Daisy Opdyke was 15 in 1881 — that’s 144 years ago. She grew up in Pagosa Springs, just across from where Subway is now. I bet she never imagined there would one day be a sandwich shop, a stoplight or construction right outside her front door.
If you have a minute, check out one of her stories from long ago:
“A young man came to town and boarded with my mother; he had a little gun he carried around, always looking for something to shoot. One evening he came in and said he saw a cat in the wood pile and would we care if he killed it? I asked what it looked like and he said it was black and white and had a big bushy tail. I said: ‘No we don’t want it. Go and Kill it/’ So he got up rather close and shot, and he sure got the benefit of that shooting. at that same time there was a preacher in town who wanted everybody to come to the shool house that night, and of course this fellow went. He would set down by someone and the person would move. he would look around and see that he was alone; then he would get up and sit down by someone else. They preacher was talking and the people were moving around. I think the preacher wanted to get out too.”
I’m guessing you knew exactly what was coming when you read “black and white cat with a big bushy tail.” Most of us learn to be cautious around those deceptively cute little skunks that call this place home — usually through the unfortunate experience of someone else.
This story, small and silly as it is, has lasted for generations. It’s not about a famous person or a major event. It’s just a simple, relatable moment, and that’s exactly why it matters.
These are the kinds of stories that connect us through time. They remind us that people in the past weren’t so different from us.
And that’s the real heart of historic preservation.
It’s not just about saving old buildings or collecting dusty photos. It’s about holding on to the stories that make a place feel like home. And it’s about making sure the next generation understands that they’re part of this story, too.
So, how do we help kids see history as something they belong to?
Here are a few fun ways to get them curious:
• Take a walk through history. The free Visit Pagosa app has an audio walking tour with 16 stops around downtown. It’s like a time machine in your pocket.
• Ask about family stories. Where did grandparents go to school? What did your neighborhood look like 30 years ago? Sharing memories makes history personal.
• Visit the Pagosa Springs History Museum. Reopening Memorial Day weekend, the museum is full of artifacts and local treasures that show what everyday life used to look like.
• Interview a neighbor. Ask an older resident what downtown was like when they were a kid. You’d be surprised what a chat over lemonade can reveal.
• Snap some photos. Give kids a camera and ask them to capture buildings or places they think are worth saving. Ask them why. You’ll love their answers.
• Write it down. Whether it’s a poem about Reservoir Hill, a sketch of their favorite trail or a short story about growing up here, encourage kids to put their love for Pagosa into words or art.
• And, most importantly, let them know their stories matter.
The smelly ones, the silly ones, the ones about where they got their first bike or who they saw at the Fourth of July parade — they all add up. Because someday, someone will want to know what it was like to grow up here “way back when.”
If your family does any of these activities, the Pagosa Springs Main Street Heritage and Culture Committee would love to hear about it. We’re collecting local stories, photos and kid-led projects that help preserve Pagosa’s unique past. Email Main Street Coordinator Kathleen McFadden at Kat@PagosaSpringsCDC.org or call (970) 264-3023 to share your piece of the story.
