Duchess & Oakie's NW Corner

Bayfield, Colorado -

We have been busy transcribing, scanning the 1937 Ranger Annual of Northwestern State Teachers' College (NSTC), Alva, NW Oklahoma. Also... We want to share some of the history of the Pine River Valley, in Southwest Colorado. BUT... before we get to Bayfield & Pine River Valley, let us mention a little something about Alva's NSTC 1937 Annual.

Reading through this 1937 yearbook we learn that it was published under the direction of the Student Council in the Commerce Department by the students of the Commerce Department. The dream of a student council for Northwestern began in the spring of 1936 with the student classes of NSTC electing two members (a boy and a girl) to help draw up the constitution for the Student Council. It was with the help of the elected representatives: Nellie Burchfiel, Justin Bradshaw, Jamie Carol White, Dean Simon, Juanita MCClaflin, Ralph Clifford, Hallie Morgan and John B. Doolin -- the teachers: Dr. Morris, Dr. Wadley, Mr. Bush, Mr. Cameron and Miss Holland.

We also learned that after the fire and destruction of the Castle on the Hill, March, 1935 a total of $545,000 was obtained for the erection of Horace Mann Hall and Jesse Dunn Hall (named in honor of one of northwestern Oklahoma's earlier settlers) which was dedicated in a celebration during 1937 in front of the new Jesse Dunn Hall. The distinguished guest on that day was Mrs. Eleanor Delano Roosevelt (the first lady of the land). Jesse Dunn Hall now stands where the Old Castle on the Hill once proudly stood.

We finally finished transcribing the 1937-38 Student Directory for NSTC. You can view the RTF file at OkieLegacy.net - Student Directory 1937-38. We have over half of the the 1937 Ranger Annual scanned [see NW OkieLegacy Webshots]. Bookmark this link - OkieLegacy.net - NSTCRanger1937 - for future updates. After we finish the 1937 Ranger Annual, we will be working on the 1938 Ranger Annual. We hope this 1937-38 NSTC Student Directory helps some of you searching names, wheerabouts of your ancestors in 1937-38.

Now... Sheep Trailing in the Pine River Valley, SW Colorado... This is just one of many scenes that we saw in last Saturday's parade in downtown Bayfield, Colorado. Did you know that the Pine River Valley was known to some as the first valley of any consequence west of the Continental Divide. The Continental Divide was later renamed Wolf Creek Pass.

Another fact about this unique valley is that the average elevation is 6500 feet. In the 1890s many lumber mills sprang up because most of the forests had not been touched and with the coming of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, lumber was shipped to distant markets.

When the settlers moved into the Pine River Valley and Bayfield, they settled in the valley proper and also along small tributaries such as Wallace Gulch, North and South Texas Creek, Beaver Creek, Dry Creek, and Bear Creek saving the best logs for their cabins. Most of the days are sunny and dry, but heavy snows come in the winter. Spring can happen as early as February, although the valley has been known to get its heaviest snowfalls in March and April. In the spring the land is usually ready for cultivation, and alfalfa hay remains the major crop.

You can view the irrigation ditches that flow from Vallecito Lake through this valley as in this photograph that I took south of Bayfield on the a rural county road to our place here. You are viewing the mountains towards the northwest (I believe beyond Durango and towards Silverton). Lots of horses can be seen grazing in this little valley. It makes me homesick for my horses back in NW Oklahoma.

As to Vallecito Dam... The Newlands Reclamation Act of 1904 was advocated by an explorer, John Wesley Powell, and signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt. It created the Bureau of Reclamation to build dams to harness rivers and conserve western water. The act promoted conservation for the benefit of settlers and small farmers.

After the tremendous flood of 1927, the government stepped in and built the Pine River Dam which was later changed to Vallecito Dam, which impounds the Pine River and created the magnificent Vallecito Lake, which lies east to west between the high ridges of the San Juan Mountains. In 1957 the rains filled the lake -- the flood gates opened -- the Bureau of Reclamation staff went to close the gates -- the gates were filled with debris and could not be shut. That year the valley flooded again.

Sheep Trailing in Bayfield

Bayfield, Colorado - when this NW Okie position herself (without Duchess) amongst the crowds lining the main street of Bayfield, Colorado. They began the parade with wagons, old tractors, a band, etc... Following shortly with the local sheep herders following along the side and behind over 2000 sheep brought down County Road 501; across highway 160 and down highway 160B; making a right turn onto the main street of Bayfield where spectators lined both sides of the street to catch a brief glimpse of thousands of these woolly creatures as they made their way through the downtown streets of Bayfield to their winter home south of Bayfield.

Chad Haspels, Sculptor, Expressionism in Wood

Bayfield, Colorado - Besides Sheep & Parades, there were food, craft booths set up in the park where we gathered to eat, watch sheep shearing and see the wool and wood crafts of the area.

Everyone knows that I have this thing for Eagles. So... when I was strolling through the park in Bayfield after the Sheep Trailing experience, I spotted this great SW Colorado expressionism in wood sculpture of an eagle (on the left). I couldn't resist adding it to my collection, because this particular piece was carved out of wood taken from the Missionary Ridge fire of 2002. The Scupltor is Chad Haspels [email: cjhaspels@yahoo.com, (970 264-2009)]. Haspels studio is located on the San Juan River near Pagosa Springs, Colorado. This other great expressionism in wood sculpture on the right now sets on the end table in our living room.

SW Colorado Sun setting over San Juan Mtns

Bayfield, Colorado -

I thought Oklahoma had beautiful sunsets, but SW Colorado's sunsets are just some of the magnificant scenes we have been experiencing out west in the Colorado Rockies.

That brings us to the time in the evening as the sun has set over the San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado that we send you off with greetings of a cool, fall October weekend. We hear that Oklahoma has been getting soaked with over 6 inches of rain falling near Tulsa earlier this week. We hope to hear and share more of your OkieLegacies next weekend. See Y'all next weekend from SW Colorado!

1937-38 Student Directory - NSTC

Alva, Oklahoma - 1937-38 Student Directory - NSTC... "We have finished transcribing the 1937-38 Student Directory for Northwestern State Teacher's College, Alva, Oklahoma. You can view the RTF file at - OkieLegacy.net - StudentDirectory37-38. We are in the process of scanning, transcribing the 1937 Ranger Album, but don't have it completely done. BUT... you can bookmark this link - OkieLegacy.net - NSTCRanger1937 - for future updates. After we finish the 1937 Ranger Album, we will be working on the 1938 Ranger Album. We hope this 1937-38 NSTC Student Directory helps some of you searching names, wheerabouts of your ancestors in 1937-38. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

WWI 0 Sept. 1918

Woods County, Oklahoma - Possible Identification (Frederick Soloman Ward) in Woods County (Oklahoma) 1918 WWI Photo... "My husband believes that his uncle, Frederick Soloman Ward, is standing to the left of the white column or post on the right hand side of the door. The post would be to his left. He was born in 1896 and entered the service from Alva, Woods Co. (Oklahoma) in 1918. His family lived in the Freedom area from 1915-16 and moved away from there in 1919. -- Posted by Anonymous to OkieLegacy Soapbox at 10/14/2004 06:51:06 PM View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Great Information Site

Oklahoma - "Great information site. I plan to add this to my Oklahoma Quick Links on my site - OklahomaCityShoppers.com." -- Rhonda - Email: okcshoppers@email.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Minnesota Ghostowns - Mavie

Mavie, Minnesota - "While looking for history of Mavie, Minnesota, I came across the article about Minnesota Ghostowns written by Jeanine Baringer. I was surprised to hear Mavie called an old ghostown - but I agree that it is. We live in Mavie, Minnesota - not right in the town, but very close to it. My parents lived in Mavie in the late 1920's. My mother was Frances Hincik born to Ferdinand and Josie Hincik - my father, Andrew Orzechowski (Oski) born to Joseph and Anna Orzechowski. I have been searching for any pictures and/or history of the town. I am one of 5 children born to Andrew and Frances. My sisters and I remember going to the 'store' for ice cream or popsickles. There is only one building left in Mavie now in very run down condition. I think it may have been the post office. I would enjoy hearing from anyone that has history or pictures of the town." -- Cathy Email: kainzer@wiktel.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

John & Margaret Snider & Pine Valley (Oklahoma)

Pine Valley, Oklahoma - "I was looking for information on Pine Valley when I came upon this website. This is really great! My mother was born in Pine Valley. I wonder, does anyone have any information on a John Snider and his wife Margaret? My mothers name was Myrtle. There are so many questions I wish I had asked when I could have. I would appreciate hearing any memories someone might have of them. Thanks." -- Wanda Randolph - Email: candw@ev1.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Little Towns, Big Vistas

Colorado - "Got your newest newsletter about your travels to Colorado.  Here is this weeks travel dispatch from the New York Times.

Read the article about the Valley from the Past". You probably drive just south of this, but it might be a nice side trip sometime. Oh, NY Times articles will ask you to register, but it is free.  The articles do expire and become 'pay for' after about a week or so.

You should try your hand at writing for them. I like the wordy phrases this writer uses. I guess if you want to be a travel writer, you have to learn to do that.  Some of your descriptions of your travels sound just like this." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe