RBC | The Union Pacific Railroad established a depot in Rawlins, Wyoming, in 1868, the same year as the Ute treaty that pushed the tribe into western Colorado Territory. The first White River Agency was established in the area where the river leaves the canyon. Nathan Meeker relocated the agency[Read More…]
Tag: Meeker History
HISTORY LESSONS: The Powell Expedition
RBC | There were several reasons that many military men and former military men became western frontier explorers, miners, cowboys, lawmen and outlaws. Veteran campaigners were familiar with traveling long distances, often without regular meals or water. Veterans of the Indian Wars had a healthy respect for the Native American[Read More…]
The land remembers: Honoring the full story of Rio Blanco County
RBC | As Rio Blanco County reflects on America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th anniversary, we are invited to do more than celebrate. We are invited to remember. Long before Colorado achieved statehood, this region was home to the Ute people, who maintain deep ancestral ties to the White River[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: The grain scale and bushel basket
RBC | No, it’s not a fancy wash tub like Ma Kettle washed the clothes and kids in. Terry Mobley tells me that his tub was used to measure a bushel of grain by volume. The traditional wash tub had crimped seam and a flat bottom. Terry says his tub[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Earthquake!
RBC | Robert Haag, in his book about the early years of Rangely, Colorado, references an earthquake in 1882. In Haag’s account, Charles Porter Hill and Joseph Studer had arrived at the White River and had camped for the night just upstream of Douglas Creek. Today it is known as[Read More…]
WHAT IS THIS?
In this week’s installment of mystery tools and equipment, do you know what this is and what it was used for? Full story in an upcoming edition!
HISTORY’S MYSTERIES: Stagecoach picture
Special to the HT MEEKER | The mystery photo shows metal stagecoach cutouts mounted on three parking lot light poles at Smoking River Brewery. Despite years of exposure, the cutouts remain intact — notably without bullet holes. A closer look reveals a marking, “S/S,” etched into the metal. The slash[Read More…]
AM250/CO150: The road to independence, revolution to statehood
As activities and celebrations continue to mark the AM250/CO150 anniversaries, it has become clear that many Americans did not fully carry forward the history lessons of how we arrived at this moment. This week serves as a refresher on where we came from — and where we are. Strikingly, many[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Morgan Horses
When Ron Hilkey owned the Adams Lodge, he would guide his guests to Marvine Lake, where he had row boats available. Ron had to haul in those row boats on pack animals. He devised a system using two Morgan horses, one leading the other. They were connected by a frame[Read More…]
HISTORY HUMOR: Who’s hunting whom?
The Meeker Herald Sept. 17, 1887, told this story: It is not generally known, but it is a fact nevertheless, that Morgan Edgar and Frank Barton roosted in a tree in the Lime Kiln mountains a few days ago. How they came to select such a singular place to pass[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: We could have been ‘Sherman County’?
“WELCOME TO SHERMAN COUNTY, COLORADO.” That is what a sign along Highway 13 from Rifle to Meeker could have read. When the Colorado legislature was considering dividing Garfield County in January of 1889, that was the first name proposed for our county. A committee was formed to oppose the division[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: E.P. Wilber, Founder & Pioneer
Pioneer and Founder, E. P. Wilber was a member of the Meeker Townsite Company. This is an abbreviated version of his obituary published April 23, 1958: Rio Blanco County lost its oldest and one of its most loved and respected Pioneer, when Mr. Edwin P. Wilber passed away last Friday[Read More…]