Y: Yesterdays

Today’s Friday Five features excerpts from some of my favorite resource books for Fort Collins history. All of the books are available through the Poudre River Library District.

Fort Collins Yesterdays, by Evadene Burris Swanson: “In 1903 a Harvest Festival was prepared at Douglas Grove, a tract of boxelder and cottonwoods… Oxen, sheep, and hogs were roasted by experts. Business houses closed. There was room for a thousand wagons… Excitement in the crowds and pride in the town were all part of the affair.” Yes, but did they have L’il Sebastian?




The Avery House Collection, compiled by the Fort Collins Junior Woman’s Club: “For Cleaning Glass Bottles: Crush egg-shells into small bits, or a few carpet tacks, or a small quantity of gunshot, put into the bottle; then fill one-half full of strong soap-suds; shake thoroughly; then rinse in clear water. Will look like new.”

Talking About Fort Collins, Oral Histories and Photographs from the Local History Department of the Fort Collins Library: “That 1904 flood took all the bridges out of the Poudre River except one down by Hottel’s Mill. It was the worst flood we ever had. I remember, as a little kid, I saw a chicken house going down the river with chickens on top. –Dewey Koeper.”

101 Memorable Men of Northern Colorado, by Arlene Alhbrandt: “The first Larimer County man killed in action in WWII was Allen ‘Bert’ Christman, for whom Christman Field now owned by CSU was named. Bert…was an artist cartoonist who was known for his drawing of the syndicated comic strip Scorchie Smith.”

Fort Collins: A Pictorial History, by Barbara Fleming: “’Ladies’ furnishings,’ novelties, and combs were among the items to be found at the Nimble Nickel, a shop run by Mrs. M.C. Coleman. Following Elizabeth Stone’s lead, several enterprising women like Mrs. Coleman tried their hands at business ventures. Luella Rhodes and Grace Patton had newspapers, and Alice Tedmon had a millinery shop.”

(Historical pictures from Fort Collins History Connection.)





Wilma Turk in her wedding dress, circa 1890







Mystery Photo:
Last week's photo was of Spotlight Music, at the corner of College and Harmony.
















Where in Fort Collins was this week's picture taken?