100 years ago: Residents were warned to prepare for a railroad strike that was expected to heavily impact transportation and food distribution in the area.

75 years ago: A morning count of out-of-state cars that were seen driving in a one-block radius downtown included: three from Missouri, three from Utah, two from Oklahoma, two from Kansas and one each from Idaho, Nebraska, Ohio, California and Texas.

50 years ago: The La Plata County commissioners, at a board meeting, agreed that the county swimming pool was too cold and announced that new heating lines would be installed soon.

25 years ago: Fires that started by lightning strike and burned about 40 acres on Ute Mountain Ute tribal land at Mesa Verde were expected to be contained by nightfall, according to a Bureau of Indian Affairs official.

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