100 years ago: A caution to those who planned to attend “the Fair” said, “Those attending the Fair should be unusually watchful when crossing the street between crossings. Safety First, and cut it out would be the best plan.”
75 years ago: A “big” deposit of high-grade vanadium ore was discovered, and “extensively explored,” on Lightner Creek, 12 miles northwest of Durango.
50 years ago: During a three-day visit in Durango, U.S. Rep. Wayne Aspinall, chairman of the House of Interior committee, focused on clearing up the uncertainty surrounding five Southwest Colorado water projects.
25 years ago: Dorris Ferguson, city rose consultant, and Richard Roskowinski, parks and recreation director, discussed how to transplant 81 roses from the front of Durango Public Library to the Gateway Park entrance.
100 years ago: A traffic collision occurred in Durango and involved Walter Jakway, who, in his Ford, “came up Eighth street from the direction of the railroad tracks” and was side-swiped by “another flivver” that came around the corner. The second vehicle’s radiator was smashed and Jakway “lost the running board off the side of the car.” No one was injured in the crash, “beyond their general feelings.”
75 years ago: The office of price administration froze all stocks of six types of men’s rubber boots and rubber work shoes, and announced that certificate rationing would begin the following Monday.
50 years ago: The next engagement in the interstate war between Arizona and Colorado was scheduled, and would feature Sen. Carl Hayden, D-Ariz., who was expected to “take another swipe at construction money for the Frying-pan-Arkansas project.
25 years ago: Following a meeting with Durango City Council, Dan Brassell, Durango Public Library director, announced that he hoped the 1,500-square-foot expansion of the library would begin in late October or early November.
Most items in this column are taken from The Durango Herald archives, Center of Southwest Studies and Animas Museum. Their accuracy may not be verified.
