The need for reform in Fort Collins' city government
had been a local topic since the late 1940s. Voter
reluctance to change the structure of the local
government led city officials to take steps to gradually
move the city toward a more efficient system by using
special powers, as with the placement of Guy Palmes as
city manager in 1949. This movement led to the need to
revise the city charter to reflect the actual system of
government. To this end the local chapter of the National
League of Women Voters, formed in 1951, supported an
analysis of the government, an updated charter, and voter
education to convince the public. The effort was rewarded
when, on October 5, 1954, a new city charter was adopted
by special election.
Under the council-manager form of government, the City
Manager is given administration of the city. He is hired
and fired by the city council, He attends council
meetings, but has no vote. The mayor in this form of
government is chosen by the council. He does not have the
discretionary powers a mayor in the council-mayor form
has. Authority for decision making resides in the
council.
The charter also expanded the council from three to five
members. And it created the following departments:
Finance, Health, Fire, Municipal Public Utilities, Parks
and Recreation, Police and Public Works, and Aviation.
However, only the aviation function was wholly new. The
new charter did not become operative until April, 1955.
City government officials had a new building in 1958. A
new city hall at 300 LaPorte Avenue was dedicated on June
8. It replaced a building which had been in use since
1882. A new county courthouse was dedicated in August,
1957. It was built on the 200 block of West Oak, in
Courthouse Square.
While Fort Collins was modernizing its' government and
municipal offices, it was losing two prominent elements
of its' history. In 1955 drought and high winds caused a
reduction of sugar beet acreage in the area.
Consequently, Great Western Sugar Company announced it
would not operate its' local factory in the fall. The
plant, which had provided much of the city's prosperity
during the first four decades of the 1900s and had great
influence on the city's demography, would never reopen.
After the plant closed, area beet farmers shipped their
produce to either the Loveland or Windsor plants.
In 1952 the local streetcar system became the last such
operation in Colorado to end its' services. The trolley
had been costing the city money for several years and the
cars were not in good condition. The establishment of an
independent bus company in Fort Collins in June, 1951,
made the loss easier for local commuters. However,
Bussard Bus Company's Fort Collins operation did not
match the trolley's longevity. It ended its' services in
December, 1955.
Another piece of Fort Collins history was lost in 1950.
The Welch House, also owned by Charles Evans, was torn
down to clear ground for a new Safeway store on the
northwest corner of College and Mulberry. The house had
been built in 1899 by Corwin R. Welch, owner of the
region's largest dry goods store at the time.
A man who sought to keep western history alive passed
away in November, 1953. Frank Miller, Jr., died at the
age of 67 following a heart attack. He had been afflicted
with heart disease for several years.
In 1951 Horsetooth Reservoir, completed in 1949 as part
of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, finally received
its' first water from the Big Thompson River through the
Charles Hansen Canal, although major deliveries in the
system did not begin until 1953. In addition to
collecting irrigation water, the reservoir supplies water
to the City of Fort Collins and to Colorado State
University. The reservoir is also a favorite recreation
spot for activities such as fishing, boating, water
skiing, sailing, and picnicking.
During the decade another local recreational facility was
provided for the city by the efforts of the Elks Club.
The swimming pool at City Park was built with the aid of
a fund-raising campaign conducted by the Elks, as the
city had no money for the project. Drowning incidents
involving children swimming in irrigation ditches led to
citizens' desire for a pool.
Water also caused seven deaths in Larimer County when
flash floods followed three inches of rainfall on August
3, 1955. The storm cost about $1 million in damages,
including an estimated $270,000 damages at Colorado A
& M. The following year area farmers experienced what
they thought to be the most destructive storm they'd ever
seen locally. In June a hailstorm caused $4 million
dollars in damage to crops over a twenty mile wide circle
around Fort Collins.
Between the years 1944 and 1955 the city of Fort Collins
doubled in size. This increase was brought about by a
post war building boom and the annexation of the college
campus, which was experiencing some growth of its' own.
With increased emphasis on research and on providing more
diverse fields of study, the school offered its' first
doctoral program in 1951, and became Colorado State
University in 1957. The College's first Ph. D. was
granted in 1955 to A. R. Chamberlain, later president of
C. S. U. President William E. Morgan spearheaded the move
to university status and the implementation of a building
program to provide housing for expected increases in
enrollment.
BUSINESS/INDUSTRY
SUGAR FACTORY LOST
Miller collection -COLORADOAN (7/5/1955)
There was a reduction of sugar beet acreage in the Fort
Collins area because of drought and high winds. In May,
this reduction resulted in the Great Western Sugar
Company's announcement that it will not operate its' Fort
Collins factory next Fall. It was never reopened!
SUGAR FACTORY & AND THE BEET INDUSTRY CLOSES
TRIANGLE REVIEW (4/16/1980)
1954
The Factory closed at the end of the 1954 beet season.
Farmers were using trucks rather than teams & wagons
by the 1950s, to transport the beets to the dumps. From
there, they were still hauled by rail. After the factory
closed, most area beets were shipped to Loveland for
processing. Others were sent to Windsor or to the Greeley
factory.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1950
Fort Collins near coal stock crisis (1-17-1950 25/6)
Coal lack shuts Ft. Collins jail (3-2-1950 6/2 SE)
Fort Collins Production and Marketing Administration
office to be transferred here (5-25-1950 47/4)
Production and Marketing Administration move to Denver
assailed--Gould (6-15-1950 56/8)
Businessmen picket Price and Marketing offices for moving
to Denver (6-16-1950 44/1)
1951
Giant lumber production program there announced by
Herbert Commer and his two brothers (3-10-1951 16/7)
Poor plant income $111,858 (6-4-1951 13/6)
Fire guts Neutze Furniture Company; damages Lincoln Hotel
(12-23-1951 12/4)
1953
Fort Collins to have new Busley store (4-23-1953 55/8)
Safeway sues to sell milk in Fort Collins (9-22-1953
29/1)
1955
Woodward Governor Company opens branch office, hires only
students from college (3-16-1955 52/2)
Forney Industries Inc. to manufacture Aercoupe
single-engine airplanes (4-4-1955 44/5)
Construction of $5 million Ideal Cement Company plant
expansion, the Boettcher plant, is set for Fall (8-2-1955
40/7)
Silvaire Uranium and Aircraft Company to build $100,000
plant (8-17-1955 72/4)
Fort Collins' Co-op nursery--parents operate pre-school
to cut costs (9-11-1955 40/3)
1956
Building of Aircoupe by Forney Manufacturing to be first
since 1920s (3-5-1956 44/4)
Control of First National Bank sold to Transamerica
Corporation of San Francisco (5-1-1956 44/5)
Way cleared to sell milk in Safeway stores (12-20-1956
29/1)
1958
Court allows raw milk sale (2-1-1958 18/7)
Boettcher & Company, Bosworth, Sullivan & Company
and Coughlin & Company have purchased $1,325,000
issue of Fort school building bonds (5-6-1958 43/6)
Re Fenwick's West (5-12-1958 17/3)
Part of Fenwick's West (5-14-1958 25/4)
New battery accessory plant opens (8-3-1958 4/1 E)
1959
Gets second radio station, KZIX (1-15-1959 32/3)
Fort Collins Country Club--Golf club buys farm (5-22-1959
22/8)
Work begins Monday on First National Bank at West Oak and
Mason (10-12-1959 16/2)
AGRICULTURE
COLORADO BIG THOMPSON PROJECT (Museum files)
1951
The first Colorado-Big Thompson water started flowing
into Horsetooth reservoir last week. It came from Estes
Park by way of the Big Thompson River and the Horsetooth
canal. See related material from the 1950s.
Illustration showing mechanics of project (in file).
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1950
Fort Collins Soil Conservation District prepared for
annual meeting Feb. 22 (2/16/1950 32/3)
Editorial on Ft. Collins spirit in the Brannan farm
program (6-17-1950 12/1)
1951
Hosts to the Colorado Flying Farmers Association
(8-18-1951 60/2)
1955
3,000 farmers and state officials meet at annual
Farmers-Merchants Party (3-26-1955 16/4)
Flying Farmers set annual convention Friday and Saturday
(3-27-1955 8/8 AA)
Ten houses and lots in the Bureau of Reclamation Village
being offered for sale (4-6-1955 44/2)
1956
National seed bank at Ft. Collins being sought as aid to
research (2-15-1956 56/4)
GSA awarded architectural contracts for agricultural
department installations (11-29-1956 3/1)
1957
Farm meet of American Institute of Cooperation here
August 18 to 21st (7-10-1957 56/4)
PEOPLE
DEATH OF FRANK MILLER JR. (Library Files)
1953
Died 11/21/1953. Frank C. Miller (Fort Collins pioneer
& colorful Westerner of many careers), lost his
battle with cancer early Saturday. His foe was heart
disease, which had afflicted him for several years. Death
came to him at the Larimer County Hospital at 5:15 A.M.
Saturday. He was taken there shortly before noon on
Friday, after suffering a heart attack while visiting his
physician. Mr. Miller was 67.
GURNEY CRAWFORD
"FATHER GOOSE" SCRAPBOOK-letters by
D.E.W. & Lee E. Yeager
Gurney Crawford (in 1951), was a conservation officer for
the Colorado Department of Game & Fish. It was
located on an 80 acre tract of marsh & weed grown
land, near Wellington. The land would provide excellent
cover (for Winter or for nesting purposes) for ducks,
pheasants and cottontail rabbits. Gurney saw the need for
rest areas for Canadian geese in the Fort Collins area.
His efforts brought him region-wide recognition for work
in trapping and banding ducks and geese. He also was
given credit for re-establishing a large resident
population of Canadian geese in N.E. Colorado. His
efforts earned him the name of "Father Goose".
In 1972, there was a resident flock of about 2,000. In
1973, Crawford received the American Motors Conservation
award.
CHIEF O.P. KELLY
MUSEUM (KELLY'S II) SCRAPBOOK II (page 73)
7/28/1955
Orville P. Kelly, in 1955 was still serving as Chief of
the Fort Collins Police Department after 19 years on the
job. On Aug. 19th, 1955, he was awarded the annual
"Gold Seal of Progress" award. This award is
based on the length of service in law-enforcement, youth
activities, police traffic control programs, control of
vice, gambling & other civic activities. He came to
Fort Collins in 1925, being appointed as deputy sheriff.
He was elected Sheriff in 1928 and served a four year
term. He was appointed Police Chief in 1937. In 1954, he
was President of the Police Protection Association, which
led to this award. The City Police Department won 3rd
place in the American Automobile Association's annual
competition for Pedestrian Safety in both 1953-54. In
1955 the Department won seventh place in the traffic
safety contest sponsored by the National Safety Council.
Other activities were: Sponsoring of a Boy Scout Troop at
the Mountain View School, Junior & Traffic Patrols at the City
Schools, Safety Program at the Elementary Schools, the
adaptation of the State's Model Traffic code &
Pedestrian Safety Programs. Kelly was a member of the
Fort Collins Safety Council, past President of the
Community Chest. The "Community Kiwanis Builder of
the Year" award was presented in 1955. Kelly's
background: Married, one daughter. Member of First
Presbyterian Church. Orville P. Kelly stepped down as
police chief at the age of 72, after 25 years of service.
GOVERNMENT/CITY DEVELOPMENT
COURTHOUSE, CITY HALL
COLORADOAN (8/11/1957)
Courthouse opened in 1957. City Hall cornerstone laid
8/20/1957.
WELCH HOUSE
COLORADOAN (1/27/1982)
In 1899, C. R. Welch built a magnificent home, at the
N.W. corner of College & Mulberry. Unfortunately, the
house had to yield to the building of a Safeway Store.
Corwin R. Welch, was the son of Jacob Welch. He bought
out his brother's (Wilbur) interest in a Welch block
store shortly after moving from Greeley to Fort Collins
in 1883. He had been one of the founders of Greeley (like
his Father) where they had continued business success.
The store was rebuilt after an 1885 fire. C. R. Welch
continued in the business until the 1890s, becoming one
of the town's most prosperous business people. We now
ZOOM forward 50 years. A resolution to proceed towards
construction was passed on 10/12/1952. Architect Roland
Linder was contracted.
NEW COURTHOUSE
COLORADOAN (3/17/1955)
Construction of Larimer County's new courthouse, got
under way at 8:00 A.M. Wednesday 3/17/1955. Workmen for
the M. W. Watson Construction Co. began excavating the
basement on the building site, on the Oak Street side of
the courthouse square (see photo).
NEW COURTHOUSE
COLORADOAN (8/16/1964)
It was built without a bond being issued. Saved money
ahead & earned interest to the amount of 10 percent
of the cost of the building. It was dedicated 8/11/1957.
9/28/1953. Citizens were asked for ideas on location,
majority of those chose the south side of the Courthouse
Square facing Oak Street. Contracts for main building
totaled about $1,029,000; for jail & welfare building
(begun later) $325,000. Furnishings ran $98,147. It was
paid for when completed, the building levies from 1946
addition were used to pay for the structure.
NEW CITY HALL
COLORADOAN (8/16/1957 & 6/8/1958)
1957
Construction began in August of 1957; it was dedicated in
June of 1958 and located at 300 LaPorte Avenue. It
replaced the building, which had been used since 1882,
when the town had 2,000 inhabitants. The town now has
25,000. New features include: A drive-up pay window for
utility bills, homeroom demonstrations, facilities for
the health department, City attorney's office, lab for
inspection of water & food. Functions of the
different City departments were given in a brochure.
"RUSH TO ROCKIES"
MUSEUM (CENTENNIAL-RED) SCRAPBOOK (page 8,
9; see envelope in front cover)
1954
2ND CITY/CHARTER ELECTION
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
Framed by a convention, attended by 21 people. Accepted
by popular vote in special election.
CITY ELECTION, NEW CHARTER
Miller collection-COLORADOAN
1955
Fort Collins voters (in the first City election held
under the 1954 City Charter) chose William H. Allen,
Robert W. Sears, Frank Aydelotte, J. Morris Howell and
Roland A. Ellis to the new City Council.
COUNCIL-MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT
COPIRG CITY REPORT (1975, page 7)
Under home rule provisions of Article XX of the Colorado
Constitution, Fort Collins established a new City Charter
in 1954 as they began the council-manager form of
government. In the council-manager form of government (as
distinguished from a mayor-council form) corporate
authority & decision making powers reside with the
elected council. The mayor is elected from within the
council and may vote on matters before the council. The
title of mayor is honorific, unlike the vast
discretionary powers given to the mayor in a
mayor-council form of government. In the council-manager
form of government, the mayor simply presides over
general meetings and acts as the ceremonial executive of
the city at official gatherings. However, the actual
administration of the city is compared to a full time
city manager, who is hired & fired by the council.
The city manager attends ALL the council meetings,
but does not vote or otherwise participate. Except, at
the pleasure of the council.
CITY GOVERNMENT
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson (page 245-246,
254)
Reform in city government had been gaining headway since
the 1940s. Each of the Commissioners worked on one phase
of city government, so in the joint meetings his
knowledge helped in decision making. Later, council
people were able to learn only after the election.
A tremendous proportion of their time was required
to study all parts of Government. The constant pressure
from the voters (emotional over trivial details or
lacking in realistic business experience) kept their
telephone lines jingling. They worked hard &
government experts came from everywhere to study the
progress in Fort Collins, despite its' weaknesses. There
were several areas where public & private interests
so overlapped that very few people really knew what was
happening. The frugal system of hiring a part-time city
attorney, meant that this individual had to build up his
private practice. This was needed for a financial base.
The possibility of a conflict of interest, made the
city's arrangements for legal advice a questionable
economy. The City thus gradually moved to the city
manager type of government, in spite of reluctant voters.
In the 1950s, the women again played an important role in
local politics. The National League of Women Voters was a
development of the 1920s, after the Women's Suffrage
amendment to the Federal Constitution. Dorothy Heyman and
others formed a local club in 1951. Their first task was
analysis of the local government. The need to update the
charter to fit the actual situation was apparent. Good
voter education helped win support. The supporters
carried the amendment and the city manager's job was
formally recognized. He could appoint and remove ALL
city employees except the city-attorney & the
municipal judges, so the responsibility was centered. The
fact that Palmes (see "City Government" in the
1930s) continued in office until 1961, fulfilling a term
of 22 years, meant the new charter did not seem to have a
drastic effect on the town.
Mayors: 1948-1954 Robert W. Hays
1954-1955 C. H. Alford
1955-1957 William H. Allen-First mayor under
council-mayor form of government, provided by the 1954
charter.
1957-1959 Robert W. Sears
1959-1961 Jack G. Harvey
City Manager 1939-1961 Guy Palmes
FORT COLLINS NEW CITY CHARTER, CONVENTION &
ELECTION
Miller Collection - COLORADOAN (Page 527)
1954
Convention deliberated 56 days, had 16 sessions.
Convention was the 2nd of its' kind in Fort Collins. The
1st was in 1913, when the home rule was written.
SECOND CITY CHARTER/ELECTION
COLORADOAN -also see "City Government"
in FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
There was a special election on Sept. 21 (actually held
on Tuesday 10/6/1954).
The election concerned the new charter & a water
fluoridation plant being planned. These were the
BIGGEST of CHANGES!!!!!! 1) Establishment of the city
manager form of Government; 2) Enlargement from 3 to 5
Commissioners of City Council. Fluoridation of city water
supply was defeated 2,423 to 1,459 votes. Departments
created by the charter: finance, fire, health, municipal
public utilities, parks & recreation, police, public
works, & aviation--the only "entirely new
function." The vote on the charter passed 2,133
to 1,834. The fluoridation plant failed 2,423 to 1,459.
CITY GROWTH
COLORADOAN (8/16/1959 page 5-A)
The size of the City doubled between 1944 & 1959 as a
result of the postwar building boom & the annexation
of the CSU campus.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1950
Going to recheck bureau's figures (5-8-1950 16/6)
Gains 2,675 residents between 1940 and 1950 (6-15-1950
40/5)
Four men arrested for bootlegging there (6-20-1950 3/1)
Steam turbo-generator installed in city (8-1-1950 15/2)
Rent ceilings lifted (9-30-1950 16/5)
Asked council to legalize sale of beer on holidays
(12-12-1950 30/2)
1951
Wins first place in its population class in the U. S.
Chamber of Commerce National Fire Prevention Contest
(4-9-1951 12/6)
Wilbur B. Foshay hired as manager of Chamber of Commerce
(10-12-1951 2/4)
1952
No place to expand; Ft. Collins complains of growing
pains (3-11-1952 40/1)
T. P. Treadwell, Fire Chief, to retire (8-2-1952 16/8)
1953
Forty acres of grass burned in fire (1-27-1953 44/1)
$1 million structure to replace Larimer County Courthouse
(3-3-1953 40/1)
Profile to be in Sunday Post (3-17-1953 40/7)
Empire profile (3-22-1953 1/1 AA)
1954
Arthur A. Anderson, Finance Chief, to resign; successor
to be announced (12-25-1954 15/7 SC)
1955
Griffith Sporting Goods robbed of $1,183.50 in
miscellaneous items (3-27-1955 23/2)
City move to sign up fringe residents for annexation
petitions according to water (5-31-1955 44/2)
Water shut-off set Friday by rebelling "fringe
area" water users (6-2-1955)
Stockholders of Parkview Pipeline Association support
firm in water fight (6-2-1955 72/5)
Fringe rebels file suit in fight with city (6-3-1955
52/7)
Maud Atkinson Nursing Home had its' water cut off in
dispute over annexation policies (6-3-1955 52/7)
It's all quiet, temporarily, in Ft. Collins water war
(6-4-1955 16/7)
Forces ready for new row in water case (6-8-1955 72/6)
Forney and city reach agreement (6-10-1955 56/4)
Lined up Colorado Municipal League to back them in its'
battle with fringe runners (7-1-1955 44/2)
Relaxed lawn sprinkling regulations went into effect here
(7-2-1955 16/4)
To vote on school bonds (7-6-1955 52/6)
Town representative appeared before jury selecting
National Municipal League "All American City."
(7-25-1955 42/8)
Water row intensifies (8-10-1955 52/7)
"How Ft. Collins solves the Kid Crime Problem,"
by Pauline Birky (8-21-1955 12/1 M)
City building permit value near 1954 total in eight
months (9-7-1955 52/8)
Continuance granted to residents protesting establishment
of Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Recreation Dist.
(9-20-1955 52/8)
City Council set December 13 for special election on
proposed city charter amendment on buying buses
(9-23-1955 60/8)
Approves $700,000 school bond (9-28-1955 52/1)
Fort Collins suit on water rejected (10-4-1955 44/8)
To vote on bus service after January 1 (12-12-1955 48/8)
1956
Water issue to go on trial March 19 (1-10-1956 42/1)
Sets all-time building record for January (2-7-1956 40/6)
Conversion of telephone system to dial operation slated
(2-7-1956 40/8)
City water service case to go on trial Monday (3-16-1956
56/1)
City Council decides to build city hall in Washington
Park (3-16-1956 56/7)
Water, annexation stir up row (3-17-1956 18/4)
Water trial nearing end (3-21-1956 56/6)
Water suit taken under advisement of Judge Dale Shannon
(3-22-1956 76/7)
1957
Dr. Honstein and Victor Schilling named to council
(4-3-1957 40/1)
County dedicates $1.6 million new courthouse structure
(4-4-1957 72/4)
Robert W. Sears elected mayor (4-11-1957 page 23)
Mailmen average two dogbites a month (7-12-1957 52/4)
City Hall cornerstone to be laid on 93rd anniversary
(8-17-1957 16/6)
To vote January on the bus system expansion (8-30-1957
1/5)
Has a pay-as-you-go philosophy (10-15-1957 52/1)
1958
City holds farm party (3-22-1958 18/4)
Petitions filed demanding cigarette tax be repealed or
put to vote of people (9-27-1958 18/3)
$300,000 issue for sewer improvement sold to Boettcher
& Company (12-22-1958 41/4)
1959
Suburban water users win suit (3-16-1959 17/5)
Jack Harvey named Fort Collins mayor (4-15-1959 51/6)
Greeley resists water program of Fort Collins (5-25-1959
20/1)
Chief building engineer there reports building permits
first five months double 1958 pace (6-17-1959 12/7)
Senate confirms Walter H. Wyss as Postmaster (8-28-1959
14/3)
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
DEVELOPMENT OF THE FOOTHILLS CAMPUS, ETC......
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (pages 396-398, 417)
1953
Development of the Foothills campus; CSU Research
Foundation (CSURF) started 1941; new Agronomy &
animal husbandry farms (Ridgen farm, etc.); Computer
Center begun 1958; Fine Arts Series started; State Forest
Service under State Board of Agriculture; Honors program
started under Professor Willard O. Eddy. The construction
was a phase of increasing emphasis on Liberal Arts.
A & M COLLEGE EXPANSION
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (pages 380-388)
1955
Legislature OKs new building levy in 1955. Engineering
center ready in 1957. The first Doctoral program &
Civil engineering both were established in 1951. First
Doctor's degree (engineering) to A. R. Chamberlain in
1955. A & M College became Colorado State University
by legislative act, effective May 1, 1957.
DORMITORIES
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 397)
1952
Revenue bonds issued to finance
RESEARCH EMPHASIS
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (page 390-392)
Leadership by Dean Andrew Clark. "Outside"
funding obtained for research projects. Water resources
research & foreign projects.
See the photo of the irrigation lab.
HONORARY DOCTORAL DEGREE FOR KREUTZER
Miller Collection-COLORADOAN (page 777)
6/15/1955
William R. Kreutzer of Fort Collins, the first U.S.
forest ranger, will receive an honorary degree of doctor
of science at the Colorado A & M College Commencement
Friday.
W.E. MORGAN, PRESIDENT
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE-Hansen (pages 375-377)
1950
A post-war surge in student enrollment caused building
& financial problems. Brought pressure for the
liberal course to supplement technical courses. A
conflict between the "broad gauge" vs. the
"narrow gauge" educational theory ensued. An
extensive building was started. See photo in the museum
files.
WILLIAM E. MORGAN
COLORADOAN (2/8/1970, CSU-Centennial issue 3A)
Dr. William E. Morgan became the 8th president of
Colorado Agricultural & Mechanical College in 1949.
The immediate problem that faced Morgan was the numerous
groups of people (on & off campus) who willingly
accepted a subordinate role for the College in Colorado's
higher Education. They were opposed by those who could
not envision a rapid growth rate for the school. It was
Morgan who pleaded the case for a name change for the
school. He felt that the school was too diversified to
continue being called Colorado A & M. In May 1957,
The school was named "Colorado State
University".
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1955
Annexing of Colorado A & M campus considered
(10-23-1955 3/3)
1957
C.S.U. honors its' foreign students (11-22-1957 64/4)
CIVIC
CITY PARK POOL
COLORADOAN (4/15/1984, Crossroads section)
Elks Club had a fund-raising campaign to raise money for
the pool as the City had no money for it. Elks had
minstrel show to raise money. Desire for pool a response
to youngsters drowning while swimming in irrigation
ditches.
FORT COLLINS RECREATION COMMISSION
EMPIRE MAGAZINE (8/21/1955, pages 12-13)
Community Chest organization is providing recreational
resources & activities for Fort Collins youth (a
Recreational program has been in effect since 1945). It
had a budget of $87,000 in 1955. Commission included the
city manager, school superintendent, a city councilman, a
school board member, boys & girls from the Youth
Center (Club Tico) & five elected members
representing Community Organizations. Community groups
who helped included: the Elks who built the swimming
pool, the Lions & Kiwanis who came through with
football uniforms, the Garden Club who made paintings,
and other groups that contributed athletic fees and a
small fee for handicrafts. Program credited with
contributing to the drop in juvenile delinquency rate 28%
in the past two years, while the rate increased
nationally.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1950
Garden clubs foster title of "Lilac City"
(2-5-1950 25/6)
Ft. Collins Ministerial Alliance deplores hysteria over
Dr. Frederick Stamm (10-18-1950 30/3)
1951
School fund vote seen in January (1-13-1951 48/4)
Opens beautification drive (3-18-1951 18/4)
Designates April 1-15 as this year's "Lilac planting
time." (no date given)
1952
$600,000 school issue voted in Fort Collins (1-24-1952
40/9)
Three joint bidders buy $600,000 school bond issue
(2-29-1952)
Field of 833 preps entered in state meet at the Ft.
Collins N. S. Invitational (5-2-1952 32/5)
$383,745 school addition set (5-21-1952 38/4)
1953
Racing club to invest $1,000 in new speedway (2-20-1953
48/5)
150 Camp Fire girls tour Denver (3-17-1953 29/7)
Frank J. Shantz, banker, takes two relatives to view his
bank, accidently locked up for 45 minutes (6-23-1953
44/1)
Businessmen and students to mark Hobo Day (7-22-1953
52/6)
Grass roots symphony (11-22-1953 14/1 Mag)
KCOL contest chooses Scott Peterson and wife as Neighbors
of 1953 (11-26-1953 6/1)
1955
Second graders in school study Spanish (2-20-1955 7/1 M)
Annual arts and crafts exhibit held in May is something
the entire family flocks to see (6-19-1955 6/1 Mag)
1956
Orchestra study set for American Symphony Orchestra
League (1-18-1956 52/8)
1957
Annual Merchants-Farmers party March 23 (3-17-1957 25/1)
100 Blue Birds and Campfire Girls to make annual visit to
Denver (3-18-1957 37/1)
Plans for merger of two schools dropped (4-11-1957 18/1)
Eight schools to enter golf tourney this weekend
(5-23-1957 50/8)
Married students in Ft. Collins High School barred from
sports and extracurricular activities (7-2-1957)
J. Ray French, principal, refuses to name gridder banned
on account of being married (7-3-1957 16/4)
Editor: High Schools limited (7-3-1957 16/4)
The Coloradoan to print School Board minutes
(8-1-1957 63/6)
Schools use Aetna Drive-trainer to teach rudiments of
driving (9-22-1957 6/1 M)
1958
Chamber of Commerce to hear Dr. Carl S. Winters of Oak
Park, Ill. (1-9-1958 26/1)
Education Board urges speed on second junior high
(1-17-1958 27/1)
Sputniks fascinate even second graders at Ft. Collins
(2-13-1958 15/1)
Fort Collins High School winning debaters named (4-1-1958
13/1)
Fort Collins boosts salaries of teachers (5-23-1958 25/4)
1959
Citizens' Committee for Public Schools wins first prize
in contest (1-7-1959 17/3)
Ft. Collins schools 'citizens' receive national honor
award (1-20-1959 13/4)
Builds school in honor of Dr. David B. Lesher (3-30-1959
13/2)
Industrial fair set this week at Fort Collins (5-18-1959
38/8)
NATURAL PHENOMENA
FLOOD
COLORADOAN (8/5/1951)
Flash floods killed 7 in Larimer County caused about $1
million in damage (includes estimated $270,000 at
Colorado A & M) as almost 3 inches of rain fell in
the storm; there was also an accompanying electrical
storm on August 3rd.
HAILSTORM
COLORADOAN (6/26/1952)
$4 million in damage done to crops in hailstorm, for a 20
mile radius around Fort Collins. It was said to be the
most destructive storm ever seen here by farmers.
LOWEST TEMPERATURE IN FORT COLLINS
COLORADOAN (2/4/1982)
1951
February 1st 1951 41 degrees below zero.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1950
New record of precipitation during July set in Ft.
Collins (8-3-1950 56/1)
1956
Forest fire checked 12 miles west of there (7-21-1956
16/1)
"Flying saucer" visible for 37 minutes; might
be planet Mars (8-27-1956 48/6)
Light in sky appears again; seen in Loveland and Wyoming
also (8-30-1956 64/7)
25 fight forest fire in Roosevelt National Forest near
Ft. Collins (9-7-1956 60/1)
HEALTH/MEDICINE
THREATENED EPIDEMIC OF CANINE RABIES
MUSEUM (KELLY II) SCRAPBOOK (3/29/1950 pages19
& 31)
"Cities back plan to vaccinate dogs, bag surplus
scraps." Other articles on this topic follow for two
pages.
1) Appointment of a committee of 3 veterinarians to
arrange for holding clinics on innoculating in various
parts of the county. 2) Emergency resolution will provide
for the confinement of dogs by their owners and give
county the authority for impounding and vaccination of
strays. 3) A rabies warning is to be broadcasted. 4) The
veterinarian fee is set at $2.00. 5) The establishment of
more county pounds. The surplus strays seem to be a MAJOR
PROBLEM!!!!!! Further details of this problem are
available on page 20--dog pound, how to be involved, tags
required. 1) Dog owners here must obtain 1951 City
licenses for their animals by April 16th to avoid having
them impounded. 2) A City ordinance requires all persons
owning dogs (4 months or older) to obtain a City dog
license each year. The fee cost is $2.00 for males, $4.00
for females. A penalty of $1 is added for all licenses
bought after May 1st. Starting April 16th, they picked up
ALL stray or unlicensed dogs running loose on the
street.
POUDRE VALLEY HOSPITAL
COLORADOAN (4/14/1984, Crossroads Section 9)
Hospital Fundraising campaign "a community effort to
raise $1 million-plus to establish the modern base for
Poudre Valley Hospital." The Hospital Fund raising
campaign occurred in conjunction with legislation
establishing hospital districts (said Bill Michael), the
long-time hospital board chairman. Until then, city
government had owned and run Poudre Valley Hospital.
Pressure was brought to get the county out of the
hospital business. Impetus was given to the volunteer
effort, Michael recalled.
GATEWAY THERAPY CENTER
Miller collection -COLORADOAN (4/7/1955, Book 4
page 718)
4/7/1955
Dr. David B. Lesher (Fort Collins School Superintendent )
helped Davis Snyder (victim of a crippling disease) turn
the first soil for the new home of Gateway (Larimer
County's Occupational Therapy Center) to be erected west
of Laurel School.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1958
Fort Collins boy, Chester Latham, hurt by flying pipe (17
5-9-1958 23/4)
CIVIL RIGHTS
KU KLUX KLAN
COLORADOAN (5/28/1967)
Lengthy article titled Ku Klux Klan White-robed
Knights Once Roamed in Larimer
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1950
Latin Americans claim race ban at Ft. Collins (5-14-1950
17/3)
Story on Fort Collins again being accused of race bans by
Ruben Valdez (5-25-1950 10/5)
TRANSPORTATION
TROLLEY
COLORADO TROLLEYS-Feitz & Leland (pages 39-42)
1952
It was the last system in Colorado to end operation; the
end came in 1952 after several repairs. Actually, the
line had lost the City money for several years. It was
generally known that the cars were not in a good state of
repair. What made it even worse for the old line was a
competing bus company. This independent company was
interested in establishing a broad new transit systems
for the growing city, a very personal kind of
transit system. The little cars often stopped at will
between the regular stops (along the city's tree lined
avenues), to accommodate the people. While an effort was
made to maintain a schedule, one rider recalls how the
cars weren't always on time. He admitted that it didn't
make much of a difference.
GOOD-BYE TO THE STREETCARS & CITY BUSES
MUSEUM (EXTRA SCRAPBOOK)-Mrs. Floe (June 28th)
1951
Yesterday was the last day for streetcars to run (San
Juan Express). The streetcars were a money losing
proposition and the people were sorry to see them
abandoned. The upkeep of the tracks proved to be too
costly! Buses were installed by the Bussard Company on
June 28th, 1951. After a run of 4 years, their service
ended on December 31st, 1955 as Bussard ended operations.
The five streetcar drivers became bus drivers--F. O.
Beeler, Swen Undem, H. Dave Busch, Charles O'Laughin
& Charles Anderson.
DENVER POST ARTICLES
1950
Trolley junking ballot slated (3-14-1950 35/1)
1951
Fort Collins to get buses (6-28-1951 72/4)
1955
Improved flying field to be dedicated April 3rd
(3-23-1955 52/1)
Transit plan killed (12-14-1955 72/8)
1959
Improvement Association asks state to consider aiding
city move of Colorado & Southern Railroad tracks
through city (8-4-1959 18/6)
Fort Collins bus service quits again (8-14-1959 13/7)
Public meeting 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on moving Colorado
& Southern Railroad tracks (8-25-1959 21/1)
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