And the West is History: Fiesta Children’s Parade – 1959

The launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik in October 1957 shocked Americans by its technological breakthrough. The United States resolved to compete with the Soviets in the “race to space.” Space-travel fever gripped America, including Durango. In this 1959 photo from the Spanish Trails Fiesta Children’s Parade, a group of youngsters adopt a space-related theme, posing as extraterrestrials in search of a leader. The following group towed a cardboard rocket ship in their quest to reach the moon. Today, billionaire entrepreneurs hope to make space tourism a viable commercial business. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum (Courtesy of La Plata County Historical Society)