Can a town on the outskirts of a major metropolitan area hide, sequestered from passersby and real estate developers for more than a century?

Apparently.

Louviers, Colorado, pronounced "L'veers" by residents, is situated less than four miles north of Sedalia on the west side of Highway 85.

You have to know what you are looking for when you travel to Louviers. No hint of a town is visible from the highway. One small sign pointing west offers a clue.

Entering Louviers is at once nostalgic and eerie. I at first considered this quaint village might be the old set for fictitious TV town Mayberry.

I passed a tree-lined entrance to something off the main road with a sign cautioning visitors to keep out unless on official business. Rock markers on each end of town bear plaques indicating the town's historical significance. Things about town carry the name "DuPont".

Though some dwellings on the outskirts are in desperate need of refurbishing or bulldozing, in the heart of this postcard homes and buildings show proud adherence to original architecture and neatness. More than an early 1900's museum, here lies a museum town.

Snapping pictures in Louviers, I ran across a village picnic in progress and cornered friendly participants, residents who explained its existence.

In 1908, resident Wayne Oblander explained, the DuPont family opened an explosives manufacturing company here, which operated until closure in 1986. Remnants of the factory remain, he said. I would have to drive up the forbidden tree-lined entrance I passed to view them.

Mr. Oblander said workers came out by railroad from Denver to work at the factory in its early years and lived in tents and shacks along Plum Creek running near. Over the years, however, DuPont owners built a town for employees and their families, including stores, a school and houses.

Wayne explained technology eventually caused diminished demand for the sort of explosives manufactured in Louviers, which were for use in dynamite.

He pointed out a row of turn-of the-century Victorian homes along the crest of a hill west of the village. Those old homes, some stately and some fallen into disrepair, were the residences of the highest ranking DuPont executives. No DuPont family members ever lived in Louviers as far as he knew, and he should know.Wayne Oblander worked at the DuPont plant for forty years.

Highway 85, or Santa Fe, is currently under reconstruction from neighboring Sedalia south to Happy Canyon. Without a doubt the highway will also be expanded north from Sedalia to Highlands Ranch. The expansion will bring the new century to Louviers' front steps.

What then?

I don't know how tiny Louviers can possibly escape urban gobble as Denver metro creeps south. I am not sure how it has escaped thus far.

I'd recommend a look at this time capsule soon. Though the old school and stores are long gone, many buildings have survived beautifully.

I'd also recommend taking plenty of photos of Louviers. You might want to show them to your grandchildren.