Villa Grove is a lovely little town at the northern end of the San Luis Valley. Begun in the 1870's as a farming and ranching supply center, Villa Grove boomed to nearly 4,000 people when gold was discovered up the Kerber Creek drainage and Bonanza was founded in 1880. Following the mining days, when people lived in tents on the valley floor and endured winters of 40 below zero, the town still maintained the reputation of a haven for travelers and weary folks needing a warm place to stay and good food to eat. The large hotel and many businesses burned down over the years, but the basics of comfort can still be found here. Artists have replaced miners, (though there are still a number of folks with claims that plan to hit it big some day), and ranchers that have always worked this beautiful upper valley are still working cattle. Visitors today are treated to (continued on page 35)