100 years ago: “Frank Grubb sent his valet in from the ranger station up the Animas to buy some groceries and other necessaries of life far removed from the war.”

75 years ago:“Just when it appeared that the paving in the parking lot of Safeway’s new location south of the Herald-Democrat building was ready to receive cars, the contractors proceeded to rip up the job and try again. Apparently the ground beneath the first job was not entirely settled. As a result the surface had a rolly-coaster effect not calculated to soothe prospective customers balancing eggs and fragile groceries.”

50 years ago: “The prolonged wailing of the rural fire siren was caused by a malfunction in the wiring system. There was no fire.”

25 years ago: “Railroad enthusiasts from around the world will converge on Durango to attend the ninth annual Narrow Gauge Convention. The convention could attract as many as 1,400 people.”

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