(Information was gleaned from copies of the Wet Mountain Tribune, all from the last week in July.)

100 Years Ago – 1910

On the down trip Monday a freight car got derailed near Inspiration Point and as a result the passengers had to be taken on down to Texas Creek on the engine. The track was cleared that evening in time for the returning train to reach here at 10:30, about four hours late.

Undersheriff Triplett boarded the train Wednesday for Routt County, on what mission he failed to divulge.

The Eddy-Vahldick store building is being adorned with a large exterior sign this week.

Rev. Carl Lange of the Valley Lutheran church went to Canon City on Saturday last and held divine service in that city on Sunday.

Dr. E.H. Cutts, who is proving up on a claim out on the plains forty miles east of Denver, returned to Westcliffe Wednesday and will practice his profession here for a time again. The Doctor is somewhat reduced in flesh and his color is that of a sun-browned farmer.

Woody Higgins and Chas. Canterbury, with the families, well equipped for camping out, came up from Canon Monday and are enjoying themselves along streams in the mountains.

For sale: One buggy $25; double harness $14; lady’s side saddle $25. Apply to Otto F. Elze at the Mittag Ranch.

50 Years Ago – 1960

It has been announced that there has been a change in ownership of another Westcliffe business. George Byrne has purchased the interest of Fred Luthi in the L.&B. Gas Service. Luthi and Byrne established the business about seven and a half years ago. Luthi will continue to operate the Westcliffe Hotel and its associated bar, liquor store and drive-in restaurant.

Bids will be opened by the Colorado Department of Highways on Friday on a construction project for Colorado State Highway 96 in Custer County, Chief Engineer Mark Watrous said. The project will consist of grading and base course surfacing of 3.3 miles of the highway. The route, which has been laid out by the highway department engineers, will take the road from the end of the pavement east of Silver Cliff to a point on the present Highway 96 north of Querida. The new road will go north of Tyndal mountain thereby relieving motorists of driving over hazardous Querida grade.

Funeral services were held from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Monday for Edward F. Stacy, 62, of Silver Cliff. Father J. William Zulch was in charge of services. Stacy, a hardrock miner, was considered one of the best authorities on mines and mining in Custer County. His wife Margaret survives as does a daughter Mrs. James Hailey of Clovis, N.M.

25 Years Ago – 1985

Residents of the Copper Gulch area are pushing for the formation of a special fire protection district to serve a 144-square mile region that has approximately 300 year-round residents. The Fremont County commissioners will discuss the proposal at their Aug. 6 meeting.

County extension agent Mike Wheeling said a new feature for the upcoming Custer County 4-H Fair will be a steak fry dinner on Saturday, Aug. 3. Cost for the meal will be $1.75 per person.

Chet Haga of La Vista Hills, Inc. has announced that Dale Hoag will be opening Silver West Realty in the La Vista Hills office at 3 Bassick Place. Hoag, who just received his broker’s license, will concentrate on public real estate listings while Haga will continue his various development projects.

Five-year-old Chad Miller has been named Reader of the Week for the summer reading program at Custer County Library. Chad is the son of Mark Miller of Westcliffe and Kathy Secora of Dillon.

10 Years Ago – 2000

A crowd of around 100 attended Monday’s candidate forum sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Corb Griffin served as moderator for the five county commissioner candidates, Jim Austin, Chuck Steigerwalt, Dick Downey, Bill Jack and Larry Handy.

Silver Cliff town board member Don Bishop has filed a formal complaint with the state attorney general and the district attorney, alleging the county Board of Zoning Adjustment has violated Colorado’s open meeting laws. Bishop declined to get into specifics about his complaint.

More than 300 people took part in the annual History and Horses tour of area ranches and historic homes. Some $4,000 was raised for the Friends of the Library and the Fremont-Custer Historical Society.

A formal dedication ceremony will be held this Sunday, July 30, of the new 2,700-square-foot Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Ridgeline Drive on Westcliffe’s south side.

5 Years Ago – 2005

The High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival organizers have presented a check in the amount of $6,000 to the Community Clinic in Westcliffe. That’s twice the amount generated from the 2004 and 2003 bluegrass festivals. Clinic administrator Toloa Pearl said the funds will be used to assist patients unable to pay for services, as well as for other worthwhile projects.

The Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation has announced that it is distributing $10,000 to 12 local organizations under the theme of “Custer Kids ’05 – The Arts, Recreation and Education.” Groups that will share the unsolicited and unrestricted funds are Goal Miners Soccer, the local 4-H Foundation, Custer FFA, Westcliffe Center for the Performing Arts, In Concert, Custer County Library, Wetmore Library, youth baseball leagues, youth football program, Paca Peace Ranch, the youth jazz camp, and the C-1 student council.

1 Year Ago – 2009

Flash floods last Saturday ripped through Pine Gulch and other drainages in northern Custer and southern Fremont counties, damaging roads.

Local Division of Wildlife officer Justin Krall says Lake DeWeese and Lake Isabel have so far been immune from aquatic pests causing problems in other waterways in Colorado. Zebra and Quagga mussels can cause major problems when introduced by boats and equipment brought in from elsewhere.

The Westcliffe town trustees have voted against a proposal to conduct an energy audit of town facilities. The C-1 school district and the county have both agreed to the audits suggested by the governor’s energy office.

Services were held yesterday for life-long Valley rancher Harvey “Bud” Camper who died July 24 at the age of 83. Camper was a member of a prominent early-day Valley family.