Those were the days
Photo courtesy of Eagle County Historical Society and Eagle Valley Library District |
5 years ago
Week of Sept. 4, 2008
A long-delayed racial discrimination case against the town of Eagle was finally headed for its day in court. The Colorado Supreme Court was slated to hear arguments in the case of Steve and Mary Rodriguez, owners of the closed El Tejano nightclub. The siblings alleged that the town’s revocation of their liquor license was racially motivated.
Eagle County closed the truck parking area located along Fairgrounds Road in Eagle and directed drivers to a new parking area at Dotsero.
Eagle officials approved a proposal to solicit bids for curb-side recycling services in town.
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Renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones visited his latest project — Brightwater Club in Gypsum. Jones offered a select group of visitors a personal tour of the 18-hole course’s back nine.
As a pre-season workout, members of the Eagle Valley High School cross country team climbed Mount Elbert. The team was coached by Melinda Brandt and Jeff Shroll.
10 years ago
Week of Sept. 4, 2003
Cicero DaSilva, owner of an Eagle tire shop, was recognized for his help in thwarting a kidnapping. DaSilva was replacing a tire for a man traveling with a woman and a 12-year-old boy. He noticed the woman appeared frightened and after she heard him speaking in Spanish, she told DaSilva “Help me. I’m being kidnapped.” DaSilva called 911 and law officers were able to catch up with the vehicle in Richmond, Utah.
The town of Eagle developed a special media packet for the hordes of reporters swarming around town to cover the Kobe Bryant case. The packet included information about local businesses, restaurants and services.
Several downvalley locals won end-of-season recognition titles from the Beaver Creek Rodeo Series. Jesse Echtler was part of the top team roping duo. Luke Gray was the top bull rider and Brian Bossow was the top rough stock rider.
Casey Strickler sang the National Anthem at a Colorado Rockies game.
20 years ago
Week of Sept. 2, 1993
Vail Associates announced plans to purchase the Arrowhead at Vail ski resort.
Eagle County was considering withdrawal from the Berry Creek Recreation Authority — a coalition of local governments that jointly owned the Berry Creek Fifth property at Edwards.
The Eagle County Commissioners celebrated a ground-breaking at the Lake Creek Village affordable housing project.
Local 4-H’ers Aaron Gregg and Nick Calhoun took their reptile projects to the Colorado State Fair.
30 years ago
Week of Sept. 8, 1983
Facing revenue shortfalls, the town of Eagle considered raising the price of an in-town water tap from $1,500 to $2,000.
A fire caused when their water heater exploded destroyed a mobile home west of Eagle owned by Linda and Gary Feucht. No one was hurt in the incident.
Veteran newspaperman Roy Robinson took over as the new publisher of the Eagle Valley Enterprise.
In a feature story by Enterprise reporter Dorothy Lorig, rancher Wilbur Luark reminisced about the heyday of the Burns rodeo grounds. Called the “Grandaddy of Western Slope Rodeos,” the event was billed as western Colorado’s fastest rodeo with the fattest purse.
Ed Oyler was the manager of the newly opened Eagle Standard gas station, located on the Interstate 70 access road in Eagle.
Bob Ross’s 196-yard rushing statistic propelled the EVHS football team to a 20-6 opening win over Battle Mountain.
40 years ago
Week of Sept. 5, 1973
The Eagle Town Board was considering adoption of a peddler’s license ordinance after local businessmen complained about unlicensed sellers around town.
EVHS football coach Ralph Starr and assistant coach John Bowman were looking for a strong season, with the return of key players Dave Schiessl and Benny Rivera. Because the Devils’ field was under construction, home games were being played in Glenwood Springs.
A steer exhibited by local 4-H’er Dean Gates won Reserve Grand Champion honors at the Colorado State Fair.
A thief stole 200 bottles from Bob Shelton’s antique bottle collection.
Harrison’s Bar and Restaurant was featuring music by “Mountain Meadows.”
50 years ago
Week of Sept. 5, 1963
Henry Donner and George Morrison of Radium found a geologic formation known as “volcanic bomb.” The formation was estimated to be nearly a million years old. The rock was on display at Rancho Del Rio.
Local businessmen were meeting to discuss the possibility of a new industrial bank and a particle board plant in Eagle.
An 8-month-old Dalmatian puppy named Speckles that belonged to the George Chandler family fell into a mine shaft while the family was hiking near Copper Spur. Rescuers wired ladders together so George could climb down into the 61-foot deep shaft to collect the dog.
Mallory Nottingham gave a report to the Eagle County Commissioners about the 4-H citizenship course he attended in Washington D.C.
Dr. and Mrs. Larry Rauch were headed back to Ann Arbor, Mich. after spending the summer at their cabin along Brush Creek.
Among the local students headed off to college were Glenyce Hirz, Mike Simonds, Steve Tomsic, Carol DeGraw, Susan Koonce, Tommy Luby, Dave Knupp and Mallory Nottingham.
60 years ago
Week of Sept. 3, 1953
The Eagle County Cattlemen’s Association endorsed Gov. Dan Thornton’s plans for stabilization of farm produce prices. Cattlemen board members included Orris Albertson, Jim Stephens, Harve Skiff, L.E. Nolan, Virgil Williams, Dan Rule, Pete Dodo and Leonard Horn.
John Buchholz and Jerry Whittaker won lambs in the 4-H Catch-It Contest at the county fair.
The Battle Mountain Miner’s Union 581 called for a strike at the Gilman Mine after weeks of wage negotiations with New Jersey Zinc failed. The miners were seeking a wage increase from 8.5 cents per hour to 13 cents per hour.
Lettermen returning to the Eagle High School football squad included Ike Cowden, Bob Stanley, Dick Allen, Don Figgins, John Buchholz, Melvin Harrison, George Smith, Jim Ross and George Christiansen.
Dial phones were being installed in Gypsum for the first time by the Eagle Valley Telephone Company. Margret McDonnell and Shirley Chambers were the switchboard operators in Eagle.
70 years ago
Week of Sept. 3, 1943
Tom Doran of the Eagle Pharmacy was named as a civilian recruiter for the Navy.
Fanny Gamble ended a 15-year career with the Eagle River Electric Company to start a new job with the First Bank of Eagle County. Meanwhile, bank president J.D. Allen announced the operation planned to open a facility at Camp Hale.
Sgt. Donald Webb was spending a 16-day furlough with his mother, Dolly, in Eagle. Jack Oleson of Eagle was in Miami Beach, Fla. for cadet training.
80 years ago
Week of Sept. 8, 1933
Eagle’s public school opened the year with a total enrollment of 124 students.
Local boxing promoter Hank Elliott was in town lining up fighters for a 10-round smoker at the Minturn Athletic Club.
John Cowden lost a leg in a logging accident that happened along Sweetwater Road. Cowden had been helping haul a 50-foot log load planned for bridge pilings on the Dotsero cutoff.
The Eagle Town Board approved a 25-year franchise agreement for the Eagle River Electric Company.