Wetmore-Hardscrabble Genealogical & Historical Society: Wetmore Post Office

Wetmore, CO Post Office

The Wetmore Post Office

The Wetmore Post Office has continually served as the hub of the local community since the beginning of its operation in 1881. It was originally built by Dr. J. W. Walters in 1879 and was used as his residence, office and store. The retail operation included the sale of drugs, sundries and limited grocery items.

To this day, residents visit the post office regularly to receive their mail, as well as to keep in touch with each other.

In 2007, native-born resident Jeannie Cuplin purchased the historic post office property. Jeannie's mission was to provide a gathering place for those who were interested in learning about and preserving the history and genealogy of the Hardscrabble Creek area. With this goal in mind, Jeannie began the long renovation process on the building, and in 2009, the community celebrated the opening of the Wetmore Historical Center.

In September of 2008, after the extensive renovation, the post office building was registered on the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties.

Wetmore General Merchandise

Hollyhocks at the Wetmore Post Office

Jeannie Culpin

1930-2015

Born to George and Phyllis (Porter) Sweeten of Wetmore, Colorado, on September 13, 1930. Both George and Phyllis were descendants of Wetmore pioneers and homesteaders. Jeannie's father died of polio in 1933. In 1936, her mother married Louis Camerlo and moved the family to Florence, Colorado. Jeannie attended Emerson grade school in Florence and was a high school graduate of Saint Scholastica Academy in Canon City. In 1948, Jeannie was named Miss Royal George Round Up. She and two other local beauty queens traveled to Hollywood with newspaper editor Doc Little to bring back the film "Canon City" for the premiere showing in Canon City on July 2, 1948. In 1949 Jeannie became a flight attendant for Continental Airlines, where she met her husband Richard Culpin, whom she married in 1952. They had five children together. Richard Culpin was an executive with the Jergens Company in Cincinnati, Ohio where they lived for 26 years. During Rich's career and following his retirement Jeannie and Rich were able to travel extensively. After her children were grown, Jeannie went back to school and received a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Cincinnati and a Masters Degree from St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati. Following Rich's retirement in 1990 they moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where they lived for 10 years. In 2000 the couple returned to the mountains of Colorado and built their home in the Adobe Creek Ranch area near Wetmore, not far from her ancestor's homesteads. In 2004 her husband died. In 2007 Jeannie was one of the founders of the Wetmore-Hardscrabble Genealogical & Historical Society. Later that year she purchased the Wetmore Post Office in downtown Wetmore and started on her dream project of restoring the building and using a portion of the building for the Historical Society. With the help of many, the project was completed in 2008. The building was designated as a historical structure by both the Colorado and National Historical Societies. In 2012 Jeannie received the Doc Little award for her role in preserving the area's history. Jeannie was preceded in her death by her son, Mark in 1971, and her husband, Richard in 2004. Her surviving children are Kathleen Ebeling (Steve), Rebecca Reynolds (Barry), Deborah Jolly (Russ), and Kenneth Culpin (Nicole), four grandchildren, Joshua and Daniel Ebeling, Jessica and Erin Reynolds. Her brother, George (Sonny) Sweeten and two half brothers, Ed and David Camerlo. Jeannie was baptized, received her first communion and confirmation all at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Florence, Colorado. Jeannie will have her eternal resting place beside both her husband and son in New Hope Cemetery in Wetmore, Colorado. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Benedict's Catholic Church, 622 West 2nd Street, Florence, Colorado, at 10:00 AM on Monday October 12, 2015. Grave Site service at New Hope Cemetery immediately following the Mass. Family would like to invite everyone to a luncheon at The Wetmore Community Center following the Grave Site service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Wetmore-Hardscrabble Genealogical & Historical Society, P.O. Box 211, Wetmore, Colorado, 81253. Arrangements entrusted to Harwood Funeral Home. Online Condolences at harwoodfunerals.com.

Published in www.canoncitydailyrecord.com on Oct. 12, 2015