Wetmore-Hardscrabble Genealogical & Historical Society

Wetmore-Hardscrabble Genealogical & Historical Society

Welcome to the Wetmore-Hardscrabble Genealogical and Historical Society located in Wetmore, Colorado.

Our mission is to provide a means for individuals and organizations to discover, share and preserve the history and genealogy of Wetmore and the Hardscrabble area.

For more information, please e mail

historycenter@wetmorehistoricalsociety.com

Ride the Rockies Day 6-Salida to Canon City, via Wetmore

What a special site the residents along Highway 96 in Wetmore enjoyed on Friday, June 14.  Hundreds of bicyclists participating in the Ride the Rockies went swishing by, one after another, as they headed towards Canon City from Salida.  Because of the Royal Gorge Fire and the closure of Highway 50 just outside of Canon City, the route for today's event was rerouted from Salida through Westcliffe, Silver Cliff, Wetmore and Florence.

 

These photos were taken from the Hayward resident on Highway 96 at approximately Mile Marker 20 1/2.  This section of Hwy 96 has a nice long downhill stretch.  This gives the bicyclists a much needed reprieve after navigating through the steep twists and turns of the Hardscrabble Canyon.

More information on the Ride the Rockies event from the Denver Post:

SALIDA - The Ride The Rockies Bicycle Tour route has been revised due to issues brought on by the Royal Gorge Fire.

The route for Friday, June 14 will begin in Salida and end in Canon City as planned. However, the route has been adjusted so that cyclists will now ride through Westcliffe, Wetmore and Florence before heading north into Canon City.

The new route is intended to avoid the potential closure of US 50 again and minimize stress on state resources.

"The alternate route allows us to continue on to Canon City as planned with hopes of providing an uplifting experience for the community during this unfortunate time," said Ride The Rockies Tour Director Chandler Smith.

Since the fire is causing air quality issues, cyclists will also have the option of being shuttled into Canon City rather than cycling the sixth stage.

"The health and safety of our cyclists is our top priority," Smith said. "Based on all available information, we believe this new route offers cyclists a strong stage while minimizing potential health risks."

The 2013 Annual Ride The Rockies tour began in Telluride on June 9.

Now in its 28th year, The Ride The Rockies Bicycle Tour takes 2,000 cyclists on a six- or seven-day tour through Colorado's Rocky Mountains each June.

WHG&HS Meeting in June

The June meeting will be held at the History Center this Saturday, June 8th, at 10 a.m.  It will be a short business meeting and discussion about a potluck this summer.

See you Saturday.

Margaret

Wetmore Volunteer Fire Department Annual Garage Sale

The Wetmore Volunteer Fire Department will be holding their annual garage sale Saturday June 1, Sunday June 2, and Monday June 3 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The garage sale will be held at the Wetmore Fire Station, 200 County Rd 295, Wetmore, CO.

A wide variety of items including delicious baked goodies will be available for purchase. 

Please come and support our hard-working Volunteer Fire Department!

George Jacob "Red" Hall Obituary

George Jacob "Red" Hall, longtime resident of Wetmore and Colorado has passed away in Edmond, OK.

Burial services will be at the Rosita Cemetery on May 31, 2013, 11:00 a.m.

Please read his obituary here

May 11 Homesite Tour Has Been Postponed

Due to our wonderful moisture, we once again need to postpone the tour at Hamilton's.  It is just too muddy, could damage the environment, and it is supposed to rain again on Saturday.

Our new date is Saturday, September 14th, at 10 a.m.

We will not have a meeting this Saturday either.  Our next meeting will be June 8 at the Historical Society.  Come early, 8:30, as we have yard clean-up duty before the meeting.

Thanks,
Margaret

WHG&HS Meeting and Homesite Tour-May 11

Dear All, May 11th at 10:00 a.m., we will meet at Trinity Ranch.

Please e mail us at historycenter@wetmorehistoricalsociety.com for directions and to let us know you will be attending.

Someone will be at the Ranch gate to direct you to parking. Robert and Joan Hamilton will be our tour guides for the lodge area, Breece homestead, the Tennant homestead, Draper Cave, and Slumber Heights & Stinemeyer Lake. We will hear from Peggy Martin, Dave Alexander and Buddy Draper as well.

Wear sturdy shoes as there will be some hiking. Depending how many attend, we may have to carpool to a couple of areas. Dress in layers; we can always remove jackets. Bring a sack lunch. Hot and/or cold drinks will be furnished.

Margaret

Reseeding and Mulching in the Wetmore Burn Areas

On April 11, 2013, the BLM began dropping seed and mulch over 350 acres in an effort to stabilize the areas burned by the Wetmore Fire in October 2012.

Thanks to Peggy Martin for sharing her photos.

WHG&HS Meeting April 13

Hi All!

April showers bring May flowers...I pray for many showers the rest of the month so May will be full of bright,joyful flowers to begin our new season of life.

Our April meeting will be Saturday, April 13th at 10:00 a.m., at the History Center in Wetmore.  It will be a general business meeting but we hope to see you there.

Margaret

In Honor of George Draper, Co-founder of the WHG&HS

George Draper, Co-founder of the WHG&HS.  Photo taken at the entrance of Draper Cave, 2006.

Leona and George Draper, 2011

 

Burl Stearns Obituary

From the Canon City Record, February 21, 2013

Burl A. Stearns, 88, passed away on February 13, 2013 in Wetmore, CO. He was born July 23, 1924 to George and Ina Stearns in Greenfield, Iowa. Burl married his late wife Lois Jean Martin, October 2, 1948. On November 25, 1972 he married Irene B Breece. He served in the United States Army during WW II and was stationed in Germany. Burl discharged January 18, 1946. He later worked for and retired from the Colorado Department of Corrections. He was a member of the Wetmore Community Church, the Spanish Peaks Chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship and the Florence Senior Center. Burl is survived by his wife, Irene (Breece) Stearns; daughter, Margaret Rose Hidlebaugh who lived in the family home; son, Joseph P. (Kathy) Breece of Winterset, IA; Barbara Ann (Chuck) Owens, Sandra (Bell) McBeth; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ina Mable Stearns; several brothers and a sister; his first wife, Lois Jean Martin. Services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 23, 2013 at the 1st Assembly of God Church, 4501 Bearpaw Drive, Florence, CO. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to Florence Senior Center, Wetmore Community Church or the Wetmore Community Library. Arrangements are handled through Holt Family Florence Historic Funeral Home. Online condolences @ www.holtfamilyfuneral homes.com