Wetmore-Hardscrabble Genealogical & Historical Society

It's been a Good Year for Dandelions!

With all the great moisture we had this winter and spring, Wetmore is now blanketed with dandelions!

photo by Anne Hayward, May 2015

WHG&HS June Meeting

Hi All!

1. First, a reminder that the local kiosk meeting is this Tuesday, June 2nd, at 6:00 p.m. at the Wetmore Community Building in the downstairs hall.  We want you there sharing your stories about the early days of Hardscrabble and Wetmore.  Bring your photos that represent the area.  What do you think makes this part of the county and Colorado important to visitors or to area residents?  Your input will be discussed and reviewed; what should be shared with the travelers/tourists.  Ranching, orchards, agriculture, sawmills, mining, geology and our family histories, etc., had direct impact how this corner of Custer County helped build our cultural heritage that we want to preserve for future generations.

2. The June WHGHS meeting is Saturday, June 6th, at 10 a.m. in the Post Office meeting room.  Our guest speakers will be Tom and Cee Sanders on wildlife rehabilitation and local geology.  Hope we have a good crowd for these interesting and relative subjects.
(This meeting is a week earlier than normal due to some conflicts on the 2nd Saturday of the month.  Your prior notices have alerted you to this, so we look forward to seeing you a week earlier than normal.)

3. Our friend Dick Doman is having medical issues right now.  Your prayers for  recovery and comfort would be appreciated.  Please do not email him but a card or phone call would be nice. 

Margaret

Wetmore-Hardscrabble Community Kiosk Meeting-June 2

Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. will be the local kiosk meeting at the Wetmore Community Building, please see below.  This is a very important step to get your input for the 3-panel signage that will be located at the junction of Highways 67 and 96.  We want your voices to be heard. 

Spread the word by telling your neighbors! 

 

WETMORE-HARDSCRABBLE COMMUNITY

COME JOIN US AT THE FIRST MEETING FOR THE WAYFINDING SYSTEM, LOCAL KIOSK PROJECT IN OUR AREA.  BRING YOUR STORIES OF SIGNIFICANT INTEREST TO PROMOTE HISTORY, TOURISM, AGRICULTURE, GEOLOGY, MINING, RANCHING AND FUN.

WHERE:  WETMORE COMMUNITY BUILDING, downstairs

WHEN:  Tuesday, JUNE 2, 2015, AT 6:00 P.M.

 

BRING YOUR STORIES AND PHOTOS WITH YOU.  WE’LL SCAN THE PHOTOS BEFORE YOU LEAVE, SO THEY’LL NEVER LEAVE YOUR POSSESSION; CURRENT AND HISTORICAL PHOTOS, COLORFUL QUOTES, AND STORIES OF HUMAN INTEREST OR NATURAL INTEREST.

 

MODERATORS:  JUDY WALDEN, PRESIDENT, AND JEANNE FENTER-SNIDER, OF THE WALDEN MILLS GROUP TEAM, ALONG WITH WENDY PETTIT FROM COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, REGION 2 (CDOT HAS PROVIDED FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT)

   SOUTHERN ROCKIES:  CROSSROADS OF CULTURE,   YOUR CUSTER COUNTY MEMBERS                                                

QUESTIONS:  Margaret Storm, 275-8071, Peggy Martin, 784-4717 or Kathy West, 784-3374

COME SUPPORT YOUR COUNTY PROJECT!

 

 

April Showers have Brought May Flowers!

Apple trees are in bloom in Wetmore!

Photo taken at the Hayward property, 5 miles west of Wetmore

WHG&HS May Meeting

Hi Everyone!
Just a reminder we do not have a meeting this Saturday.  Instead, we will meet May 17th with the Fremont Historical Society to hear our own member, Jeff Broome, give the program on the Indian Wars.  That is a Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the church below.  Directions are coming into Cañon City from the east.
Margaret



Shepherd of the Hills Church, 801 Sheridan Ave., Canon City:

Coming from the East on Hwy. 50, there is a stoplight at WalMart which is on your right.  You will continue West to the stoplight at 15th Street, about 1.8 miles, be in the right lane.  Safeway and Pappa John's Pizza are on the righthand corners.  Turn right onto 15th; there is a roundabout in front of you.  Take the 2nd exit from the roundabout onto N. 15th (Post Office is on your right).  Continue up 15th to either College or Woodlawn and turn left.  Go 2 blocks and turn right onto Sheridan.  The church will be on your left.  Turn left into the church parking lot at the first driveway and park at the back.  The doors will be open on that side of the church. 

Upcoming WHG&HS Events

Happy Easter Monday!

Our April meeting will be this Saturday, April 11th, at 10 A.M. in the meeting room of the Historical Society at Wetmore.

Please pray for a successful surgery for Bob Trevithick on April 13th when he is scheduled for a triple (or quadruple) by-pass.  Also keep his family members in those prayers as they await the outcome.  Bob is the father-in-law of Dave Alexander and his wife's (Karen) dad.

The May meeting is scheduled for Sunday, May 17th, at 2 P.M., to hear Jeff Broome's presentation on his latest book, Cheyenne War - Indian Raids on the Roads to Denver 1864-1869.  No business meeting will be held as we will be guests of the Fremont County Historical Society and supporters for Jeff (one of our members).  The Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 801 North Sheridan, in Canon City, is the site for presentation.  A map is below for directions to the church and is also attached.

June's meeting will need to be rescheduled as Peggy and I will be at State Convention for Territorial Daughters of Colorado.  I'm looking at the June 6th and we should have a special speaker that Saturday.   

August 8th is the Community Ice Cream Social to be held at the Trinity Ranch Pavilion, 2 P.M.  Clint Carr has agreed to play during the function.  The Society is sponsoring this COMMUNITY event so we'll need everyone to be involved.

We also hope to have the Wetmore Historic Structures walking/riding tour this summer or fall.  More details to follow.

Directions to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church:

Coming from the East on Hwy. 50, there is a stoplight at WalMart which is on your right.  You will continue West to the stoplight at 15th Street, about 1.8 miles, be in the right lane.  Safeway is on one corner.  Turn right onto 15th; there is a roundabout in front of you.  Take the 2nd exit from the roundabout onto N. 15th (Post Office is on your right).  Continue up 15th to either College or Woodlawn and turn left.  Go 2 blocks and turn right onto Sheridan.  The church will be on your left.  Turn left into the church parking lot at the first driveway and park at the back.  The doors will be open on that side of the church. 

See you on Saturday,
Margaret

WHG&HS February Meeting-February 14

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Our February meeting will be held Saturday, the 14th at 10 a.m. in the Meeting Room behind the Post Office in Wetmore.  Dependent on weather, of course.

I know several regulars will not be able to attend so it should be a quick meeting.

Dues are due: $10 single; $15 family; $100/150 lifetime. Make your checks payable to WHGHS and mail to PO Box 211, Wetmore, CO 81253.

Thanks and see you Saturday,
Margaret

Seasons Greetings from the WHG&HS

Warmest greetings of the season and best wishes for the coming year!

Wetmore-Hardscrabble Genealogical and Historical Society

Wetmore Community Church-100 Year Anniversary Dinner

 

The Wetmore Community Church is celebrating its 100th Year!

The Wetmore Community Church is hosting a community dinner on Friday, December 12 at 6:00 pm in celebration of this important milestone.  The dinner will be held at the Wetmore Community Building located at 95 County Rd 393.  The community is invited to help celebrate with this traditional Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner.

A Brief History of the Wetmore Community Church

The Wetmore Community Church began as the dream of neighborhood women in 1913. At the time, the community did not have a formal meeting place, and the women were concerned that area children were not receiving any religious instruction other than what they were being taught at home. Services and Sunday School had been held at the W.O.W. (Woodman of the World) Hall in Wetmore or at the Wetmore School. Neither location was ideal. Often times the W.O.W. Hall was not in any shape for Sunday School after the previous Saturday night celebrations. The Wetmore School was located at the top of a very steep hill and was difficult for the elderly to access, especially in inclement weather.

Weekly prayer meetings were being held in community homes. At one such meeting in early fall of 1913, the ladies decided that they should build their own church. Soon after that, the Wetmore Ladies Aid Society was formed with the purpose to secure the land and to build a community church. It was decided that they would serve a cafeteria style Thanksgiving dinner as their first fund raiser. Plans for the dinner were put together the Thursday before Thanksgiving in November 1913. The following Monday, members asked for food and money donations from the community. Tuesday the food was collected, and Wednesday it was prepped and cooked. The meal was served in one of the member's residence, and the ladies brought tables, chairs, linens, dishes and silver from their own homes.

The first dinner raised $90.00, and in 1914 construction of the church began. Construction of the Church was completed in 1918. The Ladies Aid continued to hold their annual Thanksgiving dinners until the building was completely paid for. Additions to the building were also funded and paid for by the proceeds of the annual dinners.

Services are still being held at the Wetmore Community Church. Sunday School begins at 9:00 am, followed by church service at 10:00 am.

A Day Spent at Bent's Old Fort-Photos by Dave Alexander

WHG&HS member Dave Alexander and his family recently visited Bent's Old Fort outside of La Junta, CO.

Dave shared some photos of the day which can be found in this Photo Album.

For more information, please check the official site for Bent's Old Fort.

Thank you Dave!