100 years ago: “Dr. P.G. Capps who went out to the Fort Lewis Mesa to investigate a reported case of smallpox returned. He says he found the woman out in the yard feeding the chickens, and she appeared to be in ordinarily good health except for the probable salubrious effect a bath might have, and he diagnosed the trouble as common, or chicken yard itch.”

75 years ago: “The music concert by members of the Durango High School musical organizations won high praise from the hundreds of people who packed the Smiley Junior High auditorium to hear the 135 students in their difficult and pleasing renditions.”

50 years ago: HESPERUS – “The Hare brothers of Bloomfield, New Mexico, who have developed regional interest in skiing during the last five years at the Hesperus ski center welcome the coming of Ray Duncan and his Purgatory skiing development north of Durango. Wilbur Hare said, ‘The promotion Duncan must undertake to attract out-of-town skiers to the fine double chair lift will also help bring skiers to us.’”

25 years ago: “Longtime railroad man and celebrated Durango native Alva F. Lyons died at the age of 92. The former conductor of the Denver & Rio Grande Western railroad had a 51-year career with the railroad and logged an impressive record of community involvement.”

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