Everyone knows about our historic Meeker Hotel, once visited by politicians and bank robbers. It was a resting place for weary travelers who would emerge from dusty stagecoaches run by the Harp family. What we now see is the product of decades of tearing down, remodeling, additions and hard work. [Read More…]
Tag: Meeker History
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 44
Special to the Herald White River Agency, Colorado. May 26, 1879. Sir: There are about 4,000 pounds of goods directed to this agency which have been lying at Rawlins a long time, not oats and flour, many of which would be of great use; and now, as I understand, the[Read More…]
History Lessons – The Meeker Cemetery, Pt. 1
I wanted to title this series as “All You Ever Wanted to Know About Cemeteries” by Digger O’Dell. Digger O’Dell was a character in the 1945 radio program and later TV series, “The Life of Riley.” He was known as the Friendly Undertaker who quipped morbid puns. His exit line was[Read More…]
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 42
White River Agency, Colorado. May 19, 1879. Sir: I find it necessary to ask you to consolidate the two funds of $2,000 and $1,000 granted respectively July 6, 1878 (F. Colo., M., 1080; J., 1133, ’78), and August 8 (Colo. M., 1219; J., 1370, ’78), inasmuch as I see, on[Read More…]
DAYS GONE BY – April 11th, 2024
Meeker Herald ~ 125 years ago After spending the winter at San Diego, California, and vicinity, Sam Martin is home again much improved in health. Glenwood is already in the field for an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration. Game Warden Goodell caused the arrest of Oscar Collins at Basalt a[Read More…]
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 42
White River Agency, Colorado. May 19, 1879. Sir: I have just received two Moline plows, expressly ordered for breaking sod, but they are too light for our ground and will not stand. They are excellent, however, and we need them, as the two plows I got last year were well[Read More…]
History Lessons – Mt. Streeter, Pt. 4
I have driven Highway 13 many times and have passed Mount Streeter without knowing it is there. Today, without its buildings and mine structures, it is totally unremarkable. It is fenced off and marked with formidable private property signs for a good reason, so please don’t trespass. As I drove[Read More…]
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 41
White River Agency, Colorado May 12, 1879. Sir: I send herewith estimate of funds required for this second quarter, 1879. A good deal of heavy work must be done this quarter, caused by the necessity for running the saw-logs cut last winter, and as I intend[Read More…]
MUSEUM MUSINGS – Letters from history, No. 40
White River Agency, Colorado May 5, 1879 Sir: In regard to Indian apprentices, I note in your circular “accounts No. 22., July 9, 1878”, paragraph 6, that each white mechanic is to have charge of two Indian apprentices. Now, hitherto this has been impracticable, but the prospect is that during[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS – Mt. Streeter, Pt. 3; The blind leading the blind?
If you want to see what Mount Streeter looked like, the White River Museum has a wonderful panoramic photo in its gift shop. To continue the Streeter history… In 1924, Doctor Lee H. Pattison, a blind chiropractor of South Bend, Indiana, headed up a group of Axial Basin Development Co.[Read More…]
Days Gone By – March 21st, 2024
Meeker Herald ~ 125 years ago Spring can’t be far off. The robin has arrived. Miss Clara Steele, who has been out to Denver for some time, was visiting Meeker friends for a few days in the early part of the week. She left for her home at Buford Tuesday. [Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS – Mt. Streeter… the town that almost happened
In the April 9, 1920 edition of the Moffat County Bell, Streeter announced construction would soon start on the 30-mile stretch of rail from Craig to Mt. Streeter. There was some grading done by Ed O’Neill, contractor, but it didn’t last long. Money was running out. The bubble burst for[Read More…]