Author Archives: JvL Bell

1883 – How the Cache la Poudre River got its Name

How the Cache la Poudre got its name Continue reading

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1861 – Odd Fellows Initiation, Riding the Goat

The Society of Odd Fellows opened its Peak Lodge in Denver on December 24, 1860. Many good men have joined the association, although non-members have long speculated about the secret initiation ceremony. Rumors of secret signs, salutations, and passwords have … Continue reading

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1876 – Colorado’s Long Road to Statehood

TODAY, AUGUST 1, 1876, PRESIDENT ULYSSES GRANT SIGNED THE BILL THAT MADE COLORADO THE 38TH STATE IN THE UNION, GIVING COLORADO THE HONOR OF BEING THE ONLY CENTENNIAL STATE. THE ROAD TO STATEHOOD HAS BEEN A LONG, STRANGE BATTLE. THIS IS A BRIEF HISTORY OF COLORADO’S ROAD TO STATEHOOD, BECAUSE, AS DESCRIBED IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS ARTICLE PUBLISHED ON MARCH 16, 1875, “TO DO MORE WOULD FILL A BOOK.” Continue reading

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1869 – Captain Samuel Adams’ Expedition Fails

THE ADAMS’ EXPEDITION, TRYING TO DISCOVER A WATER ROUTE FROM THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS TO THE PACIFIC, HAS COME TO A RAPID END. NO LIVES WERE LOST, BUT AFTER A MONTH AND A HALF OF TRAVELING DOWN THE BLUE AND GRAND … Continue reading

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1860 – Professor O. J. Goldrick opens Denver Union School

TODAY, PROFESSOR O.J. GOLDRICK OPENED THE DENVER UNION SCHOOL, OFFERING TO EDUCATE ALL OF DENVER’S CHILDREN. HE, AND FELLOW TEACHER MISS MILLER, ARE BOTH ACCOMPLISHED AND WELL QUALIFIED TEACHERS AND SHOULD MEET WITH LIBERAL ENCOURAGEMENT IN THEIR UNDERTAKING. SEND YOUR … Continue reading

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1863 – Miss Annie’s Advice on Unmentionables

As the adnominal glories of the Colorado Territory fade into the short days of silvery winter, ladies will now focus their needles on their whitework. The scant light is best used for repairing your light-colored underpinnings. The muslin chemise with the lace insert in need of repair, the replacement of damaged drawer’s ties, and the restitching of the corset bone flossing. Continue reading

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1910 – Colorado Capital’s Hall of Fame

The governor and other state officers moved into the new capitol building on November 9, 1894. Designed by Elijah E. Myers and reminiscent of the Untied States Capitol, the building contains Colorado’s Hall of Fame, or Circle of Fame as … Continue reading

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1893 – Colorado Passes Suffrage Legislation

Colorado has made history as the first state to pass Women’s Suffrage legislation by state referendum. Of course, Wyoming, in 1869, was the first Territory to give women the right to vote. It was quickly followed by the Utah Territory … Continue reading

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1873 – The Legend of the Mount of the Holy Cross

Geographical surveyor, F.V. Hayden and photographer W.H. Jackson have summited the mysterious Mount of the Holy Cross and returned with an interesting story. The following is a reproduction of The Legend of the Mount of the Holy Cross, as told … Continue reading

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1865 – Augusta Tabor’s Wash Day

Mrs. Elizabeth Entriken, a 59er and the sister of our beloved snowshoe minister, Reverend John Dyer, shared this interesting story about Augusta Tabor’s labors to wash teamsters shirts to earn a bit of her own gold dust. Read in PDF … Continue reading

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