140 Years Ago
Salida Weekly Mail, Feb. 14, 1885: The Rio Grande company is about to publish three guide books for tourists over its lines. The one entitled the “Crest of the Continent” will probably treat the scenery and resources of the Arkansas valley, and the grandeur of Marshall Pass. Large excursion parties will be brought out, and the valley and surrounding camps will probably never have a better chance to advertise their resources. The shelves of the Mail office are now ready for specimens of all kinds, cereals, fire-clay, coal, iron and everything that will attract tourists to our undeveloped wealth.
100 Years Ago
The Salida Mail, Feb. 17, 1925: The new steel and concrete bridge across the Arkansas river at Browns canon was completed last Thursday. The bridge cost $43,000. It is 165 feet long and 68 feet above the water but level with the two banks of the river.
The bridge is built of steel with a concrete floor and is one of the finest in the state.
The road on the north side of the bridge is graded but not surfaced, while the road on the south side is not graded. Considerable rock will have to be removed on the south side.
The new road between Salida and Centerville will be completed during the summer.
75 Years Ago
Salida Daily Mail, Feb. 17, 1950: Officials of the Rio Grande Railroad Co. announced today the retirement of R.A. Pledger, veteran fireman on the second division.
Born in Dewitt County, Texas, in 1876, Mr. Pledger came to Salida at the age of 20. He enjoyed the carefree life of a cow boy and rancher until 1899 when he entered the mechanical department of the Rio Grande.
In 1900 he was promoted to fireman when R.M. Ridgeway was superintendent, W.E. Jones was master mechanic, and Owen Owen was general foreman, and Edward Owen was back shop foreman. During 1904-5 Mr. Pledger served as engineer on a switch engine in the local yards.
He recalls that ten passenger trains and eight freight trains passed daily through Salida at that time.
50 Years Ago
The Mountain Mail, Feb. 18, 1975: Fairplay – Even though snow is drifting higher and deeper across the gates at the South Park City Museum in Fairplay, the staff is not in hibernation.
In fact, the work force was increased by 100 per cent this month when Geof Hunt began work as curator.
Geof is a graduate of the University of Wyoming with a bachelor of arts degree in American history. He is currently working on a master’s thesis on “The Small Museum and the Interpretation of Wyoming History” and “The History of Casper Mountain, Wyoming.” He and his wife Becky are avid cavers. They have a 3-year-old son, Aaron.
25 Years Ago
The Mountain Mail, Feb. 18, 2000: Leadville – A South Carolina couple miraculously survived a 100-foot drop in snowy conditions on Feb. 10 and crawled out of their Isuzu Trooper unharmed.
William Rentz, 59, was driving south on Colo. 91 in icy road conditions past Climax Mine in a rental car. Laura Rentz, 50, was a passenger in the car.
As he passed the mine, he shifted the car into a lower gear. The car fishtailed, spun 180 degrees, struck the guardrail on the right side of the highway and went off the road, according to Colorado State Trooper Ed Holte. The accident occurred around 2:05 p.m.
Credit: Source link
