100 years ago: “New malady attacks cows and horses: Stockmen are alarmed by rapid spread of ‘tongue-and-mouth’ disease. A hitherto unknown disease has extended to practically all stock-growing sections of the San Juan in the last two months. Investigators declared that milk from infected cows is not fit for human consumption.”

75 YEARS AGO: “Apartment for rent: 2 furnished rooms at 752 Seventh Ave. $6/month.”

50 YEARS AGO: “Get twice the control in danger spots with a 1967 Jeep Wagoneer: Just flip one simple lever into Jeep 4-wheel drive at any speed, and you hug the road with twice the traction of other cars. 250 hp V-8 or Hi-Torque 6-cylinder engines. Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission.”

25 YEARS AGO: “One of the long-hallowed traditions of ski areas, that of employees flipping a few burgers and then spending the rest of the winter on skis, is no more. ‘We had a problem with people working one day a week and receiving a season pass,’ said Purgatory’s director of human resources. What does this mean for those who had planned on skiing Ft. Lewis College and getting a degree in their spare time? Welcome to the real world.” – “Extra Points” by David Kirvin.

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