100 years ago: “J. A. Apperson of Flora Vista came in from Cave Basin where he has been prospecting and staking out some valuable mining claims that he expects to vein mighty high in gold and silver values, mostly free milling ore. He says a lot of miners will be paying an income tax next year.”
75 years ago: “Monday morning will see the beginning of construction of the new Safeway store building in Durango. To be erected on the lots immediately south of the Herald-Democrat office, the building will be one story and will cost between $22,000-$23,000.”
50 years ago: This appeared in the section called Girl About Town: “Chief Goodluck and his wife, Navajos from near Gallup, have a stand in the Town Plaza where they make and display authentic Indian articles. It was most interesting watching him work on a headdress. There is also an artist there by the name of Rope who will paint a picture while you wait and frame it for you while he’s talking. He’s unique, in that he uses regular housepaint brushes for his work.”
25 years ago: “A wildfire at Mesa Verde National Park was quiet after a flare-up consumed 475 additional acres and forced park officials to call in another 50-75 firefighters. ... The Mesa Verde blaze, sparked by lightning and spotted July 8, has burned 3,075 acres and is 60 to 75 percent contained.”
Most items in this column are taken from Herald archives, Center of Southwest Studies and Animas Museum. Their accuracy may not be verified.
