100 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
July 9, 1926
Pagosa Springs was a busy and exciting place for three days during the Fourth of July celebration which began Saturday noon and the festivities did not cease until the close of the dances on Monday evening.
The attendance was one of the largest ever assembled in this city, and local people were hard put to accommodate them in the way of room and feeding, but we did not learn of any real inconvenience in that respect, the visitors graciously realizing the situation.
About two hundred Indians, mostly Utes, but with a scattering of Apache, Pueblo and Navajo added color and interest to the celebration. Their presence was a decided hit to the hordes of visitors and the Indian dances on the streets in the evening were the delight of both young and old.
One of the pleasing features of the three-day affair was the street parade on Monday morning, which was sponsored by the Woman’s Civic Club of this city. Three strangers were chosen and judges awarded first prize for the best entry to little Eva Jean Olson in her miniature Packard coupe.
75 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
July 6, 1951
The past week has seen several forest fires in the county, with the largest being on Indian lands. This blaze started last Saturday and has burned over more than 4000 acres since that time. Most of this land has been on the Apache and Ute Indian lands in New Mexico. The fire spread across the state line into this county the fore part of the week and destroyed several hundred acres here. As we go to press it is reported under control.
Sheriff Norman Ottoway reported three fires this past week on private and state lands. Two of these fires are in the Cumbres area and the third was on Archuleta Mountain.
It has been many years since the woods and the hills were so dry at this time of the year. The fire hazards are great and fires under such dry conditions spread with amazing rapidity. Forest and local officials warn all those in this area to exercise the utmost caution and urge that all fires be reported promptly. More than half of the fires this year have been man caused and the damage is mounting rapidly.
50 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
July 8, 1976
The 28th Red Ryder Roundup was a successful affair from almost every standpoint. Crowds were large, the weather was nice, there were no serious accidents, and performances were smooth and exciting.
Morning parades were very good and the entries were outstanding. The crowd jamming the parade route on July 4 was one of the largest ever. This was also true of the attendance at the rodeo on July 4.
The crowd was estimated at more than 3000 and this was either the largest crowd, or second largest crowd in the history of the Red Ryder Roundup. The second day crowd was estimated at just over one half of the July 4 crowd. Spectators and contestants starting arriving on Friday and the town was crowded on Saturday before the rodeo.
Local merchants, service stations, cafes, and motels report a near record business on the 4th.
25 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
July 5, 2001
Reconstruction of the Stevens Field taxiway started Monday, following a county commissioner split-vote approving the project.
The vote was taken last Thursday during a special meeting of the board of county commissioners. Included in the motion to begin the work was a provision that $200,000 be taken from unbudgeted and unappropriated surplus funds in the county general fund. Voting in favor of starting the work and appropriating the money were commissioners Gene Crabtree and Alden Ecker. Opposed was Commissioner Bill Downey.
Crabtree and Ecker cited county liability as the controlling reason for their start-the-work vote. The county owns the airport and leases land for hangars along the taxiway. The hangars are built by private owners. Crabtree and Ecker argued that, as landlord, the county is obligated to provide the hangar owners safe access.
Downey reported three reasons for opposing the action.
“I think we should have the money first,” Downey said. “I also hoped the hangar owners would agree to share some of the cost. Finally, I see this as an action to benefit a few at a cost to many. The money could likely be better spent for other needs, maybe roads.”
>