La Veta
1901: Woodmen of the World had a basket picnic in Ryus Grove [corner Main and Field streets] on the 4th with a lemonade and ice cream stand that was well patronized and music by the local band.
1907: Mrs. H.A. Allen and Mrs. William Patton bought three lots from D.D. Ryus in Ryus Park on Main Street for $500.
1913: The Denver and Rio Grande company has applied to the Town of La Veta to place a fire hydrant at the depot and this again raises the question of whether the railroad property is within the corporate limits.
1920: Some ladies were busy last week planting flowers around the fountain at the east end of the railroad park.
1926: A group enjoyed a five o’clock picnic breakfast at the Galassini bridge over the Cucharas last Monday morning.
1932: Nearly 70 members of the Presbyterian church and Sunday school took their annual picnic to Sulphur Springs Tuesday and everyone from tiny tots to 85-year-old members enjoyed the outing.
1938: Seven automobiles and a big truck carrying the La Veta band members and local business men visited neighboring towns last week to advertise the July Fourth celebration here and the effort paid off.
1944: The annual intermediate Sunday school camp for the boys and girls of southern Colorado and their teachers will be next week in Cuchara Camps.
1950: Huerfano County will get rain on or about July 11 according to the rainmaker who will seed the clouds for $25,000.
1956: The fellow who is continually asking his bartender for one more for the road will eventually get a cop for a chaser.
1962: Mrs. E.A. Stansbury retired after 18 years as assistant postmaster to devote more time to her lovely home and garden on Ryus Avenue. Her husband retired from the La Veta schools in May after 14 years, and was postmaster from 1943 to 1957.
Walsenburg
1898: The Walsenburg nine put up one of the worst games of ball that ever disgraced the annals of sport when the team lost 13-3 at Pictou’s 4th of July celebration.
1903: Walking skirts are moving upward … and the intelligent observer can now see for himself that women have two feet.
1912: Coming to Walsenburg, July 15, Yankee Robinson Three Ring Circus, combined with Texas Bill’s Wild West Rough Riders, with a flying machine, Kongo the largest elephant on earth, Mexican bull fighters, Russian dancers and much more.
1919: The Drs. Lamme have begun work on the extension to the rear of Star Drug store, which will be extended back to the alley and will contain five rooms for their offices.
1927: Miss Eileen Philpott, 16 years old and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Philpott of Pictou, began her career as a radio singer last night on a Denver station.
1933: A.J. Sears and Son will have a gala grand opening this weekend of their new one stop service station and auto agency at the corner of Fourth and Main streets.
1939: Fruit Pies, small for 8 cents; medium for 18 cents; large for 28 cents, only at Jolly Boy Bakery, 519 Main Street.
1945: Mrs. C.A. Brunelli asked city council to help develop a new recreational enterprise sponsored by the Civic League which has obtained title to lots at Pinon and Hendren on which to build tennis courts.
1951: Walsenburg’s oldest resident, affectionately known as Grandma Agnes, is 101 years old today. She has lived in Huerfano County for 63 years, since 1888.
1957: During its first four days since opening, the Walsenburg swimming pool has been jammed by 500 people per day.
1964: Wanda Utt, 1964 Mrs. Colorado, was burned by a lightning strike Tuesday afternoon while talking on the telephone with Mrs. Lena Sinkovich.
1970: The Musical Wranglerettes of Abbie Corsentino, Brenda Corsentino, Tina Vanotti and Lonna Vezzani won the Sub-Teen Ensemble competition and will go to the 4-H district talent festival in Alamosa.
1978: A fire has destroyed about 900 acres of timberland on Greenhorn Mountain near Rye. Some 200 men are fighting it and hope to have it contained by tonight.
