Bridging Bailey: How HiBai and LoBai Bring Clarity and Unity to Our Community

Bailey is a community rich in history and natural beauty, but for years, identifying different parts of town has been a challenge. Visitors and even some residents have struggled to connect the Bailey's downtown area and the residential and commercial zones near County Road 43. The 43 area has been known by many names—Crow Hill, Delwood, 43A, and even Deer Creek on some deed agreements—leading to confusion for visitors.

Bailey is not your typical small town—our community is spread over a large area, separated by a mountain, a highway, and vast stretches of land. This natural dispersion has made it even more challenging to create a unified sense of place and identity. With businesses and homes scattered across different elevations and terrains, it's easy for both residents and visitors to feel disconnected or unsure of where things are located.

About a year ago, the Platte Canyon Area Chamber of Commerce conducted research to better understand community needs. Through community input and historical references, we found that some locals have referred to these two areas by their nicknames: HiBai and LoBai. Rather than creating something new, the Chamber chose to embrace these familiar terms to provide clarity and consistency for everyone.

By adopting clear identifiers, Bailey can benefit from:

• More effective tourist map, wayfinding signage and marketing materials.
• A better experience for visitors and new residents.
• Improved communication within the community.

We recognize that change can be met with mixed feelings, and not everyone may agree with these names. However, this decision was made thoughtfully and with significant community input. Our goal is to create a more navigable and welcoming town without losing sight of Bailey’s unique character and charm.

Ultimately, HiBai and LoBai are just geographic markers — a way to bring clarity that while we are spread out we are one community,  No matter where you are in Bailey, we are all part of one community working together to make it stronger and more connected.