LOVELAND (AP) – In 2012, Loveland’s Jesse G. Shepherd made his first trip out to the Virginia Dale Stage Station during the 150th anniversary celebration for the building.
It was only in operation from 1862 to about 1868 and was used as a stop for travelers on the Overland Trail. He wrote a song called “Stations on the Road” and made a short video for an out-of-state friend who shared his love of Western movies.
“It’s an instant feel of, wow, there’s a lot of history there,” he said.
He had always wanted to make videos, so he thought he would expand on the short video. It turned into a four-year project.
Shepherd knew that the Virginia Dale Community Club was working toward renovations and thought the song and video could be useful to bringing awareness to the project.
“Just called them up to see if they were interested,” Shepherd said.
They accepted, and he started to write the script.
Shepherd based the video off of a Mark Twain novel, “Roughing It,” about Twain meeting with Jack Slade, the man who established the station. The idea is that travelers would hear all these stories about Slade as they traveled across the country that would build up the image of him before they got there.
“We thought it would be fun and then, if we got some donations by the way, even better,” said Sylvia Garofalo, president of the Virginia Dale Community Club.
The Virginia Dale Community Club has worked to restore the station and has amped up its efforts since 2012. The club has been able to replace the windows, rafters and the chimney as well as stabilize the building, which was starting to lean, Garofalo said.
There’s still a long way to go as the group would like to replace the front porch and ceiling, among other projects.
The group will also have its first big fundraiser, “An Evening with Jack Slade,” at 5:30 p.m. on June 4 at the Hilton, 425 W. Prospect Road, Fort Collins.
“We took a leap of faith and thought we would try this,” Garofalo said.
The event will include a live and silent auction, live music and dinner. The cost is $75 per person. To receive an invite, which will include meal choices, call 970-493-6955. Reservation are due May 21.
A Western dance is also planned for 7 p.m. June 10 at the station, and tours are available upon request for a small fee.
“I don’t know how much longer I’m going to live, but that’s going to be around for a long time,” Shepherd said about the station.
To see the video, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KJZemd50K8.
