The Rio Blanco County Historical Society is in the process of installing signs to signify Meeker’s historic houses. Stop by the White River Museum to find out more.
Tag: Meeker History
HISTORY LESSONS: The Miller Hill Cemetery Part 3
The Meeker Herald in the July 27, 1895, issue reported the U.S. 8th Calvary was headed to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to persuade members of the Bannock tribe to return to their reservation. A large number of Indians were roaming the area hunting game. They were granted these hunting rights by[Read More…]
MUSEUM MUSINGS: Letters from history, No. 54
Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Affairs, June 26, 1879 Sir: At a recent awarding of contracts for supplies for the Indian service, no proposals to furnish your agency with 20,000 pounds of oats and 1,500 pounds of salt were received, and now N.W. Wells has made a proposition[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: The Miller Hill Cemetery Part 3
I am continuing the series on people involved with the Miller Hill Cemetery, whether you want to read it or not! The names will appear in their order of death, if known. I am interweaving newspaper headlines as a backdrop to what was happening here in Northwest Colorado and the[Read More…]
MUSEUM MUSINGS: Letters from history, No. 53
White River Agency, Colorado. June 23, 1879 Sir: Yours of 11th instant (F. Colo. M. 1159, ’79) shows the deficiency in my request of 26th ultimo as regards mules, harness, wagon and saddle, and I respond as follows: I respectfully ask for your authority to purchase and pay for: One[Read More…]
Raising the bar — literally
Hundreds of hours of labor later, the original Meeker Hotel bar (left) has been redeemed from storage in a barn and restored. It’s now on display at the White River Museum, with some additional TLC and detail work to come. WHITE RIVER MUSEUM PHOTO/Niki Turner Photo MEEKER | The Meeker Hotel[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: The Miller Hill Cemetery Part 2
When the oil companies began buying up land in the Piceance area, Miller Hill Cemetery was deeded along with the rest of the ranches. Through the efforts of the Rio Blanco Historical Society, RBC commissioners, Lila Cox, and Phyllis Lake, Exxon-Mobile deeded the cemetery and access to the Meeker Cemetery[Read More…]
MUSEUM MUSINGS: Letters from history, No. 52
White River Agency, Colorado. June 17, 1879 Sir: Hitherto the appropriation for pay of herder and Indian assistants has been remitted and kept under the head of “fulfilling treaty”, &c. (etc.); and under sub-head of “subsistence, pay of herders”. Not I note in your statement, May 22, 1879, that you[Read More…]
MUSEUM MUSINGS: Letters from history, No. 51
White River Agency, Colorado. June 16, 1879 Sir: I ask your authority to pay for: one pair boy’s shoes, school-boy, $3.50; one dozen awls, 40 cents; 100 fish-hooks, 50 cents – total, $4.40 to charge to beneficial objects. Respectfully, N. C. MEEKER, Indian Agent HON. E.A. HAYT, Commissioner of Indian[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: The Miller Hill Cemetery
Miller Hill Cemetery is located on County Rd 5 (Piceance) just about 1 mile north of the Rock School. I would recommend it as part of of a leisurely half-day trip. The White River Museum has an informational brochure giving you points of interest along the way. If you are[Read More…]
History Lessons – Founder stories: Susan C. Wright
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…]
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…]
