In 1923, Edgar Coles built the first filling station in Rifle on the Edwards House property at East Ave. and Third Street. Up until that time, only garages dispensed gasoline. It was known as Coley’s Station and dispensed Conoco Gas. Roads were rutty, rough and crooked at that time and were not easily traveled on by these early Ford models. New road construction became a political subject with County Commissioners campaigning to get the job done.

As early as 1899 state funds had been allocated to build a state highway from Denver to Grand Junction. It shortened and improved the distance from Rifle to the state capital and did away with having to pay toll. But there was little perceptible improvement on the western end of the road between Rifle and Grand Junction. However, it did have influence in changing the name of Grand River. A petition was circulated to the effect that the Grand be re-named the Colorado River. The 1907 Legislature made the change official. The historic river bridge, once used to transport goods, people and livestock, built in 1908, remains to this day.

Transportation has become an essential part of Rifle’s development with its proximity to Interstate 70. Several ponds still exist along the four lane highway where earth was needed to build up the roadway close to the Colorado River.

Architecture

Coley’s Station remains very close to its original structure, it has housed several businesses such as a ceramics studio, architectural and insurance offices.

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