The twentieth century began in Fort Collins with
developments which promised a bright economic future.
Noting the success of the Loveland sugar factory and how
it helped increase property values, local leaders took
steps to procure a plant for Fort Collins. Pledged
acreage for the factory site was secured on Vine Avenue
north of the Poudre River. The factory was completed in
1903 at a cost of 1.25 million dollars and began slicing
beets in January the following year. It had an immediate
impact on the town's economy and demographics. In its
first year it had a payroll three times as large as all
other manufacturing payrolls in the area combined.
Immigrant labor had been promised for beet growers.
German-Russian and Hispanic families filled the need. The
German-Russians were descendants of German immigrants to
Russia in the 18th century. Most had already been part of
communities in Nebraska and Kansas. Some of these
families lived in a new community called Buckingham
Place, located north of the river and within walking
distance of the factory. Hispanic families also lived in
Buckingham Place, which the city annexed in 1906.
Andersonville, (Peter Anderson's farm) another immigrant
community, was platted in 1903.
These communities had barely been established before the
worst flood in Fort Collins history, in terms of monetary
damage, struck the town in May, 1904. Many of the new
families had settled in the flood plain east of the
river. Several lost virtually everything they owned.
Elsewhere, whole fields of fruits and vegetables were
ruined. The sugar factory was surrounded by water. Fort
Collins citizens helped immigrant families recover with
donated goods.
As the fortunes of the sugar beet industry rose in the
region so did those of the sheep feeding industry.
Benefitting from cheap feed from sugar beet by-products
and from providing a local and abundant supply of manure
for plant food, feed lots became a profitable endeavor.
To advertise their ability to fatten lambs, the people of
Fort Collins held Lamb Day in 1909. Two hundred lambs
were slaughtered for the free barbecue which attracted
about ten thousand people, some of whom were brought in
from neighboring towns by train. The event was held in
the business district on Oak Street. Another such
celebration took place in 1910 after which local
merchants decided that such extraordinary publicity was
no longer needed for the profitable industry.
There were other indications of industrial growth.
Natural gas was beginning to benefit the region. In 1904
the Poudre Valley Gas Company was incorporated. A plant
was completed in March, 1905, and gas was channeled
through six miles of mains, providing consumers with a
new source of light and heat. In 1907 the discovery of a
major flow of natural gas in Soldier Canyon, west of Fort
Collins, led the Courier to speculate that if
sufficient sources of such inexpensive fuel could be
discovered and developed, manufacturers would likely be
quick to locate here.
Oil wells had been discovered and drilled several years
before. The oil business led directly to the successful
establishment of daily newspapers in Fort Collins. In
order to sell oil stock in the community the manager of
one of the wells wanted a daily paper as an advertising
medium. Thus, in 1902 the Courier began running a
daily. Both the Express and Courier had
tried unsuccessfully to publish dailies in the 1880s. The
new Evening Courier was able to survive albeit
without the support of the original patron, who only
contributed for a week or two and never paid for the
advertising. Increased merchant advertising, legal
printing, and the 1902 election provided enough support
to keep the daily going.
Another hopeful sign for local industry was a planned
Union Pacific Railroad track along Jefferson Street
between Fort Collins and Denver. In 1909 after some
debate between the city and the railroad over property
rights, an ordinance was passed granting the railroad
right-of-way with the stipulation that the railroad An
increase in local industry was expected to follow.
A railway of a different nature made Fort Collins
headlines in the 1900s. The Denver Interurban Railroad, a
subsidiary of Colorado and Southern, was granted a
franchise in 1906 by the city council. Subsequently the
company built a streetcar system. A ride from the end of
College to Grandview Cemetery cost five cents. Parties
could be held on a chartered car.
Trolley cars were not the only new means of
transportation to arrive in Fort Collins during the
decade. Many area residents became proud owners of
automobiles. A 1904 ordinance restricted automobiles to
speeds of twelve miles an hour on city streets and eight
miles an hour around corners.
Another fairly new invention the people of Fort Collins
were enjoying was moving pictures. The Orpheum Theatre, a
member of the national Orpheum circuit, opened in 1907 on
North College Avenue. Movies, however, were not always
available. Live performances were the major bill of fare
at the Orpheum.
The Northern Hotel (formerly the Commercial Hotel) was
located across the street from the Orpheum Theatre.
Remodeled in 1905, it was noted for its' size and
elegance. It contained eighty rooms, including suites,
and a large dining room highlighted by a dome of leaded
art glass in the ceiling. The hotel answered the
increased need for lodging during a period of rapid
growth in Fort Collins.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church was completed in 1901. This
striking building with its conical towers still stands at
Mountain and Howes. Another new church was built for the
German immigrants, who desired a German-speaking church.
Montezuma Fuller designed one for them which was built on
the southwest corner of Oak and Whedbee.
The development of hospital care in the town continued in
this decade when the Fort Collins Hospital Association,
organized by doctors in 1903, had a three-story,
twenty-seven room hospital built at 301 East Magnolia in
1906.
Perhaps the most celebrated structure built in the decade
was the public library, one of the many libraries across
the nation which Andrew Carnegie helped to establish. The
city received $12,500 from the
industrialist/philanthropist for the library upon the
condition that it would maintain it as a free public
library. It was completed in 1904 at a final cost of
about $15,000. The original building had a domed ceiling,
which was removed in 1932. Although remodeled in the late
1930's through the aid of the Works Progress
Administration, the former Carnegie Library is now the
Fort Collins Museum.
The buildings mentioned here highlight the construction
boom which took place during the decade. In 1901,
$142,725 was spent on building. That amount rose to
almost $1 million in 1907. The building boom paralleled
the town's population growth. The number of Fort Collins
citizens increased from just over 3,000 in 1900 to about
12,000 in 1908.
Improvements were also planned for recreational
facilities. In 1907 a petition from over ten percent of
the town's population was presented to the city council.
The petition requested purchase of grounds for a city
park. A bond issue was authorized and the city purchased
60 acres of John Sheldon's farm on the west side of town.
The grounds were surveyed in 1909.
Recreational and educational diversions available to Fort
Collins citizens included baseball and Chautauquas. Fort
Collins had amateur baseball teams since the 1870s. In
1909 a professional team was organized. In spite of some
financial problems, the team finished with a 50-6 record
and was named the state champion by the Denver News.
Chautauquas were the name given to summer traveling tours
which brought educational and entertaining activities to
America's small towns. They originated in Chautauqua, New
York. Lectures, plays and music informed and entertained
Fort Collins residents many times through these tours in
the early part of the century. William Jennings Bryan, a
regular lecturer on the tour, visited Fort Collins on
several occasions.
Hatchet-wielding Carrie Nation was another celebrity to
visit Fort Collins in the decade. In August, 1906, she
gave her speech "How I Smashed, Why I Smashed and
How You May Smash" at the opera house. A packed
crowd heard the anti-liquor lecture. The Fort Collins
Express noted a majority of the people were
sympathetic to her cause, but many questioned her
methods.
In 1909 Dr. Charles A. Lory became the agricultural
college's fifth president. He would not retire until
1940, easily making him the school's longest tenured
president to date.
BUSINESS/INDUSTRY
LOVELAND INDUSTRIES
LOVELAND-BIG THOMPSON (page 29)
1901
Great Western Sugar Factory built, 1901, cost $1 million
Empson Canning Factory, 1907.
Buckhorn Plaster Mill (gypsum) built in early 1880's by
Alfred Wild.
Electric Lighting system, 1901.
Sewer system, 1903.
First flour mill set up in Old St. Louis by Andrew Douty
in 1867, cost $10,000, ground 75 bushels daily.
Business section paved in 1922, and every street oiled in
1936-37.
Memorial auditorium-City Hall built as WPA project in
1937.
CINEMA
COLORADOAN (4/15/1984, page 15)
"In Fort Collins, movies were mixed with live
entertainment in the early days of cinema..."
"Moving pictures were part of the bill of fare at
the Orpheum Theater (part of the National Orpheum
Circuit), which opened in 1907. But the theater was noted
more for such touring 'legitimate' theater productions as
opening night's 'Squaw Man' and a few months later, 'The
Chimes of Normandy'."
"Movies were also shown in the Opera House, which
took the name of the Majestic Theater in the early
1900s." - Became dance hall in 1917.
NATURAL RESOURCES
TRIANGLE REVIEW (4/16/1980), FORT COLLINS
EXPRESS-COURIER (10/8/1939), COLORADOAN
(10/22/1965)
Oil wells being drilled at several locations around Fort
Collins in spring of 1902. Manager of one of the wells
wanted to sell oil stock in community--wanted daily paper
as advertising medium. Carl Anderson was manager and
principal owner at the time. He arranged to begin the
daily secretly--didn't want competition to know of plans.
Only paid advertisement was by Cache la Poudre Oil
Company. Original patron only contributed for a week or
two and never paid for advertising received.
"Fortunately that year was election year and with
the merchants gradually increasing their advertising,
together with the legal printing, the daily
survived."
First daily to survive--Express and Courier
had tried dailies in 1880s but "found the field too
narrow" for two dailies.
NATURAL GAS DISCOVERED
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (8/28/1907)
"Discovery of a flow of natural gas three miles west
of town on the Soldier Canyon road, at 4 o'clock
yesterday afternoon may mean the beginning of a new era
of commercial development for Fort Collins and vicinity.
The strike was made on the farm of Leslie Horsley, who
but recently purchased the place."
"This is not the first indication of natural gas
around Fort Collins, but former discoveries did not show
as strong a flow as this well. If the Fort Collins field
should develop anything near the flow that is found in
the Kansas and Oklahoma gas country, it would mean cheap
fuel that would bring manufacturing concerns here from
all sections in every line for which the raw material can
be produced in this section."
GAS COMPANY
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous (page 254)
1904-1905
Poudre Valley Gas Company incorporated in 1904. Plant
began operation in March, 1905, for "illuminating
and heating."
COAL SHORTAGES
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (11/25/1903)
1903
Strike caused shortages of coal in Fort Collins. Dealers
had none to sell. Cold snap would bring suffering. No
hope of getting CO coal until strike ends. Dealers trying
to get out-of-state coal.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1908
Coal hurt (2.5.1.1)
NEWSPAPERS-FORT COLLINS
MUSEUM (RED) SCRAPBOOK, page 158-159 for Carl
Anderson article.
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous
AGRICULTURE
PURE FOOD
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (4/14/1909, page 1)
C.R. Coulter, representative of State Board of Health was
of the opinion that Fort Collins had purest food in state
and commended work of Dr. George H. Glover, Pure Food
Commissioner. Sanitary conditions of stores received
praise.
SUGAR BEET INDUSTRY
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous (page 252-54)
1903
Sugar beet factory had been considered since 1888
"...when it was demonstrated by experiments at the
State Agricultural College that sugar beets, carrying a
high percentage of saccharine matter could be
successfully and profitably grown in Larimer
county."
"Concerted movement" started in 1891 and
"...a representative of the Oxnard interests
provided that if the farmers would engage to grow 5,000
acres of beets he would see that a factory was
built." There was no mention of subsidy; yet when
acreage was pledged, Oxnard wanted $150,000, site for
factory, and use of free water. They were refused.
Loveland got factory in 1901. Its' success and use of
property values spurred Fort Collins people to get one
for own town. Pledged acreage again secured and James B.
Arthur and Peter Anderson went east to check factories in
Michigan and talk with the Kilby Company of Cleveland,
Ohio, builders of Loveland's plant. Closed contract for
construction in January, 1902. Building complete in 1903,
began to operate January, 1904. Details of capitalization
and officers given. Cost $1.25 million.
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson (page 49-54)
Loveland ahead of Fort Collins in getting factory built.
- 1901
Local farmers raise beets for Loveland factory - photo
"In July of 1902, wagon loads of German-Russians
were brought up from Loveland to work in the fields. The
fall crop of beets was sent by wagon, then train to
Loveland."
COLORADOAN (9/26/1982)
Fort Collins plant in first year, 1905, had payroll
three times as large as all other manufacturing payrolls
in area combined. Immigrants found beet work the pathway
to owning land.
DENVER POST
1903
Sugar Company stockholders (1.2.3.14.2)
SUGAR FACTORY
SCD "In Old Wyoming" (page 329)
April 1902
Several leading Fort Collins businessmen formed a company
with the idea of building a sugar factory. The men were
James B. Arthur, Peter Anderson, B.F. Hottel, James A.
Brown, C.R. Welch, and F.M. Shaw.
An agent for the "sugar trust" (American Sugar
Refining Co.) was alleged to have incorporated the F.C.
Sugar Refining Co. to have tried to outbid the local
farmers on the price for a factory. The Courier
commented that "it looks now as if the trust would
not hesitate to resort to any means that means so much to
Colorado." It advises local farmers to get as much
money as possible for anything sold to the "sugar
trust." The "sugar trust" was accused of
seeking the repeal of the tariff on raw (cane) sugar, in
an attempt to prevent the rise of the beet sugar industry
in Colorado and other western states.
SHEEP FEEDING INDUSTRY
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 166)
1905
State Senator William A. Drake among first feeders.
Drake's influence in establishing A&M Experiment
Station - 1905 state financing. His farm included present
site of Ghent Ford Agency at College and Drake Road.
"After a successful venture involving irrigated
farming, he (Drake) become an early investor in the lamb
fattening industry which prospered in northeastern
Colorado, especially after 1890. The key to this
prosperity was the use of the feed lot as an alternative
to open range grazing. The availability of cheap feed in
the form of alfalfa, and later sugar beet tops and pulp,
along with the residual benefit of a accessible manure
for plant food, made stock feeding a practical and
efficient undertaking. Although pursued as early as 1870,
this industry did not achieve significant proportions
until the 1890s when sugar raising and refining emerged
as one of the most prosperous aspects of Colorado's
agricultural economy."
Growth related to Experiment Station research on alfalfa
and sugar beets.
SEE "Sheep Feeding Industry" FORT COLLINS
YESTERDAYS-Swanson, 1900s
SUGAR BEET ARGUMENTS
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (12/2/1903, 12/9/1903,
12/30/1903, page 1)
1903
Arguments among growers on difficulty of raising beets
and whether or not they are profit makers. Higher beet
prices needed. New contract with factory voted down.
EMPIRE GRANGE
COLORADOAN (3/28/1983)
Grange officially called "Patrons of
Husbandry"-started in the United States in 1867.
Name came from "Granges"--estates which
belonged to English feudal lords. "Considered the
oldest farm organization in the United States, the Grange
served as catalyst to improve the lives of farmers. It
also brought farm families together for social
functions." "The organization was the force
behind rural free delivery mail service, establishment of
land grant colleges and electrical and telephone service
to rural areas."
Empire Grange organized in April, 1904, had 13 members.
Construction began in winter, 1911 on Grange hall on West
Mulberry (still standing). "According to
organization records, the basement was dug out of the
frozen ground. Bricks left over from the construction of
the Fort Collins Sugar factory in 1903 were used to build
the hall." Robert Maxwell, Grange member, donated
the land. Finished in 1912.
Still meets twice/month--10-20 of 50 members usually
attend. 1983 average age 40-50--not many young people.
More on meetings, passwords given.
TENNEY-DAVY PROJECT
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (2/26/1908)
"Favorable action was taken by the Chamber of
Commerce at noon today on the report of the irrigation
committee covering the Tenney-Davy project, which if
carried out will develop the entire northeastern section
of the county, now lying idle for lack of water. It means
millions for Fort Collins and thousands of new settlers
for the county."
LARAMIE AND POUDRE RESERVOIRS & IRRIGATION
CO.
MUSEUM FILES (?)
See D.A. Camfield-AW 346
A.A. Edwards-AW 381
Wellington Hibbard-AW 379-survey 1904
Also called "Laramie River Feeder Ditch"-AW
158-57-58. Involved with bringing water from Laramie
River through tunnel to Larimer County Ditch.
KANSAS VS. COLORADO WATER LAWSUIT
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 163, 315)
1907
1922-Colorado River Compact-page 315
1934-First studies of Colorado-Big Thompson Project-page
315
IMMIGRANT LABOR
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson, (page 60-64)
1903
"In the flurry of excitement over the new sugar beet
factory, the leaders considered the labor problem a minor
one. They promised anyone who raised twenty acres or more
of sugar beets 'all the Russian help needed and only
furnish water and shelter.'"
"The farmers had a lot to learn about the beet
culture. They were used to grain and hay crops. There was
much to learn about handling people too, for bringing in
help was not all that simple. Transient labor, usually
men without families, was one traditional source of
workers often used to get big programs under way."
Swedish immigrants used for quarries-1880s.
Japanese for help on irrigation ditches and beet fields.
"Most of the German-Russian and the Spanish-speaking
people attracted to the beet fields, however, brought
families. Though company officials anticipated the
German-Russians would fill the need, there were
Spanish-Americans in the beet fields around Fort Collins
along with the German-Russians in the early 1900s."
"Fort Collins residents had watched the Russians
settle in and because of them felt more interest in the
politics of the Russian-Japanese war."-Likewise with
Spanish-Americans and Mexican civil war later-around
1910.
NEW WATERWORKS
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous (page 254)
1903
By 1902-03 demand for water for domestic use greater than
supply. Also sewage contamination and impurities during
flood period were concerns.
1903-"...the people voted to issue municipal bonds
of the city to the amount of $150,000, the proceeds of
the sales of which to be used in the extension and
enlargement of the city's water system." Bonds were
sold and contract let to Holmes & Allen of Denver.
Gravity system which would provide 4 million gallons of
water every 24 hours. To solve the problem of impurities,
"... the city, in 1909, installed near the head
works a mechanical filter of sufficient capacity to
cleanse and purify all the water the system could
carry."
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (8/26/1903, page 1)
Bonds finally sold by City Council, making way clear for
construction--Sweet & Co. bond brokers of Denver
disposed of $150,000 worth. Holmes & Allen Pipe and
Construction Co. will build.
"The works will consist of the extension of the
supply main of the city system of water works from their
present location at the pump house near Laporte up into
the Poudre Canyon at a point just above the mouth of the
North Fork. This will not only afford a purer but a more
reliable supply of water for the city."
Above populated area of North Fork Valley, no need for
pump, gravity will serve. Thirteen miles of wood stove
pipe to be laid.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1903
Two big water deals announced (no reference numbers)
1905
State Board of Agriculture in session (6.7.1.6)
Firebugs at work (6.14.10.3)
Agricultural College plan for big endowment (6.24.7.2)
PEOPLE
MADAME LAFITTE
FORT COLLINS EVENING COURIER (Miller collection,
page 258)
February 1904
"Madame Lafitte, who is not entirely unknown to
local fame, received a polite invitation from Marshal
Place on Thursday to appear in Police Magistrate Cooper's
apartments in the city hall to answer a charge of
violating the excise laws of the city by selling booze
without a license. The madam took a change of venue and
her case was being heard this afternoon in Justice Gunn's
court."
GERMANS FROM RUSSIA
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson (page 54-57, 60)
"The German-Russians had come from the Volga and the
Black Sea area of Russia, some directly from Europe, but
most after a stop-over in Nebraska or Kansas. Their
ancestors had been German immigrants to Russia in the
eighteenth century, invited by the Czarina Catherine, who
was German herself, to settle there."
They were of mixed religious background. "Those of
one religion clustered together in one village in Russia
and many moved in groups forming new towns in Nebraska
predominantly of one religion. This solidarity was
completely lost when they filtered into the Fort Collins
area."
"The church was so important in the lives of the
immigrants that having one where German was spoken was
essential. By June, 1904, the Fort Collins architect,
Montezuma Fuller, was receiving bids for the construction
of the German Congregational Church on the southwest
corner of Whedbee and Oak."
"The sincere determination of the German-Russians to
become Americans by building this beautiful church so
soon after their arrival when their homes were barely
established must have impressed other congregations. It
was certainly a help in time of war when anti-German
sentiment flared up."
"Some of the homes for the German-Russian immigrants
were shacks on particular farms to which they were
assigned. Others lived in new houses built north of the
river in the flood plain at Buckingham Place. This
location was within walking distance of the factory and
many fields. In December, 1902, there were thirteen
little box houses, twenty by twelve, each with four
little windows, going up at Buckingham. There were sheds
for horses and cows. 'The houses while small seem
comfortable and new ones are being built daily.'"
page 60
"The first two decades after arrival were tough ones
for the new families (see "Poudre River Flood,
" 1900s) but the speed with which the thrifty
farmers became prosperous landowners amazed the pioneers
of the earlier period. They soon enjoyed the little
niceties available in the town. The grandmothers loved to
tell stories of the hard life in Russia. Gradually a deep
interest in old country genealogy and geography taught
children and grandchildren much about the Volga
area."
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson (page 62)
"Homes were clustered about the land east and south
of the factory. Spanish names were scattered among the
German ones in Buckingham Place, which was annexed to the
city in 1906.
"Andersonville on Peter Anderson's farm was plotted
outside the city in 1903."
LIBRARIANS
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 230-231)
1901-1904
Joseph F. Daniels librarian in 1901.
Charlotte A. Baker assistant in 1904, librarian 1910.
BUFFALO BILL'S SHOW
MUSEUM (GREEN) SCRAPBOOK (page 97-104)
1910-Buffalo Bill in first of farewell appearances, see
Bill Hornby story in File D.
1917-January, Buffalo Bill dies-File D (picture page).
LADY MOON
MUSEUM (BLACK) SCRAPBOOK (File A "Sir Cecil
sues", page 184)
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous
MUSEUM FILE A
1909
Photos and relics in museum.
DENVER POST
1905
Lady Moon accuses cattle owners (10.4.2.3)
GOVERNMENT/CITY DEVELOPMENT
CITY DEVELOPMENT
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson (page 240, 254)
Actions:
"The automobile changed traffic styles in the early
1900s. Dr. Peter McHugh signed an ordinance in 1904
permitting cars to drive twelve miles an hour on city
streets, and eight miles an hour around corners."
1906-granted franchise for streetcar
Mayors:
1895-1902 Frederick R. Baker
1903-1904 Dr. P.J. McHugh
1905-1908 Sam H. Clammer
1909-1910 Myron H. Akin
NORTHERN HOTEL
MUSEUM (VOGUE) SCRAPBOOK (page 201)
1905
"One of the major features of the Northern Hotel
when it opened in 1905, was the tinted glass dome that
arched 20 feet across the center of the main dining room
ceiling.
Ace Gillette, 1220 Green Street, operated the hotel at
170 North College Avenue from 1940 to 1967. He was
responsible for covering up the dome with a false
ceiling. He quotes, "We covered it up because people
sitting on the north side of the dining room could hear
everything the people on the south side of the room were
saying."
In 1971, William Brantmeyer and William Stark, owners of
the hotel, didn't even know about the dome until some
workmen happened to uncover it. The glass vault is fully
uncovered and Brantmeyers said he intends to keep it as a
part of the remodeled hotel.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (2/2/1902 in Library
files-"Catholic")
Church built in 1901--corner of Howes & Mountain.
Catholics had been worshipping in remodeled school house
after Remington School was built.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
TRIANGLE REVIEW (1/21/1979 page 15 in Library
files-Chamber of Commerce)
"When the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce was
started in September 1904, the matters of street
improvement, tourist trade and support of farming were on
the work schedule. A local newspaper article endorsed the
founding of such an organization by saying, 'We are now
emerging from a country cross-roads town into a good
city. Our public interests are becoming more varied and
of greater importance and must have a public business
organization to look after them, otherwise we must
retrograde.'"
"The original Chamber had 200 charter members, and
A.W. Scott was the first president. The early members of
the Chamber worked for the establishment of Rocky
Mountain National Park and the completion of the Poudre
River Road. They also worked to strengthen the finances
of the small agricultural college in town and supported
street lights and street paving in those early
days."
PAVING ORDINANCE
FORT COLLINS EVENING COURIER (11/28/1905 page 1)
1905
An ordinance prescribing and establishing Paving District
No. 1 and provides for the construction of paving
therein. The ordinance establishes so much of College
Ave. as lies between Mountain Ave. on the south and
Laporte Ave. on the north. "No protests against the
paving proposition were presented and the action of the
council in ordering the publication was unanimous."
POST OFFICE CARRIER SYSTEM
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous (page 252)
1901
Began with three carriers. Receipts of over $10,000/annum
allowed carrier delivery system.
CITY GROWTH
FORT COLLINS COURIER (1/15/1908 page 14)
Population rose from 3,054 in 1900 to about 12,000 in
1908. Amount spent on building rose from $142,725 in 1901
to almost $1 million in 1907.
SPITTING PROBLEM
TRIANGLE REVIEW (11/7/1979 page 4A)
1905
Ladies concerned about spitting and remarks at College
and Mountain petitioned city. Other early petitions given
1890s-1920s.
ORDINANCE AGAINST HYPNOTISM
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson (page 243)
1900
Ordinance against mesmerism and hypnotism passed--result
of Wilima James' work in 1885 in psychology at Harvard
with a medium.
FORT COLLINS STAYS DRY
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (4/7/1909 page 1)
Anti-license party gains big victory in town elections
over Independent Reform party.
TEMPERANCE
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (9/10/1908)
Temperance an issue in county elections 1908--Temperance
supporters controlled election.
LIQUOR IN DRUGSTORES
FORT COLLINS COURIER (10/30/1907)
1907
F.P Stover fined $150 for selling liquor in drug store.
Question as to whether liquor was sold for medical
purposes-10/9, page 9-related story-druggist sent to
jail.
11/13-Doctors opposed to ordinance which requires
physicians to state ailment for which prescription is
required (to make sure liquor sales justified).
11/20, page 3-Members of youth societies opposed to
ordinance which allows more freedom in sale of liquor at
drugstores.
11/20, page 9-Liquor selling fee for druggists set at
$500/annum.
11/27, page 9-Major Clammer vetoed ordinance allowing
liquor license to druggists.
WELLINGTON FOUNDED
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous (page 210)
1902
In Boxelder farming district. Inhabitants mostly from
Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa.
Colo. and Southern RR extended track from FC to
Wellington and on to Waverly. Was important shipping
point.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1903
Three wounded in gun fight (1.9.8.8)
Prominent citizens shot (5.2.1.1.1)
Richarts exonerated (5.14.1.3)
Charges against Larimer Commissioners (5.16.8.5)
Chas. K. Aushan believed to have been murdered (5.22.2.3)
1905
Marshal Wm. Richart to be tried for murder (5.29.66)
Vixen nearly blinds sheriff with vitriol (6.4.1.4)
Donald McLean bound over for assault (6.18.5.1)
1906
Hedgepath finds caller in closet (10.26.2.8)
Mrs. James M. Miller gets divorce (8.16.2.2)
1907
Joints raided (7-11-8.2)
License fight (12-29-4.4)
1908
Aldermen held for trial (1.12.3.3)
15 killed in explosion (10.15.1.2)
1909
Officials of Chamber of Commerce resign (Nov 11, 1909
2.7)
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (page 1)
1909
The Colorado School of Agriculture, a school for eighth
grade graduates, conducted by the Colorado Agricultural
College of Fort Collins opened.
"This school was established to meet the needs of
the boys and girls of Colorado who cannot pursue an
education further than high school. Agriculture, mechanic
arts, and domestic science are taught with special
attention to the practical or vocational side of these
subjects. Three years are required to graduate and the
term lasts for only 6 months. Military training forms a
part of the work at the school, and this is attracting
many young men. "
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE SET UP
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 239, 145)
1909
High schools scarce then, CSA established to provide
country kids special training in agriculture and basic
subjects. School closed in 1927.
PRESIDENT AYLESWORTH RESIGNS
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 185)
1909
Aylesworth had difficult time with Board of Agriculture,
due to differences of opinion as to narrow vs. broad
gauge theory of education policy. A.A. Edwards of board
presented resolution asking for resignation--see
autobiography of Edwards in Museum/library file.
FIRST COLLEGE BAND
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 145)
1901
Organized by Prof. Charles R. Jones, bandmaster for many
years. CAC music department formed, 1905.
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 171)
April, 1907
Degree program set up, influenced by Charles A. Lory,
later president.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT OK'D
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 146)
1905
Conservatory of music organized by Prof. Alexander
Emslie, 1907.
DR. GEORGE GLOVER, FIRST INSTRUCTOR IN VETERINARY
MEDICINE
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 149, 152)
1907
Established veterinary department. Full veterinary
curriculum set up 1907-08.
Dr. Glover. Fort Collins Pure Food Ordinance (page 151)
DEPARTMENT OF FARMERS INSTITUTES
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 161)
December, 1907
Established by Board of Agriculture. Forerunner of
Extension Service, Boys' and Girls' Clubs started in
conjunction.
BURTON O. LONGYEAR, LECTURER IN FORESTRY
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 164)
August 1904, 1910
Result of agitation for conservation and protection of
mountain watersheds. Botany and Forestry Department
established by Longyear. Forestry Department established,
1910.
LORY MADE PRESIDENT OF COLORADO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (6/9/1909 page 1)
Charles A. Lory chosen by State Board of Agriculture to
succeed Barton O. Aylesworth as president of Colorado
Agricultural College. Unanimous choice of board.
"Announcement of his selection was hailed with great
satisfaction on all sides, and especially among the
student body and members of the college faculty. He is
one of the most popular professors in the institution and
he will be given the strongest support of everyone
connected with the institution."
COLLEGE STRUGGLES
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (pages 179-81, 187-88)
Autonomy and institutional purpose are issues. Chamber of
Commerce and CAC students instrumental in the defeat of
legislation to combine authority of Colorado higher ed.
under CU regents.
AGRONOMY FARM (EXPERIMENT STATION)
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 168)
1904
College bought 40 acres SE of intersection of Elizabeth
and Stover from Charles Andrews. Built large stone house
near intersection as residence for superintendent.
CHARLES LORY
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (4/28/1940)
1905-professor of physics at Agricultural College
1907-Professor of physics and electrical engineering
1909-President of CAC
Leader in field of education throughout career. President
of American Association of Land Grant College and
Universities in 1919 and member of its executive
committee 1926-40 (date of Paper). President of Colorado
Conference of Social Workers 1923. President of Colorado
Education Association 1925. President of Association of
Western Agricultural Colleges.
CHARLES A. LORY - FIFTH PRESIDENT
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 190)
1909
Lory physics professor, August 1905. Served to 1940.
COLORADO SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AT CSU
"AGRICULTURE IN COLORADO" in Colorado-Sentinel
(10/5/1909 page 625)
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous
1909-July-MPRR purchases order (page 256)
1910-CSS Ryling to Wellington (page 256)
1909-City water filters (page 254)
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1905
College students ridden on rail (5.30.5.6)
CIVIC
YMCA
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous (page 255)
1906-08
1906 campaign to obtain subscriptions to found building.
$65,000 pledged. Eventually cost $90,000 to build and
furnish. Structure completed February, 1908.
First public assembly there--address by Geo. B. Hodge.
Int'l Secretary of the Educational Dept. of YMCA week.
YMCA BUILDING ERECTED
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1906
Nucleus of present Elks Club at Remington and Oak. Worked
on by Montezuma Fuller & Arthur Garbutt.
YMCA
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (4/15/1908 page 9)
Set records for raising money in small cities. Money
raised to furnish building. Raised $59,000 in first
campaign, $30,000 in second campaign.
FIRST FORT COLLINS HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING
1906
Construction date on building, 1906. Building at Meldrum
& West Mulberry, later Lincoln Junior High School.
Superseded by present Fort Collins High School at 1300
(?) Remington Street in 1925.
A.H. Dunn appointed superintendent 1913-1915 (?)
TWO FORT COLLINS SCHOOLS
MEMORY OF DEW
1907
Laporte Avenue and Laurel schools opened.
NEW HIGH SCHOOL
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (9/20/1903)
New high school on South Meldrum between Mulberry and
Magnolia opens--though all details of construction not
complete. $35,000 building. Paid for by bond issue.
CITY PARK CREATED
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous (page 255)
1907-City Park (pages 255-359)
60 acres purchased for public park. "It is the
purpose of the Park Commission, as soon as available
funds can be obtained, to make a veritable beauty spot
and breathing place of this park."
CITY PARK CREATED
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (4/28/1935 page 9-A)
1907
1907 Petition for over 10% of population presented to
city council requesting purchase of grounds, covered by
bonds for city park. Voters authorized purchase and bond
issue.
1909-Grounds surveyed and improvements planned. Later
history of park given.
CHAUTAUQUA
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (6/23/1909 page 9)
William Jennings Bryan opened Chautauqua at College
Chapel denouncing "lust for gain" as the root
of evil in the world. Theme--selling soul for wealth and
prestige. Bryan also spoke against an increased Navy
saying that our nation's foundation should be based on
moral power, not physical. A "silent and
enthusiastic" crowd heard the famed orator.
Businesses closed for event.
CARNEGIE LIBRARY
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson (page 195-200)
Complete history of library given. Photos.
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous (pages 252-254)
1903.
"Through the efforts of Mrs. D.A. McLean and other
citizens, Andrew Carnegie, the well known steel
manufacturer and philanthropist, donated $12,500 towards
the cost of a suitable library building, conditioned that
the city should support and maintain a free public
library, which the city authorities agreed to do."
Completed 1904. Cost about $15,000 to build and furnish.
DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution)
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (8/4/1937, page 9)
1908
Organized 4/18/1908
Objectives: "To promote the development of an
enlightened public opinion; to foster patriotic
citizenship; to aid the youth of our nation; to promote
the observance of Constitutional sesquicentennial."
PIONEER SOCIETY
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (8/4/1937, page 5)
1906
Organized 12/29/1906
Objective: "To keep alive the traditions and
experiences of the early settlers of the Cache la Poudre
Valley."
AAUW
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (8/4/1937, page 3)
1902
American Association of University Women founded in 1902.
Founded as "Association of Collegiate Alumnae,"
in 1902 became affiliated with AAUW.
Objective: "An organization devoted to improving
women's education both in college and after graduation,
emphasizing international relations, legislation, library
extension, and fellowships for women."
ELKS
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (May, 1923, page 8)
Anniversary issue-Early Colorado and Fort Collins History
section, Volume 50, Number 16
Off shoot of Boulder lodge. Installation proceedings
begun in July, 1902. Site selected and building erected
in 1903. Officers for temporary organization: John A.
Cross, Exalted Ruler; A.M. Hawley, ledg; N.C. Alford, Geo
W. Bailey, and Frank J. Annis, Board of Trustees.
LARIMER COUNTY HISTORY SCRAPBOOK-1930s
First meeting place was in Ault's hall above Lowell-Moore
Hardware store. Later (1930s) bought YMCA building to
use.
BASEBALL TEAM
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (5/5/1909)
Fort Collins trying to put together professional baseball
team. Express urged people and firms to take stock
in company. "Aside from the glory of being
represented on the diamond, Fort Collins would get some
advertising that will reach every section of the
Centennial State. This in itself should be an incentive
to boost the thing along, even if a person wasn't an
enthusiastic fan."
"Fort Collins is in danger of losing its baseball
team, the thing that has done more to advertise the city
than anything else for a long time. There is danger of
the team being called off the diamond at almost any time
now, for lack of sufficient funds to support it."
Team had been having a very successful season and was
picked by Denver writer as favorite for state title.
(8/11/09)
11/24/09,page 6. Finished with 50-6 record. Named state
champion by Denver News. (11/24/09, page 6)
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1906
Fight in women's club (10.11.2.1)
1909
County Fair (4.4)
To roast 300 lambs. (Sept 24, 1909 1.2.1)
State officials invited (Sept 26, 1909 5.1.)
Fat man's race a feature (Sept 27, 1909 9.3)
Big Parade (Sept 28, 1909 4.4)
Barbeque (sic) (Sept 30, 1909 6.2)
NATURAL PHENOMENA
ESTES PARK EARTHQUAKE
MILLER COLLECTION-COLORADOAN (Book 1, page 198)
1903
Violent shock felt most severely at places nearest the
range. Heaviest at Two-Bar Y ranch, Skrogies, and Long's
Peak Inn. Duration 5 to 10 seconds. Preceded by deep
rumbling sound. Followed by rattling sounds, lasting
several seconds. People awakened at five minutes before 1
a.m. throughout park. On several ranches, cattle
stampeded. Geologists say formation of distinctively
volcanic origin from north of Fall River to North Fork of
Poudre 35 miles north which include at least 12 extinct
volcanoes. This article gives the complete article from
1903 newspaper.
POUDRE RIVER FLOOD
MUSEUM (BLACK) SCRAPBOOK (page 103)
FORT COLLINS COURIER (May 21, 1924)
1904
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1903
Floods (10.16.2.3)
HEALTH/MEDICINE
DOCTORS' HOSPITAL
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson (page 161)
Dr. Kirkland's fame grew--studied in Vienna in 1907 and
1919. Doctors' offices scattered about business
buildings. "Magnetic healing was advertised on the
window of the Trimble block in 1903."
"An association formed in 1903 succeeded in building
a substantial brick structure on the southwest corner of
Magnolia and Mathews in 1906."
CITY HOSPITAL
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous (page 255)
1906
See biography of Dr. P.J. McHugh.
"The Fort Collins Hospital Association, organized in
1903 erected a large and well furnished building in 1906,
at the corner of Mathews and Magnolia streets, thus
supplying the city with a growing and very important
need."
Fort Collins Yesterdays-Swanson (See
"Doctors/Hospital")
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1908
Spotted fever (2.24.5.5)
TRANSPORTATION
INTERURBAN RAILWAY
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous (page 255)
1906
"In the fall of 1906 the City Council of the City of
Fort Collins granted a franchise to the Denver Interurban
Railway Company which gave the company the right to
construct and operate a system of electric railways along
the certain specified streets and avenues of the
city."
Began operation in December of 1907
Extent of track "...College Avenue from Jefferson
Street to Pitkin Street; Pitkin Street from College
Avenue to Remington Street; Remington Street from Pitkin
to Elizabeth and thence along the last named street to
College Avenue; Mountain Avenue to Grandview Cemetery;
Jefferson from College Avenue to a connection with the
Mountain Avenue line at Peterson Street; Linden Street to
Jefferson Street. In 1908 the company extended its Linden
Street line on past the sugar factory to Lindenmeier
Lake, and in 1909 placed cars in operation on Peterson,
East Magnolia and Whedbee Streets to Elizabeth Street.
The company gives a twenty minute service on all these
lines and the people of Fort Collins find the street cars
of great convenience. The tracks and equipment are
first-class in all aspects and the system is well
managed."
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS, Swanson (page 214)
"Fort Collins was essentially a 'walking city' in
the early 1900s and had no need for mass transit."
In the thirty years since San Francisco's cable car
system began in 1872 streetcars underwent a number of
improvements. At the turn of the century "streetcars
were the mark of a successful city."
"The Colorado and Southern Railroad regarded the
field of local transportation in towns served by its
steam lines as an area for expansion. The Denver and
Interurban Railroad, a subsidiary of the Colorado and
Southern, was developed as part of a unified
transportation system. When this company applied to the
city council for a franchise in 1906, few people had
automobiles and some never bought them, becoming instead
devoted customers of the new trolley."
"The decision to allow the company to come in was
momentous. August Rohling, Peter Anderson, Fred Stover,
Thomas Quinn, and F.N.B. Scott favored it and swung the
vote. Among the dissenting voters on council were Chris
Phillpi, harness maker, and A.A. Edwards, irrigation
expert."
"The company built a car barn and power house on
Howes and Cherry in July, 1907. In December the paper
praised the Denver and Interurban for employing only
local men, adding twenty substantial citizens, owning
their own homes and rearing families in Fort Collins. By
January 1, 1908, the inauguration was reported as having
gone without a hitch. One trolley party had been held.
Cars could be chartered at low rates and decorated for
the purpose."
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1907
Has electric line (12-27-4.1)
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (2/3, 2/10, 5/5, 6/16, 6/23,
6/30)
1909
"Fort Collins looked forward to Union Pacific
Railroad coming through town. Increase in industry
expected."
Fort Collins Packing Company sold to local interests,
backed by Denver Company, which wanted to increase size
of plant and make it a principal livestock center of the
West."
UNION PACIFIC ORDINANCE
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS (8/25/1909, page 8, see also
8/11 and 8/18)
Union Pacific ordinance finally passed after some debate
during previous weeks. Right of way goes to Union Pacific
with stipulation that Railroad be in operation within
three years or vacated streets and alleys will return to
city--also no tracks to be laid on 30 foot strip vacated
on Jefferson Street.
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