Hygiene, Colorado Weather Cams
Pella Crossing Trail Head (Looking West)
Pella Crossing Trail Head (Looking East)
Pella Crossing Trail Head (Looking South)
Hygiene, Colorado: A Sanctuary of Health, Faith, and Frontier Spirit
Hygiene, Colorado Weather Cams. Nestled in the rolling plains just northwest of Longmont, Hygiene, Colorado, is a small unincorporated community with a name that often raises eyebrows—and a history that reveals a rich tapestry of health-seeking pioneers, religious refuge, and enduring rural charm. Though modest in size, Hygiene’s story is deeply entwined with the broader narrative of Boulder County and the American West.
From Pella to Hygiene: A Community of Refuge
The area now known as Hygiene was originally called Pella, a name steeped in biblical and classical references. “Pella” in Greek means “stone,” while in Hebrew it can mean “city of refuge” or “marvel of God.” These meanings were fitting for the settlers who arrived in the 1870s seeking both spiritual and physical sanctuary.
Among the earliest and most influential settlers was Reverend Jacob S. Flory, a minister of the Church of the Brethren—also known as the German Baptists or “Dunkers” for their triple-immersion baptism ritual. Fleeing religious persecution in Europe, many Brethren had settled in Iowa before moving westward. Flory and his family arrived in the Pella area in 1873, drawn by the fertile land and the promise of a healthier climate.
In 1877, Flory established the St. Vrain congregation, and by 1880, the community had constructed the St. Vrain Church of the Brethren—the first Brethren meetinghouse in Colorado. This simple yet enduring structure would become a cornerstone of the town’s identity.
The Hygienic House and the Tuberculosis Era
The defining chapter in Hygiene’s history began in 1881, when Reverend Flory opened the Hygienic House, a 35-room sanitarium designed to treat tuberculosis (TB), then known as “consumption.” At the time, Colorado was a magnet for TB patients, who believed the state’s clean mountain air, low humidity, and abundant sunshine could cure the disease. By 1900, nearly one-third of Colorado’s population had come seeking relief from TB.
The Hygienic House was more than a medical facility—it was a symbol of hope. Patients were encouraged to spend up to 10 hours a day outdoors, even in winter, bundled in blankets with hot bricks at their feet. The sanitarium also promoted the healing powers of mineral water from nearby Rabbit Mountain and local herbs, though some skeptics questioned the efficacy of these treatments.
The community soon adopted the name “Hygiene” in honor of the sanitarium, a nod to the Greek goddess Hygieia, daughter of Asclepius, the god of medicine. The name reflected both the town’s health-focused mission and its spiritual roots.
A Changing Landscape
The Hygienic House operated for just eight years before closing. It later served as a hotel before being torn down in 1926. Reverend Flory, having grown his congregation from three to over 100 members, moved to California in the early 1890s. The Brethren church ceased services in 1907, though the building remained a community landmark.
Meanwhile, other religious groups took root. A Methodist congregation formed in 1903, and by 1904, a church was under construction. Consecrated by Bishop Henry White Warren, the church featured stained glass windows donated from a Longmont Presbyterian church. Despite challenges during the World Wars and Great Depression, the congregation persisted, often sharing pastors with nearby Lyons or Longmont.
The Broader Region: Pella Crossing and Rabbit Mountain
Hygiene’s surrounding landscape is as storied as the town itself. Pella Crossing, named after the original settlement, became a vital part of the community’s identity. Once a ranching area, it is now a beloved open space managed by Boulder County. After the devastating 2013 floods, the area was restored and reopened as a refuge for both wildlife and people—a modern echo of its historical role as a sanctuary.
To the west, Rabbit Mountain rises as a geological and ecological landmark. Its mineral springs once fed the sanitarium’s treatments, and today it offers hiking trails and panoramic views of the Front Range. The mountain’s rugged beauty and biodiversity continue to draw visitors seeking the same restorative experience that once brought TB patients to Hygiene.
Preservation and Revival
In recent decades, Hygiene has embraced its heritage while adapting to modern times. The St. Vrain Church was transferred to the Hygiene Community Cemetery Association in 2005 and underwent restoration with support from the Colorado Historic Fund. The Hygiene Community Association, formed in 2011, has worked to preserve local history and foster community spirit.
One of the town’s most charming developments is the Mountain Fountain Market & Deli, housed in a historic building that once served as Clark’s Food Market. Now a hub for locals and cyclists, the store blends old-fashioned hospitality with organic fare and local art, embodying the town’s blend of tradition and renewal.
A Quiet Legacy
Today, Hygiene remains a quiet but vibrant community. Its post office, elementary school, churches, and small businesses serve as anchors for residents and visitors alike. Events like “Hygiene Hay Days” celebrate the town’s rural roots and community pride.
Though bypassed by major highways and railroads, Hygiene’s relative isolation has preserved its character. It is a place where history is not just remembered but lived—in the creak of old floorboards, the shimmer of stained glass, and the whisper of prairie winds across Pella Crossing.
In the end, Hygiene’s story is one of resilience, faith, and the enduring human quest for healing—both of body and spirit.
For more information, visit the Hygiene, Colorado official website.