The Colorado-New Mexico Fair was a Durango feature in the early years of the 20th Century. Its purpose was to promote the town and the region and bring visitors into Durango. One highlight was the 1913 appearance of an aeroplane that took off and landed several times, but, alas, it eventually crashed. The pilot claimed he had gained a world’s altitude flying record. Of course, when he took off at over 6,500 feet he gained an advantage over planes at sea level!
HHH
Bayfield Blade Oct. 7, 1909
The Colorado-New Mexico fair at Durango came to a close last Friday. Everybody who attended pronounced it the best in the history of the air association – both in the quantity and quality of the exhibits and the high standard of the amusements offered for the gratification of the sporting class. Following are some excerpts from the two Durango dailies (Durango Herald, Durango Democrat).
The ball games on the four days between Durango and Alamosa resulted as follows: First day – Alamosa 3, Durango 1; Second day – Alamosa 5, Durango 4; Third day – Alamosa 14, Durango 7; Fourth day – Alamosa 11, Durango 3.
The bout was to have taken place on Thursday night was forbidden by the officers when nearly all arrangements had been completed and the sports were disappointed and chagrined.
The five mile relay race was won by the Mexican rider over the Indian, but the Indian had the sympathy of the crowd as the Mexican rider was assisted every time in cinching the saddle and his dusky companion made no effort to stop his horses, one of the running past the stopping place and losing considerable time. However, less than an eighth of a mile separated the two at the end of five miles.
HHH
In the baby contest there were 17 entries and after due deliberation the judges decided that the baby boy belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Horter should receive first premium for boys and the girl belonging to Mr. and Mrs. McCartney should also receive first ...
HHH
Mrs. J.P. Lowell won the five dollar prize offered by the Gallotti Inv. Co. for the best gallon of apple butter.
J.P. Lowell of Pine River had on exhibit 30 different kinds of grasses, five varieties of oats, five of wheat and two of barley. Mr. Lowell’s National oats took the medal at the World’s Fair in St. Louis. ... This season of the year it is a great sacrifice for him to devote his time to the fair, but he does it and does it cheerfully. It is men like Mr. Lowell’s type that makes the outside world know that Durango is on the map.
The festivities of the fair wound up Friday evening. Until 11 o’clock Main street was lined with maskers and spectators watching their antics. They all had their innocent little fun. The dance was the largest ever held in Redman Hall. The kangaroo court was busy for a time. Unsuspecting persons were brought before the court and fined for various things they were charged with having committed. Others were assessed a fine for not doing those same things. And so it went on until a neat sum was accumulated for charity.
Duane Smith is a Fort Lewis College history professor. Reach him at 247-2589.
