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And the West is History

“The tailings left at the base of Smelter Mountain have been cleared away, and grass now is growing on the slopes in this September 1990 picture. The State Department of Health says the site will most likely be used for a public purpose, and local folks are quick with ideas.”

100 years ago: “The various raisers who brought in the 29 carloads of sheep took their purchases out. There were about 5,000 head of breeding ewes in the bunch.”

75 years ago: “A benefit dance sponsored by the young people’s committee of the Animas Valley Grange will be given at Trimble Springs, with the proceeds going toward the purchase of games and athletic equipment for the grange.”

50 years ago: “In honor of the thousands of visiting hunters and in recognition of the opening of the big-game season, the Durango Chamber of Commerce has designated Thursday and Friday as Red Shirt Days. During this period, everyone, especially the personnel in the stores, is urged to wear red shirts. Chamber Manager Mike Valentine says the tribute to the hunting season is paid in recognition of the almost $4 million spent annually in Southwestern Colorado by the big-game hunters.”

25 years ago: “Animas-La Plata Project supporters and opponents finally agree on one issue, albeit on different grounds: A proposal to build only half the project is stupid. Supporters fear that if irrigation features of the $422 million A-LP aren’t approved from the beginning, they risk never being built. Opponents say that money spent to begin a project that may never get final environmental approval is a waste.”

Most items in this column are taken from Herald archives, Center of Southwest Studies and Animas Museum. Their accuracy may not be verified.



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