100 years ago: “The Red Apple train brought nearly 50 persons, and one widow, in from Farmington and Aztec, on account of the big field and track meeting at the local grounds. Lots of pretty girls and many husky school athletes were included in the arrivals.”

75 years ago: “La Plata County now is operating on a cash basis – the first time in several years. All school districts in the county are ‘in the black’ and no registered warrants are being issued. The county itself is free from bonded debt with the paying off of the last of the courthouse building bonds.”

50 years ago: “Winds brought the first of the annual complaints about the blowing tailings from the Vanadium Corporation of America stockpile. Shortly before 5 p.m., residents had a hard time seeing down Main Avenue.”

25 years ago: “Sheriff Bill Gardner climbed into a pit of a campground outhouse at Haviland Lake to rescue a Durango man neck deep in excrement. The 28 year old man was in critical condition at Mercy Medical Center. Authorities were trying to figure out how he got into the outhouse pit.”

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