Walsenburg
1902: Manuel and Luciano Atencio have moved their saloon from the old Bertolero place to the corner of Fifth and Main streets.
1908: The masquerade ball put on by the officials of the Sunnyside mine Saturday night at Strong was the event of the season, overcrowding the capacities of the camp.
1914: Leading business men and citizens of Walsenburg who died during the past year are Charles H. Werden and David O. Pritchard in February, J.B. Gittings, Ernest C. McGill and Dr. Pliny P. Lester in April and David H. Miller in October.
1921: F.I. Barron is still improving his barbershop, having lately installed an electric washing machine for his patrons.
1927: Seven of 22 applicants were admitted to citizenship this week – Louis Zohar, Hungary; Haralampos Zicoumakis, Greece; Mike Stimac, John Zagar and Dan Kokovich, Jugo-Slavia; Sister Mary Louise, France and Ossip Kallandar, Russia.
1934: Sixteen of 23 applicants passed their naturalization tests before the district judge.
1939: Hungry burglars stole 14 fruit cakes from the home economics room at Huerfano County High School (HCHS).
1944: A vapor trail left by a high flying airplane caused considerable excitement among Walsenburg residents yesterday.
1950: Margery Hazzard and Ann McFie, seniors, Alfreda Stephens, sophomore and Alma Caldwell, freshman, are the only HCHS students on the straight A honor roll.
1956: Ernest H. and Ruth Bard, respected Walsenburg couple of 30 years, died when their light plane crashed northwest of Salt Lake City on their way to the funeral of his brother in Oregon.
1963: The annual Christmas decorations are going up on Main Street and along the 100 block of West 7th Street.
1969: An early morning fire Monday razed The Villa coffee shop, restaurant and lounge of Nick Morelli at the north edge of town, across the street from the Crescent Motel.
1976: Fashion Shoe Mart and Beauty Shop were sold this week by Mr. and Mrs. Mike Vigil, who started the firm in 1945, to Richard “Sonny” and Mary Lou Abila.
1983: Nick Griego was named Most Valuable Wrestler in the annual Alamosa tournament last weekend.
La Veta
1900: If the whooping cough and scarlet fever epidemics let up there will be a Christmas tree for Woodmen of the World members and their families Dec. 25 in Ryus Hall, with dinner and a visit from Santa Claus who will bring treats for the children.
1907: Three of Herbert Capps’ children are down with typhoid fever at their home.
1913: Sleighs and coasters are the order of the day with the three feet of snow that has fallen since last weekend.
1920: Will somebody please do something desperate and tell us about it to provide us with some local news?
1926: The Booster Sunday School class earned $25 on their box social Tuesday evening and Zella Rich won the cake for being the prettiest girl present.
1931: One of La Veta’s worst ever fires occurred Tuesday when Milo Street’s house on South Oak burned completely down, along with all the family’s furnishings.
1938: Commercial Club voted to change its name to La Veta Chamber of Commerce.
1943: Ellis Smith and Mrs. Lilly Riggins were married Dec. 3 at the home of the groom’s sister, Mrs. Robert Weir, by the Rev. J.H. Gerault of the Baptist Church.
1949: The Women’s Relief Corps presented the La Veta schools with an American flag during the Dec. 8 P.T.A. meeting.
1955: A lot of blondes are a cross between a brunette and a drug store.
1964: Cathy Huffman, senior, was the only student to earn all A’s in La Veta High.
1971: The Odd Fellows will have a Pancake Supper at their hall Saturday, Dec. 11. The public is invited to attend.
1977: After serving the United Methodist Church in La Veta for more than seven years, the Rev. Karl Schuster gave his final sermon Nov. 27.
1982: This Saturday, Dec. 11, will be Learn to Ski at Panadero Day with free ski lessons under the direction of John Caudill, director of the ski school, and his instructors.
1986: Cuchara Valley Resort will have appreciation day for local residents tomorrow with $1 lift tickets.
1991: Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC), owner of the long idle Cuchara Valley Resort, is currently negotiating its sale to Dick Davis of Arlington, Texas.
