100 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
March 26, 1926
The drill at the Hatcher hot water well is daily pounding away and making great headway, having exceeded the 100-foot depth mark at this writing. An artesian flow of warm water was encountered at the 20-foot depth and has been flowing ever since.
C.B. Tacket returned last Friday evening from Sundance, Wyo., where he had been visiting two of his sons, Clyde and Fritz. He also visited a few days in Denver with a brother and sister who he had not seen for 35 years. He learned of their whereabouts by means of the radio.
There will be no town election in Pagosa Springs next month, as no tickets were filled within the allotted time.
Mrs. Mary Conner on Monday purchased the John Brakefield bunch of cattle.
The Chinese Operetta, “The Feast of the Little Lanterns,” was given with great success at the School Auditorium last Thursday and Friday nights. The lighting effects and costuming caused many favorable comments.
75 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
A group of citizens and taxpayers gathered at the High School on Monday night of this week to hear reports from committees concerning the need and possible means of a new school building. Several of the different committees were heard as well as the reports of finance and location committees.
It seemed to be pretty well decided that the need for additional classroom space in town and a new building at Pagosa Junction was urgent and should be taken care of as soon as possible. It was also felt that some remodeling was necessary on the present building as well as work on the present heating system.
The committee who investigated in the Chromo-Edith areas felt that the economical solution for that area would be to transport the students to Pagosa Springs and save the cost of remodeling or rebuilding those two buildings. If this is done it will also be necessary to purchase another school bus.
Various types, sizes and plans of buildings were discussed as were possible costs. No accurate figures of cost were available and another meeting will be held to discuss this phase at a later date. The question of financing was also discussed.
50 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
March 25, 1976
Word was received from Congressman Frank Evans Wednesday that a federal grant in the amount of $42,700 had been approved for the local district. This grant will be matched by district funds in further improvement of the school recreation complex south of town.
Big game animals are down along the highway in large numbers these days and appear to have wintered well. They constitute a traffic hazard in two ways. At times they are on the highways and at other times motorists pull to a sudden stop to observe the animals without getting out of the lane of traffic. This does create a definite traffic hazard and motorists are asked to pull out of the lane of travel before stopping.
Due to a change in state laws all special improvement districts, sanitation districts, fire districts, etc., will be required to hold an election the first week in May. At that time a complete board of directors must be elected by each district.
25 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
March 29, 2001
The U.S. Census Bureau says percentage wise Archuleta County is the fifth fastest growing county in the state.
But the total population figure for the county is somewhat lower than most had expected the 2000 Census to show. Many anticipated in excess of 10,000 and some saw a distinct possibility of reaching the 12,000 mark.
The county figure represents an 85.2 percent increase from the 1990 total of 5,345 and a whopping 170.1 climb since the 1980 census figure of 3,664.
In what the Denver Post referred to as the “retirement mecca of Pagosa Springs,” (the only incorporated community in the county), the 2000 Census pegged the population at 1,591, up 31.8 percent from the 1,207 in 1990. The latter figure reflected a 9.3 percent decline from the 1,331 counted in the town in 1980. That means the 20-year gain was only 19.5 percent. It is interesting to note that, in comparison, the county’s school population during the same 10-year period went up from 1,117 to 1,661, an increase of 544, or a little over 48 percent.
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