Historic Douglas County

Carolyn Smith Retires…

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:46:31 +0000

After seven years of leading Highlands Ranch Historical Society, Carolyn Smith steps down as president. Carolyn has led the society into a highly recognized organization for its great monthly historic presentations involving subjects such as Amelia Earhart and Ben Franklin. Under Carolyn’s leadership the membership of the society has doubled. Carolyn did a great job at the helm of the society as a dynamic leader. Nancy Linsenbigler has been appointed the new president of the Society.

PARKER AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOSTS VINTAGE BASEBALL EVENT…

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:34:09 +0000

On Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 12:00 pm, The Parker Area Historical Society will join forces with the Colorado Vintage Base Ball Association to host Parker’s Second Annual Base Ball Living History Day, which will feature a nineteenth-century-style exhibition game. The game will be played using historic costumes and equipment, and according to its original rules, which are very different from those of today. Players on the “Parker” team will include Mayor David Casiano and members of the Parker Area Historical Society.

Sports and history enthusiasts alike will enjoy this wonderfully family-friendly event. It is being offered free to the public, though donations will be accepted and appreciated. After the game, there will be an opportunity to visit with the players and presenters. This is will be a unique and entertaining way to learn about the history of America’s national pastime.

The ball field is located at just south of Stroh Road off of Parker Road, about a half mile south of Walgreens drug store. There will be signs to direct cars to the right spot. Spectators are asked to bring lawn chairs, blankets or something to sit on. There will be vendors selling refreshments during the event. All ages are welcome.

VETERANS MONUMENT POKER RUN AND RAFFLE…

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:13:50 +0000

Do you hear that deep rumble in the distance? No, it is not the reverberations of a U. S. Army’s “King of Battle” field artillery unit from distant Fort Sill, Oklahoma. No again, it’s not the cold rumble of Mother Nature comin’-in over the Rockies, providing us some of her fantastic spring, early-summer “Thunder-Boomers!

The fact of the matter is that it is the Veterans Monument organization’s announcing their Front Range Poker Run and their Harley Davidson Raffle!

”Holy Hannah!”
This is a great event and an even greater cause. $20 gets you an entry into the Poker Run and another $20 (or as many $20s as you want) will get you a raffle ticket for the “Vroom-Vroom” (the Harley). Click on the links in this article for all the information on the Poker Run and on the Harley Davidson Raffle. Come on folks, buy some tickets. Let’s get that Eagle in the air in Castle Rock!

PIKE PEAK GRANGE NO. 163 ANNUAL YARD SALE…

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:08:54 +0000

Pike Peaks Grange No. 163 announces their Annual Yard Sale that will be held on the grounds of the Grange on July 28, 2012. This is a annual event that is always well attended. The Grange’s yard sale motto is, “If it’s legal, you’ll probably find it for sale! If you would like to participate in selling, outside booth spaces are $25 each. Check out this website’s July Events Calendar for more detail.

OLD DOUGLAS COUNTY COMES TOGETHER…

admin — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:45:58 +0000

On April 14, 2012, Historic Douglas County, Inc. hosted the third meeting of the Eastern Colorado Museums and Historical Societies at the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation’s (CALF’s) building on the Lowell OV Ranch south of Castle Rock. This meeting again brought together the museums and historical societies within the boundaries of the “Old (1861) Douglas County” to share and collaborate on their activities, plans, tourist traffic generating and fundraising ideas as well as accounts of what works and what don’t! As always at most get-togethers of historical organizations, good food and refreshments were present. These semiannual meetings of historical organizations and venues from Douglas, Elbert, Kit Carson and Lincoln Counties have been happening since 2010. Most of the organizations and venues are relatively small so these sessions have proved to be extremely beneficial to the attendees by the sharing of ideas and know-hows with other like-organizations.

It was Historic Douglas County, Inc.’s pleasure to host the April meeting and we (HDC) would like to thank all of the 31 participants for attending. Thanks also to CALF for offering their beautiful and efficient building to us for the meeting and to Castle Rock Historic Society and Museum who provided a tour of their museum to the group after the day’s session ended.

CHEROKEE RANCH ANNOUNCES 2012 BIRD & FLOWER HIKES…

admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 01:34:31 +0000

Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation is teaming with the staff of Denver Botanic Gardens to offer a new and exciting hike series that will take guests through the beautiful and historic Cherokee Ranch 3,100 acre property. Oh, the beauty of the property and its magnificent vegetation absolutely makes this a NO MISS! Check it out and make your reservations now. Click 2012 Birds and Flower Hikes.

LARKSPUR HISTORIAN HONORED…

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:02:24 +0000

Ida May Noe, Douglas County pioneer and Larkspur Historical Society Historian, was honored Saturday, April 7, 2012 at a recognition social hosted by the Larkspur Historical Society at the Phillip S. Miller Library in Castle. Some 160 folks recognized Ida May, 90 years of age on July 9, for her many accomplishments for Douglas County and the Larkspur, Spring Valley and Greenland areas. Newly elected Larkspur Mayor, Jerry Been, presented Ida May a plaque from the Town of Larkspur recognizing her long-standing community work and Danna Hamling, Larkspur Historical Society president, presented Ida May with an recognition plaque for all that Ida May has contributed to the Society. Congratulations, Ida May! [Picture: Penny Burdick (r), Ida May Noe (l)]

CASTLE ROCK TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL PRESERVATION MONTH…

admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:51:01 +0000

The Town of Castle Rock, Castle Rock Historic Preservation Board, and Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum announces three May events to celebrate National Preservation Month! May 1, The celebration will kick off Tuesday, May 1, the celebration kicks-off with a proclamation recognizing the month’s observance at the Town Council meeting at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.

On May 2, 6:00 PM, a ceremony at the Town Historic Preservation Board meeting at Town Hall will recognize the stewards of historic sites in Castle Rock. Owners of historically landmarked properties in Castle Rock will be recognized for preserving their buildings, some of which date back to the Town’s founding in 1874. A guest speaker from the Colorado Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation will speak about landmarking properties.

The final event will be conducted on May 19, 2012, with Castle Rock’s third annual Trolley Tour. The unique and special Town of Castle abounds in fascinating historic sites within the Town limits. To reveal these engaging sites and their backgrounds, the Trolley Tour is designed to do just that! Each Tour begins and ends at the Castle Rock History Museum, 420 Elbert Street in Castle Rock. There are four time spots available 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. with limited seating! Emphasis this year will be Phillip S. Miller, landmark properties of the Craig and Gould district, and railroad history. This trolley tour is sponsored by The Town of Castle Rock, Castle Rock Historic Preservation Board, and Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum. Seating is limited and reservations are suggested! For more information and reservations call the Castle Rock Museum at 303-814-3164 or email them at Castle Rock Museum.

SPRING VALLEY SCHOOL ADDED…

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:46:18 +0000

A great addition was preserved for southeastern Douglas County history on March 20, 2012, when the Douglas County Board of County Commissions approved the purchase of the Spring Valley School property under Resolution RO12029. The property will be managed by the Division of Open Space and Natural Resources. You know, we are extremely fortunate to have our Commissioners who care so deeply about our history and cultural values. Thank you, Commissioners.

A FAR CRY FROM 1874…

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:08:10 +0000

The March 8, 2012 edition of the Denver Post announces a milestone, ”Town hits milestone with 50K residents…” My or my, Castle Rock’s come a long way since Jeramiah Gould settled to seed the town!