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…]
Tag: Meeker History
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…]
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…]
