100 years ago: “Hugo R. Buerger, partner in the famous firm of Buerger Brothers of Denver, came in on the Southern. Hugo can tell you more about hair tonics in the German language than a Frenchman can think of.”
75 years ago: “Charged with crossing the orange stripe on a highway curve and with excessive speeding within Durango city limits, a Bayfield man was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Laten Ballou. He was found guilty and drew a fine and costs totaling $12.50.”
50 years ago: “Dedication of a plaque to the memories of two Durango firemen killed in the line of duty will be held at the city’s new public safety building, Second and Tenth. It was on that same site that Louis G. Hoffman, assistant fire chief, and Elzie I. Briggs, engineer, were killed when a burning wall fell on them. Housed in the building was an automotive firm. The fire occurred on Feb. 19, 1954.”
25 years ago: “John Brennan and Nancy Wiley showed why Durango is turning into a whitewater hotspot. The two Durangoans, one just starting a career in whitewater racing and the other a nationally recognized competitor, won the overall men’s and women’s titles in this weekend’s Dias del Rio Animas (the sixth annual Animas River Days).”
Most items in this column are taken from Herald archives, Center of Southwest Studies and Animas Museum. Their accuracy may not have been verified.
