Taken from SUN files of
January 4, 1924
As librarian of the Pagosa Public Library I will give you a short outline of how our library was started and by whom it is kept up. The Women’s Civic Improvement Club conceived the idea of giving a dinner and charging one book for each serving and in this way obtained about 250 books to start Pagosa’s library. Mr. Ed. Colton donated the use of a quaint little log house (one of the oldest in Pagosa) for the library. Shelves were built and curtains put up, a nice rug on the floor, a desk and comfortable seats and the library was formally opened on November 22, 1922. Since then books have been bought and donated until I am proud to say that on our first anniversary it had grown from about 400 volumes to over 2000.
To date there are 360 cards in use and about 100 books are let out each library day. When you take into consideration that there are only 1,300 people in Pagosa and near vicinity, that is quite a record. At least we feel quite proud of all that has been accomplished and we are planning great things in the future.
Rhoda Parcell, Librarian.
Taken from SUN files of
January 7, 1949
Lumbering was the original reason for the branch of the narrow gauge railroad and is still one of the main industries of the county. The railway has been abandoned since 1936 but the lumber industry continues to grow.
The town of Pagosa Springs, which is laid out on the site of the original Fort Lewis, is at a healthful, invigorating 7,099 altitude and is a mecca for summer vacationists. It was one of the few tourist spots in the state that showed a substantial increase in its tourist business in the past season. Not only does it enjoy a big tourist trade during the summer, but the proximity of the Wolf Creek ski tow also brings hordes of winter enthusiasts from all of the San Juan basin to enjoy the excellent skiing facilities.
Perhaps nowhere in the county is there more opportunity for new businesses in a locality where they may be sure of growing along with the rest of the community.
Taken from SUN files of
January 3, 1974
A big winter storm moved into this area late Monday night and it has been snowing steadily since that time. Early Wednesday morning approximately 16 inches of new snow had fallen during the storm.
County road crews, state highway crews and town workers were keeping main travel routes open. The state highways are snow packed, but in good condition. Snowplow crews have been working 24 hours per day and do have most roads in very good shape.
However, the storm is continuing and more snow seems to be in prospect. Precipitation the past seven days totaled .85 inches of moisture in 22 inches of snowfall. More snow fell Tuesday night and by late Wednesday the total snowfall was estimated at 30 inches for this week.
Some below zero nights — three of them — made this a real winter-type week. Minimum temperature for the week was 12 below zero early Monday morning. It was eight below the mornings of December 26 and 27. Maximum temperature for the week was 36 degrees. The mercury was above freezing on two of the seven days.
Taken from SUN files of
January 7, 1999
After approving a $10,000 donation to a local group working to design and construct a new community center in Pagosa Springs, the town trustees set guidelines Tuesday for a process to consider extension of a local cable television franchise.
Asking the trustees to consider the donation, Mayor Ross Aragon said the community center project was undertaken by residents “of the entire community.” He then updated the board on fund raising efforts by the Pagosa Springs Community Facilities Coalition as that group attempts to procure local monies prior to efforts to secure foundation and grant funds.
“Five months ago,” said Aragon, “the coalition didn’t have the price of a postage stamp. Today the group, with pledges, has $30,000.”
In 1997, the town spent $305,832 to purchase the 2.5 acre Hot Springs Boulevard site for the facility and purchased an option on the 1.9-acre Pagosa Veterinary Clinic property.
In 1998, Pagosa Springs spent approximately $83,000 in support of the community center project, using the money as matching funds in a grant-supported acquisition of wetlands between the proposed building site and the San Juan River, deed restricting the land to prohibit development in the park-like setting.
