Meeker, Stories

Meeker’s fastest 100-yard dash

—Harold Ball’s record still stands 67 years later—

Harold Ball moved to Meeker almost 80 years ago and his family history in the area goes back even further. Ball will forever hold the MHS 100-dash record he sent in 1945, since the race is now measured in meters. Ball ran track at Colorado University where he earned a degree in architectural engineering and worked for CDOT for 32 years, starting in Meeker where he helped build Highway 64.


MEEKER I From the record-setting 100-yard dash in 1945 to his extensive family history in the area, Harold Ball’s story is an interesting one. He ran a 10.1 second 100-yard dash in Rifle his senior year. He was unsure about the composition of the track surface but is certain it was faster then the Meeker track at that time. Track meets in Meeker at that time were held on the horse track at the fairgrounds. Harold went on to run track for Colorado University. His 100-yard dash record will stand forever, now that track events are measured in meters.
Harold was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Wright O. Ball and Marguerite G. Lunny. His grandfather was Ruben S. Ball and Ruben’s half sister was Susan C. Wright, who came to Meeker in March 1883. Susan opened the first hotel in Meeker. She fell ill in 1892 and called Ruben to come back to run the hotel for her. She passed away in 1893, leaving the hotel, the lot and $8,000 in debt. Susan was originally from North Carolina and wished to be buried there, but it was winter in Colorado so Ruben built a cover, and kept his promise when the snow melted.
In 1896 the east and west wings of the hotel were added. The hotel was sold in 1928. The Great Depression hit in 1929 and the people running the hotel couldn’t keep it, so they called Wright Ball, Harold’s dad, who had moved with the family to Long Beach, Calif., to run the hotel again.
Wright came back to Meeker in 1932, planning to move his family back in May 1933. A terrible 6.3 earthquake hit Long Beach on March 10, 1933, and two weeks later Wright managed to get his family safely to Meeker.
Harold vividly recalls the quake. “It was a roar, and women were screaming and trying to run but a shock would come and they couldn’t go anywhere.“ He added, “You could see the sidewalk moving with the shock.“ The damage from the quake was substantial and many people were left without a place to stay.
In a strange coincidence, Freeman Fairfield lived in a mansion in Long Beach and many people stayed there following the disaster. Harold remembers sleeping in the car outside the mansion.
The Ball family ran the hotel for four years, selling it to Paul Dunn in 1936, who added the café. The story is that he bought the café for his daughter when she got married. Wright became the postmaster after the hotel sold and worked there until he became sick.
Harold refers to the maternal side of his family as the Irish side. His grandfather was Owen H. Lunny. There were about 16 kids in the family and three of the siblings came to Leadville to work in the mines. Harold’s grandfather and his friend Mr. Murray homesteaded what is now the Irish Mesa. Two Irishmen, hence the name. Owen would hire help and have them homestead land and then buy the land from them, enabling him to acquire more land. There is a reservoir in the Jensen Wildlife Area up Coal Creek near where he homesteaded named Lunny Reservoir as well as a mountain called Lunny Mountain
Harold was 6-1/2 years old when his family arrived in Meeker. He had to start the first grade over because they left California in March. He attended grade school in the old school where the Sixth Street field is now. That building was condemned when he was in sixth grade. He attended sixth through the eighth grade in the old elementary school and was graduated from high school in 1945. The high school then was in the building used as the administration building now. He attended college in Boulder where he majored in architectural engineering. He received a job with what was then called the Colorado Department of Highways. He worked there for 32 years, beginning in Meeker working on Highway 64. He walked the trip from Meeker to Rangely several times before the road was finally completed. After the completion of Highway 64 he was moved to Steamboat where he was involved in projects like the preliminary work and construction of Rabbit Ears pass, the highway from Granby to Grand Lakes, I-70 east and west from Vail and relocating the center line through the canyon for construction. Harold retired in 1982 and has since enjoyed a trip through Europe and other travels.
Harold, 86, said, “I don’t look back on the time and wish I had done this or that.” He talked about how quickly the time has passed, remembering many details of his history as though they happened yesterday, like the music his mother played on the piano, and the time he spent with his brother. Perhaps it has been Harold’s attention to detail and appreciation for the collaboration of that detail that has contributed to his longevity and success in his life. Whatever his secret, he has lived longer than many and run faster then anyone in town for nearly 70 years.

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  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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1/9
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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2 days ago
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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View on Instagram |
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View on Instagram |
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
5 days ago
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