Walsenburg 1881: There were 891 ballots cast in Huerfano County to decide where the state capital will be located. Denver received 33 votes, Colorado Springs, 76, and Pueblo was favored with 494. 1889: Each pay day at the coal mines puts more money in circulation in Walsenburg. 1895: Arthur Wright has leased the Walsenburg World – he undertakes to run the world, some others only run Huerfano County. 1901: Our Walsenburg schools show a decided overcrowding with regular attendance of 386 daily and a full enrollment of 425. It would be impossible to enforce the compulsory attendance law here. There would be no room. 1907: There will be a quoiting contest Thanksgiving afternoon in the Merritt brothers saloon near Walsen Camp. 1913: Although some of the strikers are leaving their tent colonies and applying for their old jobs back, the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company is shipping in colored miners to work in their stead 1919: A large golden eagle, measuring seven feet wing tip to wing tip and caught in a trap near the Rattlesnake Buttes, is being displayed in a cage in the Neelley real estate office. 1926: This is Canned Foods Week and bargains can be found at Joe’s Market and Grocery, Star Grocery, Snodgrass Food Company, Fulton Market, Walsenburg Mercantile, the C.O.D. Store and Economy Grocery. 1931: Al and His Midnight Stompers, a seven piece colored band, will play for a dance Thanksgiving Night in Maccabee Hall. 1937: Icy highways resulting from the area’s first heavy snowfall of the season claimed one life, injured several and sent cars and trucks plunging into ditches throughout the area. 1943: A nine hour work day in the mines was approved by the United Mine Workers of America officials as well as a 15 minute lunch break not paid for. 1949: An estimated 20,000 packs of cigarettes are sold in Walsenburg every month, earning the city $375. 1955: The Huerfano County High School band will have a carnival with games, darts, wheel of fortune, fish pond, and prizes galore, including electric percolators, groceries and 100 big surprises. It begins at 7 pm Friday. 1962: James A. Boies was elected president of the Huerfano County Chamber of Commerce, Wayne Van Schoyck and Forrest Spiker, vice presidents and Domenic Nardini, treasurer. 1968: State Senator Sam T. Taylor, who has served since 1934, was re-elected minority leader of the Colorado Senate. 1972: Cheerleaders at Washington School this year are Lonna Vezzani,
captain, Sheila Hudson, Pam Crump, Adrienna Martinez, Suzy Elley and Cathy Mejia. 1978: Heroic efforts by coaches, custodians, city crewmen and many volunteers were required last Saturday to clear snow off all 5,000 square yards of the football field in time for the district playoff. 1984: Died, Albert Amiday, 62, a native of Huerfano County. After serving in World War II he returned to build the area’s first ski tow on La Veta Pass. He built the AAA Motel on North Walsen from bricks from Alamo Camp after the mine closed.
La Veta 1882: The Baptist social Tuesday night at the residences of F.A. Moore and Sam Todd was largely attended and a very pleasant social affair. The next social will take place in the La Veta Hotel. 1888: Town Board awarded the contract to build sidewalks to J.N. Vorseese [Vories]. 1896: Potato growers say that potatoes are worth one cent a pound in the coal mining camps and they accordingly are selling the produce there at the highest market price and naturally are buying their supplies at the same place. 1900: The high school roll of honor includes Daisy Hamilton, Henry Garren, Blanche Hamilton, Wallace Eggleston and Emma Mauldin. There are 17 boys and 20 girls enrolled, for a total of 37. 1906: On the night of the 28th there will be a grand masquerade dance in the Opera House. This is Thanksgiving Eve and a big crowd is expected to attend. 1912: William Fey is rebuilding the ice house and fixing up a pumping plant to flood the ice after it begins to form, to speed the freezing process and facilitate cutting operations. 1918: The old Ryus Hall behind the Spanish Peaks Hotel on Ryus Avenue is being torn down. Twenty or thirty years ago the building was much larger and was used for all the dances and meetings. 1924: The dry weather has facilitated the hauling and marketing of hay, grain, lumber, props and ties, upon which this community so much depends for its living. 1930: The street lamps have been removed from the center of Ryus Avenue and all others will be eventually moved to the curbings. 1936: Mayor W.B. Hall says that in future rowdiness and foul language will not be allowed in La Veta. He will instruct the marshal not to be so lenient with the visitors. 1942: The high school girls have been advised to stop wearing slacks to school. 1948: A move is on, supported by Sen. Taylor and Rep. Abe, to rename Mount Baldy in honor of Felix B. Mestas Jr., the hero of Montebattalia, Italy’s now famous Battle Mountain., 1954: Nineteen hundred head of feeder cattle brought a total of $165,765.47 at the annual feeder sale sponsored by the Huerfano County Hereford Breeders Association. There were 30 consignors from Huerfano, Custer and Costilla counties. 1960: The La Veta Redskins, defending champions, will go the Class C finals after defeating New Castle 58-12. 1966: Mrs. Fred Hector sold her home on Oak Street to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Viola. 1973: A surprise birthday dinner party was held at the Quentin Engleman home for Crystal Renee Leap’s 16th birthday. 1979: Friends of the Arts Guild will have its annual Christmas Bazaar in the old Presbyterian Church with arts, crafts and baked goods. 1986: Town Board agreed to buy approximately 16 acres from the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad for $52,500, including Town Park, Ryus Point Park, Hobo Park and other parcels including the land on which the maintenance building, lumberyard and filling station are sited.
