Western History & Genealogy Blog

Hidden Gems

Songs to Convert Rocky Flats

Songs to Convert Rocky Flats
Songs to Convert Rocky Flats
Songs to Convert Rocky Flats

This quirky little songbook was published in 1979 by the Rocky Flats Action Group and contains gems such as “It’s the Nukes that Must Go and Not Me,” “It Could Be a Wonderful World,” “Nuclear Power Blues,” and, my personal favorite, “There’s a Bomb Plant on the Hillside” (sung to the tune of “Little Boxes”).

The songs were intended to be sung at rallies, meetings, marches, and demonstrations in order to "make us feel stronger, part of the bigger movement of people eve

Snow Baths and Elephant Hunts...

From Denver Municipal Facts: Voume 10 Numbers 5 and 6, 1927 May-June
From Denver Municipal Facts: Voume 13 Numbers 7 and 8, 1930 July-August
From Denver Municipal Facts: Voume 13 Numbers 7 and 8, 1930 July-August

Did you ever try to take a snow bath on a hot summer day?

It’s 9:00 in the morning and as I sit in the air-conditioned photo lab of the Western History Department, I’m thinking that it’s about time to put my sweater on.  Yes, you he

Did you go to Gove in 1924?

Did you go to Gove in 1924?
Did you go to Gove in 1924?

These folks did.

Sure we have lots of old photos, but ...

This one has names of each individual on the back.

Don't you wish your grandparent went to Gove?

 

Great Coffee, Historical Photographs to Benefit DPL

Great Coffee, Historical Photographs to Benefit DPL

Grand Hyatt announces Grand Re-Opening of expanded Starbucks Coffee--

February 16th will find the newly renovated Starbucks at Grand Hyatt Denver showcasing images from DPL's Historic Photo Collections! Proceeds from the day will be donated to DPL!

 

Tis the Season...

From "Park Hill Topic" newsletter October 13, 1933.
From "Park Hill Topic" newsletter October 13, 1933.
A football player poses in uniform near a house in Denver, Colorado. circa 1900
During a football game on Main Street Breckenridge circa 1900
circa 1903
circa 1910
Football squad Durango High School, Durango, Colo. circa 1930
Little American Football League in a gym in Denver, Colorado.  circa 1950

Want to know what a real circus is? Just go to a football game.

With the holidays in full swing I’ve realized that we as a country have developed unique traditions during this time of year.  Sure our holidays are still centered around family, friends

Best of the Box: Theodora Mussey Scrapbook

Theodora Mussey scrapbook cover
Pike's Peak cog wheel route flier
Santa Fe Route flier
Garden of the Gods postcard
"Let us begin at the top of the page" illustration
New Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs poster
First Baptist Church program

For this week's long overdue Best of the Box, I discovered a lovely scrapbook by Theodora Mussey, a piano teacher at the University of Denver. Compiled between 1900 and 1902, the Mussey scrapbook contains a number of clippings including programs from Denver music recitals and concerts, church bulletins, invitations and travel memorabilia.

You can check have a look at the Denver Public Library's catalog record for this item here

The Legend of Nettie Moore

The Legend of Nettie Moore
The Legend of Nettie Moore

 Sometimes finding a treasure is really more a matter of stumbling than strategic planning!

 

Baby Doe Tabor and The Matchless Mine

Page of Abstract Showing H.A.W Tabor's involvement in the purchase of the Matchless Mine.
Matchless Mine Abstract showing Baby Doe Tabor's involvement in the sale of the mine

"Hold on to the Matchless"

In 1935, 'Baby Doe' Tabor (a.k.a Elizabeth McCourt Tabor) died penniless and alone, frozen in a small one room cabin near Leadville, Colorado.

Early Steamboat Springs Visitors

Sheridan Hotel - Steamboat Springs Chamber Website Photograph
Early Steamboat Springs Visitors
Early Steamboat Springs Visitors
Early Steamboat Springs Visitors

The guest register for the first hotel in Steamboat Springs, Colorado contains the names of visitors from all over the United States.

The Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association image portrays the first hotel in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the Sheridan Hotel, located on Lincoln Avenue.

Let Us Entertain You

Exterior view of the Palace Theatre on 15th & Blake Streets in Denver circa 1885
"Hotel Metropole" and "Restaurant" written over front entrances.
Interior view of the Broadway Theatre circa 1900
View of 18th (Eighteenth) and California Streets in Denver, Colorado
Interior view of the Denham Theatre crica 1915
Signs read: "The Old Timers Hang Out," and "Eva Lang and the Denham Players."
"Harry Huffman's Tabor Now Musical Comedy," "F & C Shoes,"...
Interior view of the Tabor Theatre circa 1925

Another interesting aspect to the “amusements” in Denver were...

In a recent trip my hometown in the Sierra Nevada’s I realized that I have become way to reliant on technology for entertainment.  I have to admit, that I was very lost without a wireles