Editor’s note: The Pueblo Chieftain is taking a detailed look at life along the Lower Arkansas Valley, both the big communities and the smaller towns that make up Southeastern Colorado.

SWINK - A water tower looming above U.S. 50 between La Junta and Rocky Ford gives travelers the impression that it's standing watch over this small community.

Small businesses and homes dot the landscape across town. Looking south from U.S. 50, the town's largest building, Swink High School, tops the view from the few city streets. A small park greets people buzzing along the four-lane highway that bypasses the town.

Farm fields filled with produce surround the town and cornstalks form a shady wall to the south of the football field.

Swink officials call their town the "crown jewel of bedroom communities." Smaller than most towns in Colorado, it is little more than a speed bump on the way to La Junta. The old saying is: Don't blink, you'll miss Swink.

But officials here don't want people to blink. They prefer that passers-by keep their eyes wide-open to see firsthand a small farm community at its best.

"This community is something more than that. We want people to not blink. We want to let them know that we are here," Mayor Steve Cordova said. "This is a proud town and people here work hard."

Swink, originally called Fairmont, was later named after George Washington Swink, a state senator, local businessman and farmer.

The name-change came in the early 1900s because there were so many cities in the country already named Fairmont.

The first election in Swink was held in June 1906. By Dec. 1, the town had a population of 800, a newly elected town board, a town marshal and a new railroad that crossed the Arkansas River near the town's sugar factory and penetrated the rich farming territory north of the river.

George Swink, who also was the mayor of Rocky Ford in 1887, is credited as one of the first people to help start the melon industry in the valley.

Swink also established the agricultural festival known as Melon Day, a popular event held annually during the Arkansas Valley Fair in Rocky Ford.

Today, Swink is a thriving town of about 700 people who still are deep-rooted in small town compassion and camaraderie,

The town's rich history has helped new leaders to develop several new

projects around town.

Like most small towns, the school district plays a major part in the town's success. The school district and town officials are closely linked, Cordova said.

The construction of a new gymnasium at the school was completed this summer.

"That's important not only to the school, but to the entire town. We use some of the school's facilities for some of our recreation programs and several other things as well," Cordova said.

Swink School is a kindergarten through 12th grade school.

The town's library is housed in the school.

"Residents are able to access the school library and have a larger selection than if the library had its own library. That's a unique partnership," Cordova said.

Cordova said the town thrives because of partnerships.

"In about 2001, we partnered with the La Junta Rural Fire District to build a fire station here in Swink. And years later in 2009, we partnered with them again to build a brand new maintenance building in Swink," Cordova said.

The building was dedicated last month.

Cordova said the town council also is in the process of developing a new park at the corner of Kimble and Third streets.

"We already have planted some new trees. The park will help greet people along the highway and get them to notice our town," he said.

Cordova said the town council also is making improvements to Swink's infrastructure and water system with the placement of fire hydrants as part of a strategic plan for the community. He added that all water meters in town are now electronically read.

"I don't know that any other town in the valley has that technology. This strategic plan goes all the way to brand new signs on streets that had no signs," Cordova said.

"We get all these ideas from the community and the council, and we actually get it done. We have a really good town council and they are really cohesive," Cordova said.

Each year the town comes together to celebrate its history.

Town Clerk Terry Clodfelter said that next year's celebration will include an all-school reunion.

"That's anyone who ever went to school in Swink. Anyone who had anything to do with Swink will be invited," Clodfelter said.

The town celebrated its 100th birthday in 2006 and the town's population doubled during the celebration.

"This community is close. It's tied together through the agriculture in the valley. We have multi-generational families here," Cordova said.

Cordova, who attended Swink School, said he moved away and came back.

"My children have gone to school here and some of the teachers I had, my kids have as well. We know each other here," Cordova said.

"When people move here, a lot of them become lifelong residents."

Cordova said the success of the school has a large draw to the community.

"The school has an excellent reputation and a large percentage of the school's student population is out-of-district students. Swink is a desirable place to live because of the school reputation," Cordova said.

"If somebody gets hurt everyone wants to help out. I am proud to live in such a place," Clodfelter added.