The war in Europe, which began in 1939, had almost
immediate effects in Fort Collins. At the college, pilot
training school which began in September, 1939, was
expanded to the summer months in 1940 as a result of the
nation's magnified defense program. A summer defense
training program was also started in Fort Collins in
1940. A program was also initiated to train laborers in
specific war industries.
In October 1940, 3,881 Larimer County men registered for
Selective Service. A national draft was held at the end
of the month. Battery A, of the 168th Field Artillery and
Medical Detachment, was inducted into the U. S. Army in
February, 1941.
In September, 1941, three months before the Japanese
attacked Pearl Harbor, personnel for the local defense
organization were chosen. In addition to providing
advance preparation for possible attack or sabotage, the
program was expected to improve preparedness for
peace-time emergencies.
The pain of war was felt immediately in Fort Collins. Ben
Schlect, a Navy radioman who had attended Fort Collins
High School and had family here, was killed at Pearl
Harbor.
After Pearl Harbor the local war effort began in earnest.
1942 saw Fort Collins citizens involved in many
activities to aid the war effort. These included: War
bond and stamp campaigns; relief for needy families in
the Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard; United China relief;
and a salvage program. In addition, farmers were
challenged to increase their food production. Throughout
the war farmers were aided by prisoner of war labor.
Because of Colorado State College's tradition of
supplying military instruction, an R. O. T. C. program,
and pilot training, its' former students contributed
heavily to the war effort. More than eighty former C. S.
C. students died in the war. The College's faculty also
took part as over one-third of the male teaching and
research staff served in the armed forces or as advisers
to the military. Several members of the faculty aided in
weapons research, including work on the atom bomb. The
College's Extension Service and Experiment Station worked
to maximize food production.
Fort Collins women took part in defense training classes
which taught skills needed for war industries. Although
excluded from foundry work, women were included in
classes for welding, machine shop and sheet metal work.
Although never put to the test, Fort Collins civilian
defense conducted blackouts and air raid drills during
the war. The first blackout test was held in December,
1942. Officials considered it a success as almost a
complete blackout of the city was achieved five minutes
after the alarm was sounded.
The war was brought much closer to home in March, 1945,
when a balloon carrying incendiary and explosive devices
landed and exploded on the Swets farm near Timnath. The
Japanese had launched more than 9,000 such balloons the
previous November in an effort to create forest fires
which, combined with the random bombing effect, they
hoped would hurt American morale. Only about 290 of the
balloons were reported to have reached American soil.
The end to the world conflict was celebrated on August 14
& 15, 1945, following announcement of the Japanese
surrender. In Fort Collins, pedestrians and motorists
jammed the streets until late at night. Businesses and
offices closed. A thanksgiving service was held at the
Methodist Church.
The post war years brought curricular and physical
changes to Colorado A & M. The G. I. Bill allowed
veterans the chance to receive an education at no cost to
themselves. As a result, enrollment at the College
increased dramatically. Housing became a problem,
necessitating the purchase of prefabricated quonset huts
which were used to create a "Veterans Village"
on the south side of Laurel Street east of Shields Street
in the spring of 1946.
Just retruned from a war in which they'd fought against a
regime supported by racism, the veterans were sensitive
to discriminatory practices. Hence, they led a protest
against local merchants who would not do business with
Spanish-American customers and displayed "White
Trade Only" signs.
The College had experienced a change in leadership
earlier in the decade when Dr. Charles A. Lory, president
for thirty-one years, retired in 1940. To honor Lory,
crowds of people celebrated "Lory Days" on May
2 and 3. A three mile long parade depicted the school's
history during Lory's tenure.
Roy M. Green became the College's sixth president. Green
saw the school through the difficult war years and the
growth problems which followed. He died of a heart attack
in January, 1948. I. E. Newsom acted as interim president
before William E. Morgan was appointed to the office in
1949.
The College and High School provided exciting athletic
teams during the decade. The College's football team
played in its' only bowl game, the Raisin Bowl, following
the 1948 season.
The Fort Collins High School basketball team won its'
first state title in March, 1941.
One of the worst winter storms in the history of the
region struck in January 1949. After a local New Years
Day temperature of 70 degrees, a "killer"
blizzard began on the 2nd. A second storm battered the
area four days later. Temperatures which dropped to as
low as 50 degrees below zero combined with eighty
mile-per-hour winds to maroon 200,000 people and claim
over one hundred lives along the storms' paths.
Fort Collins' cultural resources were enhanced by two
major developments during the decade. In 1940 the Pioneer
Museum, a W. P. A. project, was completed. The Antoine
Janis cabin had been moved to Library Park in 1939 from
its location near LaPorte. It formed the nucleus of the
museum.
The Fort Collins Symphony was founded in 1949 when Will
Schwartz, a New York native, came west to teach at
Colorado A & M. Fifty musicians made up the
orchestra, which held its' first performance in December.
BUSINESS/INDUSTRY
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1940
Fort Collins Royalty Co. declares dividend (1-29-1940
21/8)
1944
Extends P. S. Co. franchise for one year (7-21-1944 23/3)
1945
Record price on cattle: $17.55 (10-3-1945 4/2)
Light plant free of debt (10-15-1945 23/8)
Colo. Division Production and Marketing Administration to
be there (11-29-1945 22/1)
1946
Seeks new radio station (4-11-1946 32/7)
Douglas D. Kahle and others authorized to operate radio
station (5-25-1946 14/8)
1947
Strike brewing on labor projects (6-21-1947 3/2)
Phone rate hikes (11-21-1947 5/6)
1948
Raises city workers pay (1-23-1948 12/3)
1949
Oil boom deflated (8-31-1949 26/7)
AGRICULTURE
SUGAR BEETS NEEDED
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (1/1/1942)
Beet farmers assured there would be no restrictions by
the government on the acreage devoted to beets in wake of
possible great losses of sugar imports from Hawaii and
the Philippines. Beet crops satisfied "Secretary
Wickard's plea for food to win the war and write the
peace, not just any kind of food, but the highly
concentrated, highly nutritious foods that ship easily,
store easily. Beets produce sugar and indirectly meat
since beet tops are used as feed."
FOOD FOR VICTORY
COLORADOAN (6/11/1942)
"One of the most patriotic groups in the county, the
farmers are working tirelessly to increase production of
'Food for Victory' in the face of growing shortages of
labor and materials. They have been asked to increase
production of dairy products 5 percent, of eggs 10
percent, and of various kinds of animals for slaughter
between 5 and 30 percent, and they are going to meet all
of these goals, according to Don Mc Millen, county
extension agent. Beet production also increased. Good
rainfall helped.
PRISONER OF WAR CAMP
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (Page 352)
Windsor area - Thousands of POWs did agriculture work on
farms.
POW FARM LABOR
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (3/22/1945)
Prisoners of war were used in Larimer County for labor
during the war. Nearly 700 German POWs were to be used at
Fort Collins in 1945 for cultivation of the sugar beet
crop to arrive about May 15. 1,655 prisoners were in the
county.
BEET WORKERS NEEDED
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER-(10/14/1942)
Fort Collins residences to be canvassed. Residents asked
questions on their willingness to work in the beet fields
and their beet experience. Volunteer laborers still
needed for 1,515 of 12,315 acres or 4,500,000 pounds of
sugar could have been lost. Vital crop for war effort.
Fort Collins Express Courier called problem
"...one of the most critical conditions which has
arisen locally since the start of WWII."
DRIVE TO GET BEET WORKERS OFF RELIEF
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (3/25/1941)
Junior Chamber of Commerce pushing plan which would,
hopefully, take Larimer County beet workers off county
relief rolls and save county thousands of dollars. The
plan would put laborers on farms and keep them there thus
"stabilizing the laborer and helping to improve the
farm."
"The laborer would be expected to take an interest
in the farm, to help with ...odd jobs... and to do the
'extra labor' which is needed from time to time."
Want 50 farmers and beet labor families for trial run.
Farmers would allow families "to live on their farms
the year around, to provide them with a house, garden
space, a place for chickens and perhaps even a small
amount of pasture."
"The farmer would be expected to provide for nothing
more. It would not be his responsibility 'to carry the
man through the winter' as has so often been true and
which is chiefly responsible for the failure of the
farmer to keep his worker on the farm."
Government would provide aid for laborer in winter.
MECHANICAL HARVESTER
COLORADOAN (10/2/1945)
"Larimer and Weld Counties, center of the Colorado
beet sugar industry, are witnessing a race of engineers
against an impending shortage of labor for harvesting
next year's sugar beet crop."
"Mechanical harvesters, in all stages of
experimentation, are being tested in fields here by
several of the nation's biggest manufacturers.
Independent designers are on the scene as well."
Labor problem threatened beet industry in 18 states.
Labor costs expected to rise as worker shortage
increases--necessary to keep costs down to compete with
imported cane sugar.
"Chief reasons for the labor shortage next year will
be the repatriation of German prisoners of war and a
probable legislative bar against bringing Mexican
nationals to the fields."
HORSETOOTH CONTRACTS
COLORADOAN (6/27/1946)
Big headline announces Reservoir appropriations:
"Long awaited word that the Horsetooth Reservoir
contracts have been signed in Washington and received
here today. Despite the failure of congress to make a
$15,000,000 appropriation for the Colorado - Big Thompson
project for 1947, the contracts call for the enlarged
estimate of a 146,000 acre - foot reservoir costing 9 1/2
million dollars. Horsetooth reservoir is the first major
Eastern slope storage unit of the Colorado - Big Thompson
project, and because of its proximity to Fort Collins,
the unit which will most profoundly affect this
community."
June 28, 1946, page 1
Reservoir work crews and their families would increase
Ft. Collins population by about 2,000. Main dam to be
125' high.
July 17, 1946
Ground broken-- Spring Canyon Dam.
HORSETOOTH DAM COMPLETION
COLORADOAN (July 5, 1949)
"Horsetooth Reservoir west of here will be completed
this week, except for some clean-up work remaining on the
main Horsetooth dam.... All rock and gravel work on the
main Horsetooth dam, the fourth and final structure of
the reservoir, is expected to be finished this week, the
project engineer reported."
"The reservoir, which has a capacity of 147,000
acre-feet of water, is not expected to be filled until
about the middle of 1951, when other phases of the
Colorado - Big Thompson project and the Horsetooth feeder
system are scheduled to be completed."
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1945
Referee in Water Supply and Storage Company upheld
(2-20-1945 32/2)
Irrigation suit set for Dec. 18; case filed in 1926
(10-20-1945 2/4)
1946
To study water seepage loss (11-16-1946 14/4)
Ranchers cooperate during shortage (12-1-1946 8/1)
1947
First trainload of Mexican laborers arrives (5-17-1947
16/4)
1949
Ft. Collins Lamb Feeders Association Fred W. Beier, Jr.,
Denver, addresses annual meeting (2-7-1949 19-1)
Hartner to head agricultural board (4-13-1949 48/1)
To celebrate soil victory (11-15-1949 19/1)
Irrigation authorities to meet at Colorado A & M
November 30 (11-27-1949 12/7)
GOVERNMENT/CITY DEVELOPMENT
WOMEN ON JURIES
MILLER COLLECTION FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER
(4/2/45)
"District Judge Claude C. Coffin feels a headache
coming on, due next September--so do the county
commissioners. The headache arises from the fact that
last September the people of Colorado adopted a
constitutional amendment providing that women may serve
on juries, combined with the further fact that members of
juries serving in some important trials may not be
separated. Providing of adjacent quarters in such a way
that the legal ban against separation of a confined jury
may be observed, at the same time that the social custom
for separate sleeping quarters for men and women is
upheld, poses a nice question in the fields of
architecture, moral custom and psychology for some of the
state courts."
PETTICOAT RULE
COLORADOAN (10/23/1946)
Women of the Moose, 11 strong, will invade the mayor's
office, the council chambers and other F.C. city offices,
taking the reins of city government for one day. The
invasion is in celebration of Mooseheart Day and the
birthday of the lodge's governor, James J. Davis, on
Oct.27. Some 500 chapters of the organization are
expected to carry out similar programs promoted by the
lodge to make better citizens of its' members. Mayor to
be Mrs. Frank P. Jessee and others are listed. This is
the first time the local chapter ha done this.
CITY GOVERNMENT
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
The town was still under 14,000 population in the 1940s
when reform in city government gained headway. See city
government, 1950s.
Mayors:
1936-42 Ray R. Mathews
1942-48 William M Bevington
1948-54 Robert W. Hays
CITY GOVERNMENT
COLORADOAN (6/11/1942)
Commission Manager form of government described for Fort
Collins Mayor--Commissioner of Health and Safety,
Commissioner of Public Works, Commissioner of Finance and
Purchases. Under commission is police court, zoning
board, library board. Other executive duties, including
management of city utilities, are handled by city
manager.
Each department of city has superintendent responsible to
city manager. "All policy, including ordinances are
drawn up, approved and passed by the commission, and the
manager executes such ordinances, as are necessary in the
control of city government."
POUDRE VALLEY BANK/LINDEN HOTEL
TRIANGLE REVIEW (7/28/1982)
See article attached to written copy.
CROWDED CHURCHES
COLORADOAN (10/24/1946)
New construction and remodeling costing approximately
$120,000 is planned by three Fort Collins churches. A
survey made this week revealed that they are seeking to
overcome crowded conditions resulting from heavy gains in
population here in recent years. Other churches are
considering similar steps. The three churches are First
Baptist, First Presbyterian, and Church of the Nazerine.
Most of the churches in the city report attendance much
larger than ever before. Most pastors reported that more
college students were in attendance and that they were
much more serious- minded than before.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1942
M. M. Bevington elected mayor (4-8-1942 7/1)
Three drown in cesspool (7-11-1942 1/5)
1945
Ration coupons stolen (2/13/1945 1/7)
$50,000 in coupons stolen (2-14-1945 3/5)
Gets loan of $24,422 for sewage plant (9-26-1945 24/8)
Chamber of Commerce urges 2 cent gas tax increase
(11-15-1945 6/2)
1946
Shows growth (1-18-1947 16/4)
Rent controls established by OPA (1/21/1946 30/3)
F. A. Murke home destroyed by fire (2-1-1946 9/1)
To vote April 2 on sewage plant (2-22-1946 9/1)
Two candidates for Commissioner of Finance in April 2
election (3-7-1946 5/1)
Vote for quarter of a million bond issue for sewage
(4-3-1946 1/7)
J. Morris Howell named city commissioner (4-3-1946 24/4)
Wins fire prevention honor in its' class (4-10-1946 32/1)
67 building permits issued (8-11-1946 5/3)
May vote on dry law repeal (9-30-1946 24/1)
Big blaze knocks out fire prevention record (11-28-1946
32/1)
1947
Police study salary offer (3-26-1947 30/8)
Explosion at Ed Johnson's hurts six (4-24-1947 1/1)
Gas supply causes halt in heat units at Fort Collins
(5-5-1947 24/4)
Fire plug blasted by dynamite (6-11-1947 3/6)
29 residents sue for highway upkeep (6-19-1947 32/2)
Public service franchise election tomorrow (10-13-1947
30/4)
Vote for gas franchise (10-15-1947 36/1)
1948
Power rate rise may help finance recreation plan
(2-14-1948 16/2)
Petition asking legalization of liquor sales filed
(3-9-1948 32/3)
Plans for vote at city election on liquor sales meets
defeat (3-11-1948 40/2)
Dr. Robert W. Hays elected mayor (4-7-1948 32/6)
Sewage plant nears completion (6-15-1948 32/7)
Wins fire prevention honors of 1948 (12-27-1948 24/7)
1949
To build new rodeo grounds (2-17-1949 2/2)
To build city park swimming pool (3-22-1949 13/4)
Tightens sewage disposal laws (5-3-1949 3/1)
To study rent curb end (5-31-1949 40/4)
Ponder rent decontrol (7-8-1949 36/8)
Council asks rent decontrol (7-15-1949 36/7)
New swimming pool opens (8-2-1949 13/6)
Knous requests facts for rent action (8-3-1949 13/6)
Fort Collins rebukes Knous for rent query (8-13-1949
16/8)
Letters to Knous protest rent decontrol (8-17-1949 23/5)
Knous again demands rent data from councilmen (8-18-1949
2/2)
Knous to hold hearing on rent control (8-21-1949 3/7)
Rent curb plans leaves governor cold (8-24-1949 2/1)
Housing unit data given by landlords (8-29-1949 13/1)
Knous sent report on rents (9-21-1949 22/1)
Knous delays in lifting rent controls (9-22-1949 3/14)
Chamber of Commerce asks for flags back from Fraternity
(10-6-1949 2/8)
Factory razed by fire (10-13-1949 60/2)
Knous refuses rents decontrol (10-26-1949 48/1)
Wins third place in anti-fire drive (12-26-1949 36/2)
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
COLORADO A & M FOOTBALL
COLORADOAN (April 15, 1984)
Most successful period for CSU football was post-war
years of 1947-50. Played in only bowl of school's history
after 1948 season - the Raisin Bowl- lost to Occidental
21 -20.
Notable players of those years include Jack Christiansen,
who went on to become the only Colo. A & M/CSU alum
in the NFL Hall of Fame; Thurman McGraw, who became an
all-pro tackle for the Detroit Lions in an
injury-shortened career, and later coached for CSU and
took administrative positions as assistant Athletic
Director and Athletic Director.
RECORDS FOR THOSE YEARS:
1947: 5-4-1
1948: 8-3-0
1949: 9-1-0
1950: 6-3-0
BIG COACHING CHANGE
COLORADOAN (October 22, 1946)
Front page headlines announced that Harry Hughes would
take over coaching duties for Aggie football team.
"Today Julius (Hans) Wagner, head football coach at
Colorado A & M College, was ousted from his coaching
job in a surprise move, spearheaded by a group of alumni
of the college and others, which came as the direct
result of two disastrous Aggie gridiron defeats in Big
Seven conference play."
"Coach Wagner was, in effect, relieved of his duties
as head coach shortly before noon today by President Roy
M. Green, who temporarily turned full responsibility for
directing the Aggie team back to Harry W. Hughes, who
retired as coach before the 1942 season to become
full-time director of athletics."
Players reportedly dissatisfied.
Hughes was head coach from 1911-1942. He was often
called, "Dean of American Coaches".
"Thus the head coaching duties went back to the man
who but six months ago was the target of a student
ultimatum demanding that the college athletic department
be revised to do away with asserted `decadent conditions
and impassive attitudes prevalent in the very foundation
of the department.'"
Wagner very successful wrestling coach at A & M.
RAILROAD PROBLEMS ON CAMPUS
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (April 9, 1941)
The Faculty Club of Colorado State College was
investigating the possibility of removing the Railroad
tracks from the campus. Resolution sent to President Roy
Green and State Board of Agriculture. Similar proposal
had been made several years earlier.
Railroad noise halted classes three times daily and plays
in Old Main auditorium had to freeze. Traffic dangers
were considered.
OBSTACLES: Railroad here first and has right of way. In
early days campus was not a part of Fort Collins; people
rode train from campus to town.
HOUSING PROBLEMS
COLORADOAN (12/7/1945)
"Two announcements told of work scheduled to start
immediately on the 'Veteran's Village' on the Colorado A
& M campus and on a 77 unit housing project in
Laramir County, Moore's third addition in the southeast
section of the city. Money expenditures totaling more
than $800,000 are involved in the projects of which
$200,000 will be accounted for in a bond issue to finance
'Veterans Village,' to be offered by a Denver bond firm
through arrangement with college administration. Vet
Village, a 100 unit project for vet students and
families. Pre-fab houses ordered through Montgomery Ward
& Co.
HOUSING PROBLEMS
COLORADOAN (1/1/1946)
Not enough housing for incoming students to Colorado A
& M. Enrollment estimaed at 1,300 but could be more
if housing was available. Offices and storage areas are
being converted to dorm rooms. A $1,000,000 building plan
for the year is being developed including Veterans
Village, L.C. Moore additions, cheese factory, city
waterworks improvements, city sewage treatment plant east
of the city, and possibly construction of part of
city-county civic center buildings on courthouse square.
ROY M. GREEN ELECTED PRESIDENT COLORADO A & M
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen
1940
COLORADO A & M PRESIDENT GREEN SHOT
COLORADOAN (Oct. 1, 1946)
Colorado A & M president, Dr. Roy M. Green, was an
unfortunate bystander during a shooting spree in the
Brown Palace Hotel. Green received a flesh wound on his
right shoulder. A war veteran went berserk with a gun
following a reportedly trivial argument with a salesman.
A CU medical professor was killed.
Green and companions had just staggered inside the Ship's
Tavern on their way to the State Health Association
meeting when a man at the bar started firing. The man,
who was a Grand Junction policeman, denied firing the
gun.
PRESIDENT GREEN DIES
COLORADOAN (January 23, 1948)
Colorado A & M President, Roy M. Green, died on the
22nd from a heart attack caused by a blood clot. Had
undergone two nerve operations for high blood pressure;
died while in St. Joseph's Hospital. He was 58 and had
been president. since Aug. 16, 1940. He succeeded Dr.
Lory.
I. E. NEWSOM, INTERIM PRESIDENT
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (Fall 1948/49)
ROY GREEN DEATH
William E. Morgan elected president, 1949.
LORY DAYS
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (May 23, 1940)
Big crowds celebrated "Lory Days" on the 2nd
and 3rd to honor retiring Dr. Charles A. Lory, president
of Colorado A & M for 31 years. Several bands
participated in a parade, 3 miles long, that depicted
school's history during Lory's tenure. Gov. Ralph Carr
was present. A rodeo and ball were held. A dinner and
assembly closed the celebration on the 3rd. Dr. F. D.
Farrell, president of Association of Land Grant Colleges
and Universities spoke, as did Dr. Lory.
DR. LORY'S LAST COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (Aug. 16, 1940)
In his final commencement address as president of
Colorado A & M, retiring Dr. Lory warned graduates of
the challenge of totalitarianism and of the need for
loyalty, service, and patriotism.
"... in meeting the challenge of totalitarianism,
let us not forget that the struggle of peoples for
individual freedom, the opportunity for advancement and
security of life and property under law are
eternal."
The Honorary degree of Doctor of Science was awarded
Lory.
A & M ENROLLMENT RECORD
COLORADOAN (Oct. 1, 1946)
Colorado A & M registration went over 3,300 far
exceeding pre-term estimates of 2,600-2,800, and the
previous pre-war record of 2,050. 1945 fall enrollment
was 1,050; Spring was 1,650. Housing was promised to all
students.
Oct. 4,1946: Additional registrants expected to boost
total to 3,500.
COLLEGE PROGRAM FOR VETS
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (May 21, 1944)
Returning veterans to be offered three types of
instruction--regular college courses of study--degrees in
agriculture, home economics, science & arts,
forestry, veterinary medicine, vocational education, and
engineering. Others who have not graduated from high
school, but have experience and can pass entrance exams
will be allowed to enter regular course study.
Shorter, practical programs offered for vets wishing to
register as unclassified students and receive
certificates of attainment in two years.
For those who can't qualify for college entrance and want
only vocational training, they can receive this at the
Ft. Lewis branch of the college in Durango.
G.I. BILL FOR VETERANS EDUCATION
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (1946)
Campus swamped by vet students
VETS' VILLAGE--Quonset huts for housing
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1947
Students to try out own traffic plan (10-3-1947 22/4)
1949
Civil engineering professor, Robert L. Lewis, takes new
job (4-13-1949 48/6)
CIVIC
STATE ELKS CONVENTION
COLORADOAN (9/16/1948, 9/20)
Making big headlines on this date was the 45th annual
state convention for the Elks.
"With flying banners and a funfull (sic) schedule
Lodge No. 804 and all Fort Collins welcome the Colorado
Elks to their forty-fifth annual state convention. Local
Elks and their wives have worked, planned and decorated
to make the 1948 convene one of the best ever. In
addition to normal convention business, planned events
included Fort Collins tours, recreational activities,
parade, Grand Ball, picnicking and midget auto
races." About 2,400 registrants.
MASONS
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (9/29/1935)
Began with small group of 10 members meeting in attic of
"Auntie" Stone's flour mill in 1870 to discuss
formation of a Masonic Lodge. Collins Lodge No. 19
received its' charter on 9/28/1870. Charter members:
Henry Clay Peterson (Worshipful Master), J. H. Bradstreet
(Secretary), J. R. Wills (Senior Warden), B. H. Eaton
(Junior Warden), Abner Loomis (Treasurer), Clyde J.
McDivitt (Senior Steward), A. J. Davis (Junior Steward),
and George W. Smith. Titles received following month when
Deputy Grand Master installed officers, some of which
were not charter members. Had earlier authorization for
Freemasons--included other members. Then it was
chartered.
RED CROSS WOMEN
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (8/7/1940)
More than 300 Larimer County women active in Red Cross
volunteer service are making clothes. Most garments going
to European victims--most to hospitals in England, but
some wheel chair lap robes given to vet hospitals in
America. 12 garment units in county, 3 in Fort Collins at
Presbyterian. Congregational, Unitarian, and Baptist
churches.
FAMINE RELIEF
COLORADOAN (5/19/1946)
Famine a worldwide problem in post war years. Former
President Herbert Hoover said hunger is facing 1\3 of the
world population. Fort Collins will join the rest of the
country this week in a concentrated campaign to furnish
food and money for food for hungry millions in the rest
of the world. Churches today will unite in prayers and
plans to help relieve famine conditions in other parts of
the world. Several churches are having their own
collections, Members of other churches will join in the
community wide effort by taking their contributions to
the various collection stations.
FIRE CONTEST WINNER
COLORADOAN (4/8/1949)
For the second straight year, Fort Collins has ranked
first in its' population class in the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce inter-chamber fire waste contest. Contest judged
cities which did the most to reduce fire waste. For its'
efforts in 1948, Fort Collins placed first in class 6,
the division for municipalities of less than 20,000 in
population.
FORT COLLINS MUSEUM
DEW MEMORY - MUSEUM FILES 1940-1941
Built as WPA project, and called Pioneer Museum. It
opened spring of 1941. Building demolished, museum moved
to old Carnegie Library, 1976.
PIONEER MUSEUM
COLORADOAN VACATION EDITION (5/29/1941)
Museum completed 1940 a WPA project - appropriation of
$18,881. Janis Cabin (moved to Library Park in 1935 from
location near LaPorte) formed nucleus of museum. Fort
Collins Pioneer Societies and Indian Relic and Hobby Club
added $6,300. Examples of museum holdings listed.
FORT COLLINS SYMPHONY
FORT COLLINS REVIEW (10/7/1981)
"Founded in 1949 when Will Schwartz came from his
native N. Y. to teach at CSU (then Colorado A & M)
the symphony was originally a college orchestra which
accepted community people. Only 17 musicians responded to
the first orchestra call that Fall. But undaunted,
Schwartz announced its' first concert to be held in
December. By the second rehearsal, attendance had
doubled, and by the performance the orchestra had some 50
musicians."
MAMMOTH TUSK FOUND IN HORSETOOTH
IN OLD WYOMING NEWSPAPER (10/1947)
Discovery of a 3 foot section of a mammoth's tusk
estimated to be 25,000 plus years was reported by Major
Roy G. Coffin, retired geology and chemistry professor at
Colorado A & M. The find was uncovered near the
vicinity of the Spring Canyon Dam, in one of the huge
ditches that connect the sections of the reservoir. The
tusk was lying on shale, overlaid with the characteristic
red mud of the area. This indicates, according to Coffin,
that it was deposited at the end of the glacial age
25,000 years ago and afterward overlaid with soil eroding
from the nearby hills.
SEQUENCE OF POINTS AT LINDENMEIER
IN OLD WYOMING NEWSPAPER 10/28/1940
A stratified sequence of different types of Folsom
points, supposedly spearheads, which have been found
associated with the remains of mammoths and extinct bison
and camels which presumably became extinct shortly after
the close of the last ice age. The spearheads were the
work of the oldest known human inhabitants of the
continent -- a race of nomadic hunters.
Reported by Dr. Frank H. Roberts Jr., archaeologist for
the Bureau of American Ethnology.
One of Dr. Roberts' most significant finds at the Folsom
level this year consists of bone needles with an eye --
by far the oldest artifact of this sort yet uncovered in
North America and approximately contemporary with the
earliest true needles of European cave dwellers.
BASKETBALL TITLE
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (3/16/1941)
Fort Collins High School Lambkins basketball team won
its' first state title in 11 tournament appearances. They
beat Longmont 27-14 in championship game.
DOG LEADER
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (Feb. 23, 1941)
"Burly", a dog who became leader of a pack of
coyotes which raided livestock and poultry northwest of
Ft. Collins, made the headlines. Some sympathetic readers
urged a "fair trial" for the dog. The director
of Dogville in Ft. Worth, Texas asked that Burly not be
killed... said he would take him. Burly eluded hunters
using shotguns the previous week. Hounds would be used
this day.
Feb. 24, 1941
Burly could not be located by hounds or hunters.
Feb. 26, 1941
Burly caught alive when he became entangled in a
barbed-wire fence after being shot at. May become pet.
Feb. 28, 1941
Burly taken by trainer from Wheatridge for training in
"how to roll barrels, jump hoops, do `mathematical
problems' and demonstrate traffic safety." He will
be used for "kindness to animals" programs for
Denver school children.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1941
Gift of paintings of George and Martha Washington
(10-2-1941 23/1)
1946
Fort Collins Jaycees to stop in Denver (1-12-1947 3/5)
Pioneer Society asks Horsetooth Dam be named Lake Lory
(8-5-1946 24/1)
1948
To celebrate 75th anniversary February 3 (1-22-1948 5/5)
Rural drama festival scheduled Mar. 19 (3-4-1948 26/6)
To hear Women's GOP chief, Mrs. Addison Green (3-15-1948
14/5)
School annexation vote set for June 10 (5-25-1948 9/1)
Elementary school building bids open Dec. 10 (11-15-1948
3/6)
1949
Fort Collins Engineers Club in favor of present state
highway set-up (1-17-1949 8/5)
Engineers Club opposing high salaried administration to
head highway department (1-20-1949 25/5)
Berkeley Heights Boosters home demonstration club play
wins honors in rural play festival (3-26-1949 18/8)
High school class of 1929 to rally (5-25-1949 3/1)
Churches seeking aid for more DP students (10-10-1949
27/3)
Children of Mr. & Mrs. Jess R. to have Christmas
(12-23-1949 28/4)
Fire Chief T. P. Treadwell named for Kiwanis award
(12-29-1949)
NATURAL PHENOMENA
"KILLER" BLIZZARD
COLORADOAN (April 15, 1984)
New Years Day temperature was 70 degrees... Strong winds
blew in on the 2nd... 125 stranded people taken to
Wellington's American Legion Hall, while an emergency
station was set up. "A marooned doctor examined
people for frostbite and shock, and women offered to take
refugees to their homes."
"On Jan. 6 a new storm devastated the area. By
mid-January, 200,000 people were marooned and faced
starvation in ranch houses, trains, cars and towns. Winds
of 80 MPH and temperatures as low as 50 degrees below
zero were recorded.
"The storm claimed more than 100 lives. People and
animals were found frozen in snowdrifts. Over-exertion
killed other people, and some died of asphyxiation in
cars buried by snow."
(Contemporary paper in files: 1/3/1949)
HIGH WINDS
COLORADOAN (Dec. 20, 1948)
"High winds, mounting at times to hurricane force,
swept the Ft. Collins area today, inflicting damage to
buildings, utility lines and trees. Building damage was
concentrated at Colorado A & M college and its
veterans' and trailer villages. E. G. Whitehead, college
building superintendent, estimated the damage toll would
reach $48,000."
Also much damage at Christman field where wind peaked at
96 MPH. Loss of much topsoil reported at areas north and
west. Wind apparently caused derailment of five baggage
cars of Colorado and Southern railroad 28 miles north of
Ft. Collins. No one hurt as passenger cars stayed on
track.
MILITARY ACTIVITIES/WAR
PILOT TRAINING COURSE
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (6/4/1940)
As a result of the nation's expanded defense program and
the college's high ranking for pilot training, CSU had a
summer pilot training program added and it would begin
June 20.
SUMMER DEFENSE TRAINING
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (7/3/1940)
Fort Collins was to be included in a summer defense
training program. This is a national program for which
$15,000,000 is allotted each community to have a
directing committee or board to include Head of
Vocational Education, head of local state employment
office, representatives from manufacturers that have war
orders, and labor representatives. It is a program to
train laborers in specified industries and may be
expanded later.
SELECTIVE SERVICE
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (10/17/1940)
3881 men ages 21 to 36, registered in the county on the
16th. These men will be categorized as either available
for service, or deferred for various reasons. 10/29 list
of Larimer Co. men drawn in national draft would receive
questionnaires on availability.
(11/19) Larimer County's first five draftees given.
SELECTIVE SERVICE
Larimer Co. Men register for the draft
BROWN'S SCRAPBOOK, THE WESTERNERS
List of the names of Larimer Co. men registered under the
Selective Service Act and their serial numbers as
assigned by the County draft board. There are
approximately 3,500 men registered in the County.
CIVIL DEFENSE PROGRAM
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (9/8/1941)
Personnel for principal parts of local defense
organizations were to be chosen this day. "The
executives will follow the outlines of a local defense
plan suggested by Fiorello H. La Guardia, United States
director of civil defense, for cities throughout the
country. The plan is based on experience of European
cities which have undergone bombing raids and sabotage,
and is intended to prepare American cities to meet public
emergencies in general, especially those which may result
from war developments. Felt it would also be good
preparation for peace time emergencies.
BATTERY A: ITS' HISTORY
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (2/25/1941)
Battery A, of the 168th Field Artillery and medical
detachment, Fort Collins National Guard units, were
inducted into U.S. Army. Claims to be the oldest
artillery in the state. "...the history of the unit
begins with the muster into state service of the Chaffee
Light Artillery" at Denver, March 7, 1878.
"Records of the muster-in show as officers Captain
Albert H. Jones, First Lieutenant Samuel C. Chapin and
Second Lieutenant Ralph C. Webster. On July 1, 1898, the
United States having declared war against Spain, the
'Chaffee Light Artillery' was mustered into federal
service as 'Battery A, Colorado Volunteer
Artillery.'" Went to Ft. Logan, then to Ft. Hancock,
N.J. for garrison duty and training. Mustered out of
federal service in Nov. 1898. " Chaffee Light
Artillery" was reformed. 1906 redesignated "The
First Field Artillery." 1908 became "Battery A
Field Artillery, Colorado National Guard." Also see
1910s' Time Line section.
COUNCILS FOR DEFENSE
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (12/10/1941)
Colorado counties asked to organize defense councils.
"The cities of Fort Collins and Loveland, towns and
communities, and the county generally were busy
completing organization of defense councils Wednesday on
instructions from Governor Ralph L. Carr and State
Defense Coordinator W. H. Leonard. "The councils
will include several committees assigned to handle
fire-fighting services, police services, medical
services, public works, including streets, buildings,
water and sewage; utilities; maintenance of vital
services; and public relations and education."
Mayor will head the council in Fort Collins. Sheriff's
posse is being formed - police powers supersede those of
any organization or individual with exception of federal
authorities in county. Sheriff asking for special car--2
way radio, special fuel tanks and fire-fighting
equipment, to be available for "any emergency."
BLACKOUT
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (12/15/1942)
Fort Collins civilian defense officials rated the town's
first blackout test a success. Virtually a complete
blackout of the entire county was reported within five
minutes after the alarm signal was sounded at 9:00 P. M.
Blackout period lasted 20 minutes. Fake bombing and fire
incidents were practiced.
WAR EFFECTS ON COLLEGE
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen
Casualties of students in war service
Faculty people in service
College's services in war effort
Accelerated academic program to get students as much
education as possible before active duty. Over 80 former
students killed in war. Contributions of college and its'
people.
WORLD WAR II
COLORADO STORY-Hafen & Hafen 1941-1945
138,832 men "served in the military effort, one out
of every eight residents of the state." "In
eight great War Loans Colorado citizens subscribed over
700 million in bonds, which amounted to about 150% of the
quotas assigned." "Approximately 150,000
Colorado men and women served in the military forces
during the war period. Of these, about 2,700 gave their
lives for their country."
FIRST WW II CASUALTY
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (12/14/1941)
Ben Schlect, radioman in the U.S. Navy, was killed at
Pearl Harbor, the first local casualty of the war. Had
two brothers in Fort Collins. He was 35 and went to Fort
Collins High School.
DEFENSE TRAINING CLASSES
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (12/30/1941)
"The National Defense training classes of this city
will swing into high gear immediately after Jan. 1, with
approximately 200 men enrolled, it was announced Tuesday
by Howard H. Kob, supervisor. (16 more needed for welding
classes.)
CIVILIAN AIR PATROL
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (1/22/1942)
"Organization of a Fort Collins civil air patrol was
launched here Thursday by two Denver officials of the
State Patrol who arrived by airplane and appointed Otis
T. Massey as squadron commander." Five divisions are
being formed in Colorado. The local patrol will be a
subdivision of the northern group with headquarters at
Sterling. The patrol's principal functions are to furnish
aid to the armed forces and to aid civilian defense
units. Patrols will scout for sabotage and aid ground
searchers in any emergency relating to defense."
FIRST COUNTY DRAFTEE RECALLED
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (1/23/1942)
"Chester D. Leonard, the first Larimer county man
inducted into the United States armed forces through
selective service, also the first returned to his home in
the county because of being past 28 years old, is
returning to the Army." He was on reserve
status--reserve forces recalled to service.
LOCAL WAR EFFORT
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (4/12/1942)
"War efforts" contributed to by Larimer County
in the spring of '42 included Navy Relief--to aid needy
families in the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard; United
China relief; United Service Organizations; and the usual
purchasing of war savings bonds and stamps. Farmers also
challenged to increase production for the nation, its'
fighting men and other needy nations.
PROFESSOR WORKED ON A-BOMB
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (8/12/1945)
"Dr. Philip G. Koontz, assistant professor of
physics at Colorado A & M college until he left on
leave in February, 1942, was one of the first 20
scientists working on the atomic bomb..." Worked for
a year in Chicago then transferred to New Mexico plant in
1943. Nearly 30 Fort Collins college men had some part in
the project.
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL FOR LOCAL MAN
Miller Collection - COLORADOAN
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER
"Tomorrow is 'Bob Maxwell Day' in Fort Collins.
Tech. Cpl. Robert D. Maxwell, former Bellvue timber
worker whose grandmother, Mrs. Lydia Maxwell, lives at
Cottage Grove, Ore., won the Congressional Medal by
falling on a German grenade to save the lives of four
comrades in an outpost near Besancon, France, Sept. 7,
1944.
V - J DAY CELEBRATION
COLORADOAN (8/15/1945)
Streets were jammed by pedestrians and motorists from 5
P.M. the day before (time of Japanese surrender
announcement) until late at night as Fort Collins
celebrated V - J day. "Few disruptions in law and
order occurred." City offices and businesses closed.
Thanksgiving to be given at Methodist Church.
ARMY PILOT TRAINING COURSE
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen
Mechanical Engineering Dept. program for training
aviation pilots.
AIR CORPS CLERICAL TRAINING PROGRAM
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen
There is also instruction for Army engineers and
veterinarians and about 1,500 men are on campus. Two
downtown hotels are leased for barracks, also Johnson
Hall and men's gym. Field House used as a dining hall.
BLACKOUT TESTING AND AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS
MUSEUM (KELLEY II) SCRAPBOOK
"Fort Collins will be notified of the blackout order
by the sounding of the 'wildcat' siren mounted by the
fire department. Warnings will be telephoned to other
centers of the county. Each individual and institution is
responsible for lights."
Motorists were to pull to the side of the street and
distinguish all lights. A test rehearsal was held on
Saturday (12/10/1942). On Monday night (12/12/1942) the
real regional blackout test.
"Council approves Rules for Air Raids." Rules
for the conduct of persons during air raid alerts:
1. Persons not in their homes or other places of shelter
when an air raid alert is sounded must go to the nearest
indoor shelter and remain there until an all clear signal
is given.
2. Automobile passengers must park their vehicles in
accordance with the city's air raid ordinance and proceed
to the nearest indoor shelter.
3. All persons are to remain in indoor shelter throughout
the raid period.
4. Parents are to be held responsible for children found
outside an indoor shelter during an air raid period.
WWII CASUALTIES, HEROES, DRAFT
MUSEUM FILES (4 FILES)--ONE CASUALTY FILE INCLUDING
"DEATH MARCH" DIARY
Also file on early casualties, including first Fort
Collins man killed in action--Bert Christman for whom
Christman field is named and Ben Schlect killed at Pearl
Harbor. (Fort Collins Express-Courier 2/22/1942)
MILITARY DRAFT - SPRING 1940
War relics: Draftee lists, photo of Laporte Avenue Vets'
Memorial, Card of "Greetings", ration cards,
etc.
FIRST WAR CORPORATION 1942
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (5/21/1944)
Northern Colorado Manufacturing Company - Fort Collin's
1st war corporation established October, 1942, leased
premises at Giddings Machine Shop, 401 Pine.
As of this date $6,500 payroll, $12,000 worth of war
production a month. Navy valves are its' sole business.
RATIONING
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER - Various Papers -
WAR YEARS
Rationing of gas and various foods a feature of Fort
Collins' life during WWII.
CPS CAMP
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (8/10/1942)
120 conscientious objectors were camped under supervision
at the Civilian Public Service camp near Poudre Canyon.
The men were involved with four public service jobs at
the time, including construction of five trails near
Cameron Pass, Buckeye soil conservation project, Seaman
Dam project, and soil conservation research range at
Briggsdale. Most of the men were members of the Mennonite
Church, others were Methodists, Pentecostals, and
Jehovah's Witnesses.
BALLOON BOMBS TIMNATH
CHOICE MAGAZINE (9/83) COLORADOAN
(9/7/1986)
Japanese Balloon Bombs fall on farm near Timnath.
SALVAGE
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (5/19/1944)
Larimer County school children, in salvage program
promoted by school district, praised for their salvage
work by soldiers of salvage company in Fort Collins area
for a week. Soldiers demolished Linden Street Bridge for
salvage. They collected paper and scrap metal.
WAR TOURISM
COLORADOAN (6/11/1942)
Vacation issue promoting Colorado/Larimer County as ideal
vacation spot for mentally preparing for war times ahead.
Recreational and scenic spots given. President Roosevelt
recommended a period of relaxation from work in summer.
WOMEN IN DEFENSE CLASSES
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (5/10/1942)
Women were included in all areas of defense training
classes except foundry work at this time in Fort Collins.
Other divisions include machine shop and sheet metal.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1947
Guard unit activated (1/19/1947 15/8)
HEALTH/MEDICINE
ANTI-RAT CAMPAIGN
COLORADOAN (4/26/1948)
Today city firemen, aided by two officials of the Fish
and Wildlife service and directed by Richard S. Baker of
the city manager's office, began the city's annual rat
extermination campaign as a preliminary to the local
observance of National Cleanup and Paint up week. The
anti-rat campaign which will be carried on for several
days, will be followed by an anti-fly campaign, involving
the spraying of alleys and other areas with DDT
insecticide. The twin campaigns have incidental
objectives of co-operation in national efforts for
conservation of food supplies and of eliminating
conditions possibly connected with infantile paralysis.
Red Squill poison was used at strategic spots for rats.
NO COST IMMUNIZATION
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (12/18/1941)
Fort Collins children are being offered free immunization
against diphtheria and smallpox. Many children have not
been immunized as parents could not afford it. This is
seen as being especially needed during wartime because of
increased worldwide travel.
POLIO OUTBREAK
COLORADOAN (8/21, 8/25, 9/4/1946)
Although not an epidemic in Larimer County, polio was a
big concern in summer of 1946. Classes were taught on the
Sister Kenny "hot pack" method of paralysis
treatment; several Fort Collins women volunteered to
assist in this emergency.
30 cases in Larimer County as of September 4th.
"...officials of the National Foundation for
Infantile Paralysis reported having cleared the way for
extending financial aid to the families of poliomyelitis
patients."
"...financial aid for hospital and medical care will
be extended from the chapter's $2,500 fund, accumulated
in past years through the annual March of Dimes
Campaigns."
Colorado's number of polio victims for 1946 at 593 is
more than double the previous high of 289 in 1943.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1946
Hospital limits patients through lack of nurses (4-1-1946
22/1)
CIVIL RIGHTS
DISCRIMINATION
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen
"With fresh memories of sacrifices made on behalf of
democracy, veterans led a protest against Fort Collins
merchants whose 'White Trade Only' storefront signs
discriminated against 'Spanish American patronage.'
VETERANS GROUP PROTEST "White Trade
Only" signs on downtown cafes, stores, etc.
TRANSPORTATION
TROLLEY GETS NATIONAL RECOGNITION
COLORADOAN (12/3/1947)
Dec.6 Saturday Evening Post article on street cars
includes Fort Collins "galloping goose" system.
In the article Peter Kocan wrote:
"For really fancy performances in the field of
transit, no place on earth can beat Fort Collins,
Colorado, smallest town in the U.S. to support a trolley
system. " Kocan called the three way switch at
Mountain and College an ingenious small town stunt. Every
20 minutes all three trolleys in use confront one another
in the town square just a few feet short of a collision.
At the proper moment the motormen exchange greetings and
drive ahead, just as a collision of catastrophic
proportion seems inevitable, the cars swerve and narrowly
pass one another on a "y" track in the town
square. Kocan pointed out that the Fort Collins system is
one of the few in the country which operates at a profit,
despite the lowest trolley fares in the country. The
fares had since been raised 25 cents to $ 1.25 for a
monthly pass.
AIRLINE SERVICE
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (6/18/1944)
"Commercial linking by air of Fort Collins with
Denver and seven other Colorado towns and cities will
become an actuality tomorrow as the Massey and Ranson
Flying Service Inc. inaugurates its Scenic Airline
service with a flight starting at 7:30 A. M. from the
base at Christman Field here. Many Fort Collins residents
are expected to be at the field tomorrow morning to
witness the inauguration of service with two
five-passenger planes under a recently granted
authorization from the Colorado Public Utilities
Commission."
AUTO CHECK
COLORADOAN (5/12/1946)
"Playing their role in the education of highway
traffic accidents, which this year have caused 5
fatalities in Larimer County and nearly 140 in Colorado
and many thousands in the U.S., Fort Collins police will
co-operate in a nation-wide police traffic safety check.
Beginning May 15, police officers throughout the U.S. and
Canada will check brakes, lights, tires, windshield
wipers, and horns of all automobiles involved in traffic
accidents or moving violations. The program is sponsored
by the International Association of Chiefs of
Police."
CHRISTMAN FIELD
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (12\27\1942)
Colorado State College airfield to be named after Allen
Bert Christman, CSU alumnus killed in combat over
Rangoon, Burma, while flying for "Flying
Tigers", an American volunteer group under Chinese
flag . He had already been enshrined by the Chinese.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1945
Bidders for operation of Christman Field to be
interviewed (12-12- 45 3/5)
1948
Tram fares 10 cents starting Jan. 1 (11-5-1948 40/8)
1949
Tramway shows new loss (4-11-1949 28/3)
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