100 years ago: “The Fort Lewis school now has new dairy, good roads, and silo slides. ... A larger teaching force has been secured and Fort Lewis school will offer to boys and girls on Sept. 28 the best of school conditions.”
75 years ago: “Three prisoners in the La Plata County jail took French leave late last night, but two of them were back in the cells again this morning. ... Some time late last night they used a pair of pliers to remove big screws from a window frame, take out the window and make their escape.”
50 years ago: “An exhibit of original western paintings by Fred Harman, noted cartoonist, artist and rancher, will be held at the Arts West galleries in Rio Grande-land. Harman, who lives in Albuquerque, is the originator of the ‘Red Ryder’ comic strip with its world famous characters, Ryder and the Indian boy Little Beaver. The artist formerly owned a ranch on the Rio Blanco south of Pagosa Springs, and still keeps close ties with friends in that area as well as Durango.”
25 years ago: “The San Juan Skyway already has received national attention and U.S. Forest Service officials say their efforts to promote the scenic drive are just beginning. ... The San Juan Skyway was one of four scenic byways featured in a three-page advertisement in the June edition of Reader’s Digest.”
Most items in this column are taken from Herald archives, Center of Southwest Studies and Animas Museum. Their accuracy may not be verified.
