Our small town of Loveland, known as the Sweetheart City, didn’t earn that title through a marketing campaign or a grand promotional effort. Instead, it’s a title born of heartfelt actions, small-town kindness, and a unique tradition that has captured the spirit of love for generations. From the simple act of postmarking Valentine’s Day cards to becoming a national symbol of affection, the journey of how Loveland became the Sweetheart City is one of community, creativity, and above all, love.
For the people of Loveland, the Sweetheart City isn’t just a name—it’s a reflection of what makes their town and their connections to one another so special.
The story of how our small town earned its big heart all began in the 1940s with a simple spark of inspiration, during a time when the world was at war and people were searching for ways to stay connected to their loved ones. Dave Clark, a local businessman, saw an opportunity to offer a gesture that would bring people together in a unique and meaningful way. He proposed that Loveland become the place where people could send their Valentine’s Day cards and letters to be postmarked with a special heart-shaped stamp.
At the time, Loveland was a small, agricultural town with a population of just a few thousand. But Clark’s idea sparked something much larger than anyone expected. As word spread, thousands of cards arrived from across the country, eager to bear the Loveland heart-shaped postmark. The idea began to catch on, and soon, Loveland became known as the place to send your Valentine’s Day messages, not just for locals, but for people all over the United States and the world.
The town didn’t just process the cards; it embraced the idea with an open heart. Volunteers and residents came together to help sort and handstamp the thousands of letters, turning what could have been a simple task into a labor of love. The tradition quickly grew, and it wasn’t long before the town was receiving mail from every corner of the country, each letter seeking to be touched by the magic of Loveland’s heart-shaped postmark.
This Valentine’s Day postmark quickly became more than just a service—it became a symbol of the love that flowed through the community. For the people of Loveland, the task of processing those cards was a reminder of the town’s unique spirit. It wasn’t just about sending a card—it was about connecting with others, sharing messages of love, and being part of something bigger than yourself.
In our community, that sense of connection is at the core of what makes life special. Neighbors help neighbors, businesses support one another, and the town shares in the pride of creating something meaningful. Every year, as Valentine’s Day approaches, the whole town rallies together to ensure that love—literally—goes out into the world.
For many people, receiving a Valentine’s card with the Loveland postmark isn’t just about the stamp—it’s about the town itself. It’s about the thousands of hands that touched that letter, the smiles exchanged in the sorting process, and the shared pride of being part of a tradition that celebrates love in all its forms. In Loveland, love isn’t just something you send—it’s something you give, and something you receive, from the community itself.
While the Valentine’s Day postmark helped put Loveland on the map as the Sweetheart City, our town’s identity as a place of love would not be complete without its thriving artistic community. Loveland has long been home to a vibrant group of local artists, many of whom have made love, affection, and connection central themes of their work. Our public spaces and galleries are filled with sculptures, paintings, and other art that reflect the love and beauty that our communities hold dear.
One of the more recent noteworthy examples of this is the city “Heart Program” where individuals and business owners get to choose a local artist to paint and create their heart to align with their story or business history. When the heart is ready to be displayed for the public, they then do a “HeART” unveiling ceremony to promote and share with the community. This program celebrates not just the town’s artistic heritage but also its role as a place where love is honored and expressed in creative ways.
While the Valentine’s Day postmark and the vibrant arts scene are certainly part of Loveland’s identity, what truly makes our Sweetheart City special is its people. Here, love isn’t just something to celebrate on February 14th—it’s a value that permeates the entire year. The people here know each other, look out for one another, and show up when it matters most. Whether it’s a neighbor offering a helping hand, a local business supporting a community event, or a volunteer lending their time to a cause, the spirit of love and kindness is always present. In Loveland, the idea of community isn’t just a buzzword—it’s our way of life.
Today, Loveland continues to embrace its Sweetheart City legacy, with each new generation of residents adding their own unique touch to the town’s identity. As the town grows and changes, the spirit of love remains as strong as ever. It’s in the way neighbors care for each other, in the art that fills the streets, and in the community events that bring people together year-round.
For those of us who call Loveland home, the Sweetheart City isn’t just a title—it’s a testament to the power of love to build community, connect people, and create something truly special. And if the people of Loveland continue to nurture that love, the Sweetheart City will remain a place where hearts are always open, and where love is always in the air.
In Loveland, love isn’t just something you send—it’s something you live. And that’s what makes this small town with a big heart so extraordinary.
Here, love isn’t just something to celebrate on February 14th—it’s a value that permeates the entire year.