A Brief History of Oak Creek
Oak Creek grew with the expansion of coal mining in southern Routt County. In 1907, the Oak Creek Land and Mining Company purchased a ranch to create a townsite for the developing mines. Initially called Belltown after company owners Edward and Sam Bell, the settlement took the name Oak Creek when it incorporated that November. Railroad service reached the area in 1908, followed by a depot in August 1909. Growth also brought labor conflict. During the disputes of 1913 and 1914, the governor sent Colorado militia troops to the area.