling in and around Eaton
Narrow sidewalks line Eaton’s gridded streets and subdivisions, promoting recreational strolls. When it comes to commuting, U.S. Highway 85, known as the CanAm Highway, is the town’s main thoroughfare, traveling north and south. Drivers can use the highway to reach Greeley, about 9 miles south, and eventually the Denver Metro area. County Road 74, or Collins Street, travels east and west. The Denver International Airport is roughly 61 miles away.
