(Information was gleaned from copies of the Wet Mountain Tribune, all from the second week in March.)

100 Years Ago – 1910

A case of diphtheria has been reported in the family of Sam Beechler and the Beechler home has been placed under quarantine. As a precautionary measure against the spread of the disease, the school-house was thoroughly fumigated during last Saturday.

The election held at Wetmore on the 28th, in which the point of issue was the establishment of an irrigation district for the Hardscrabble farmers, was carried unanimously. The matter of making estimates on the cost of the new system will be started at once and as soon as the work is finished, another election will follow to form the district and provide funds for the construction of the reservoirs and ditches.

Dr. E.F. Burnett, the reliable eye sight specialist, who visited these towns in December last, is now permanently located in Salida, and will visit Silver Cliff, at the Powell House, this Saturday evening and all day Sunday, and Westcliffe, at the Westcliffe Hotel, Monday. This is the best opportunity to have your eyes properly cared for.

March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day, in the afternoon, will be celebrated in Silver Cliff with a Grand Ball at Phillips’ Opera House.

A fine coach stallion was shipped here from Denver last week and an effort is being made to dispose of the animal on shares to the farmers of the Valley.

50 Years Ago – 1960

Custer County television viewers are now enjoying a much better picture on all three channels being transmitted into the Wet Mountain Valley. Art Hibbs, who maintains the wave bender east of Silver Cliff, accompanied by Al Walters and Fred Luthi, went to the bender on Monday and made much-needed repairs. The trio made the ascent up Hibbs Hill after Mike Feldman volunteered his labor to plow the route Sunday. Using a county heavy bulldozer, the task required practically all day Sunday to plow through the heavy snow drifts. Hibbs said he has the equipment to further improve channels 11 and 13, and said that channel 4 will also be improved.

Earl Cress, Custer County rancher, was re-elected president of the Spanish Peaks Woolgrowers Assn. at a meeting held in Walsenburg.

Gene Colgate, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Wolff of Tucson, Ariz., former residents of Silver Cliff, is now stationed with the U.S. Army in Korea. In a letter to friends here, Gene stated he liked Korea in about the same degree as all other American soldiers stationed there. He is connected with the military police and his duties consist of eight hours of Jeep patrol with eight hours off.

25 Years Ago – 1985

After weeks of discussion, a regional planning advisory board was formed last Friday. The board is comprised of representatives from Westcliffe, Silver Cliff, the county and the school, water and fire districts, and it is hoped that the board will improve the communications between the various entities. Members of the board are Tod Aldrich, Mel Boone, Vera Stone, John Costello, Yvette Potthoff, Dave Davies, Bud Piquette, Dick Wilson and Roger Camper. The county has yet to appoint its representative.

As much as 14-inches of snow was reported in portions of Custer County as a result of Monday’s fast-moving storm. Wednesday brought a return to more spring-like weather.

The federal government directly spent $3.2 million in Custer County during fiscal 1983, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The federal expenditures amounted to $2,096 for every man, woman and child in the county. Direct payments to individuals in the form of Social Security, retirement and disability payments amounted to $2.8 million

10 Years Ago – 2000

Last week’s seven inches of snow will help with Custer County’s dry conditions, but moisture readings remain well below normal according to the latest snow report. At the South Colony snowcourse, conditions are just 41 percent of the long-term average, at the Westcliffe course it’s a mere 28 percent.

Following a presentation by Father Bill Willson, vicar of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the Custer County Planning Commission approved a special use permit modification for Trinity Ranch in Wetmore. Approval of the permit allows the Episcopal Diocese to operate its youth camp on 100-acres of the ranch, while the Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City purchases the remaining 820-acres for a retreat center, monastery and medical clinic.

Highway 165 between MacKenzie Junction and Fairview will get a $1.7 million facelift this spring. Upgrades along the 12-mile stretch will include new asphalt overlay, replacing bridge railings and shoulder work.

 A crowd of around 100 attended the open house at the Coyote Moon Lodge, formerly the Bassick Center, in Westcliffe. Owner Brent Bruser of Baton Rouge, La. hosted the Mardi Gras-themed event.

5 Years Ago – 2005

Traffic along Highway 96 through Hardscrabble Canyon was blocked following a rock slide Friday morning. The entire roadway was closed briefly until crews could open one lane to traffic. C-DOT employee Eddie Eiland of Silver Cliff said his crews had to use explosives to break the boulders into manageable sizes. He said it will likely take two weeks to complete all repairs.

The Custer County Economic Development Committee has identified the development of an events center in Westcliffe as one of its key priorities.

After much discussion, the Westcliffe town board has approved of the proposal to build a multi-use playing field just south of the current town park. Members of the Goal Miners soccer club board of directors told the trustees of their plans to seek grants for the project.

1 Year Ago – 2009

Governor Bill Ritter is planning a trip to Custer County this Saturday to discuss the federal stimulus package and other topics. Ritter’s town hall meeting will be held at the Cliff Lanes community room.

The county commissioners have imposed a fire ban in the unincorporated portions of the county, and the two towns have followed suit. County and town officials say the ban is necessary due to dry conditions and heavy winds in recent weeks.

Brad Johnson has taken the reigns at A Painted View horse ranch and he already has some exciting events planned at the paint and quarter horse facility, including clinics, lessons, and a National Cutting Horse Assn. event in early June.