Photo: Animas School First Grade – 1962

These first grade pupils and their teacher, Mrs. Purcell, sat on the front steps of Animas School for their class picture in 1962. Many prominent north Durango family names of the time are represented. They include: Semler, Trimble, Nystrom, Collins, Miller, Edwards, Egger, Fanto, Austin, McCoy, Atencio, Hubertus, Sheldon, Aragon and Bell. This class spent their first five years at the Animas School, which closed in 1967. They were sent to Needham School for their sixth and final elementary year. It was a difficult transition for some. Most of these students become eligible for Medicare this year. The Animas School, built in 1904, is now home to the Animas Museum. <br><br>Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum.org