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Spanish Peaks Country shared Cuchara Foundation's post.

3 months ago

Huerfano County. That’s home for City Girl these days. Never would have expected that as a kid growing up in Chicago or a career Mom in Denver. But I’ve become fascinated by the geography, culture, and history in this iconic county. Huerfano, as most of you know, is the Spanish word for “orphan” and if you believe that names help shape identity, as I do, then you’ll agree that our county fits its name well. We are often forgotten and overlooked in politics, economic development, and bragging rights. Usually, we are at or near the bottom on Colorado lists of healthiest, wealthiest and most educated counties. But, don’t let that fool you, Dear Readers. There is much to love about and appreciate here in Huerfano Did you know that Huerfano County: 1. Was once part of Mexico? Mexico owned the land up to the Arkansas River until it lost the Mexican – American War and ceded the land to the US. 2. Contains the landmark Huerfano butte that was used by Native Americans, Spanish explorers, fur trappers, and early settlers to guide their way. This assured that from early times what was to become Huerfano County was the crossroads of the southwest. Our area was indeed a multi-lingual place with several Native American languages, Spanish, French and finally English spoken here. 3. Was originally the largest county in the state. It's w borders extended from the Arkansas River on the north to the New Mexico border on the south and from the mountains on the west to Kansas on the east. The size was reduced a couple of times until the current borders were set in 1874, 4. Was changed by early settlers who brought land ownership, farming and ranching to the area. There are several hundred cemeteries in the county that give glimpses into their lives. Today, Huerfano County is the home of 13 Centennial farms, owned and continuously operated by the same family for 100 years. You can see a list of these on a plaque at the Huerfano Heritage Center in Walsenburg and learn more at a future event. 5. Coal mining became the primary industry of Huerfano County by the early 1900’s. Records show 75 mines listed in our county. https://colorado.hometownlocator.com/features/cultural,class,mine,scfips,08055.cfm 6. Mining brought an influx of people from around the world to work the mines and service the workers. Huerfano once again became a rich mix of cultures and languages. 7. Some of the biggest and longest lasting communes are in Huerfano County. (City Girl drew on information from "The Orphan" by John Manos, published by Rinehart Publishing, 2012 for some of these items.) So, how has the history of Huerfano influenced what it is today, City Girl wonders and continues to ask as she learns more and more about our area. Discovering the county’s history has been like peeling an artichoke leaf by leaf, always looking for the juicy heart and always surprised that there is more to come. Are you, too, curious about how the past influences our present? Well, here’s just the thing for you. The Huerfano County Historical Society is hosting a series of History Happenings, featuring events and information that influence our county today. These are set up as an informal Sunday Salon-type of event where an HCHS member hosts and shares interesting information to inform and stimulate discussion. Sunday, November. 4th is the first History Happenings Salon. It will be hosted by the HCHS Heritage Center Director, John Van Kueren. He has scoured the very extensive collection of photos and newspapers at the Heritage Center to prepare a presentation of photos of Huerfano County. Many of these are rare and seldom seen, others more common, but all give a sense of what has helped our county be what it is today. As far as the HCHS Board knows it is the first of its kind that pulls together old photos of our county in one show. Today's photos are just some samples of what's to come on Sunday. We hope you will join us at 2 PM at the Spanish Peaks Library, 415 Walsen Avenue, Walsenburg. We’ll have cookies and cider to add to your pleasure. Future History Happenings Salons Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, La Veta Library, 2 PM Tracing Your Roots and Ethical Implications, the hostess is Mary Ann Nelson, Ph.D. Sunday, March 10, 2019, 2 PM, La Veta Library, The German Colony: An early Commune? The host is David Steffan, local historian Sunday, May 19, 2 PM, Spanish Peaks Library. Huerfano’s Centennial Farms, Highlighting the newest one – the Sporleder Farm. Hosts will be the Sporleder Family and Sharon Vezzani. ... See MoreSee Less

Spanish Peaks Country shared Cuchara Foundation's post.

3 months ago

Yesterday we posted a few photos of the big snow in Cuchara. Today we share a collage of photos from some of the Rounders who were out with their cameras. Please enjoy these photos from some of the Rounders. Laura Lee Carter - Spanish Peaks Cuchara Vacation Rentals - Cuchara Valley Pamela Ward - ghost tree Heather Curtis - path shoveled through snow Lisa Dasenbrock - pine tree covered in snow Jessica Ayers - young Ayers examines his first snow man Andy Ayers - snow in the meadow Heather Curtis - dogs enjoying the snow ... See MoreSee Less

Spanish Peaks Country shared Cuchara Foundation's post.

3 months ago

Alrighty, then. When City Girl last posted the snow had just begun to fall in the Cuchara Valley. Well, it fell and fell all night and into the morning. A wonder deep drop after such a lean snow winter last year. City Girl hasn't actually ventured out yet to get photos. Hopefully, some of our amazing photographers will do that for us. But just so you can see how much we got I'm including the lazy-person's photos - taken from the front door and windows. We're guessing, without actually getting Lisa Dasenbrock's snow stick out, that we have between 18 and 24"! Good start for the winter, don't you think? Let's hope! ... See MoreSee Less

Spanish Peaks Country added 4 new photos.

3 months ago

OK - 4 AM ... still snowing ... storm is supposed to move out about Noon today - so could get another 4 to 6 inches ... the hill at Cuchara Mountain Park should be good for some runs for the human-powered skiers ... and check-in with Spanish Peaks Alpine Alliance (SPAA) on how the cross country trails at Cuchara Mountain Park are doing after this early season gift from Mother Nature - www.facebook.com/spanishpeaksalpinealliance/ ... See MoreSee Less

Spanish Peaks Country added 3 new photos.

3 months ago

Update from the hill! ... 2 AM and still snowing! ... See MoreSee Less

Spanish Peaks Country added 2 new photos.

3 months ago

Still snowing in the highlands of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Southern Colorado ... The first photo was taken at 10 PM and the second at midnight ... looks like we are accumulating about an inch an hour ... or more! All is welcome! ... See MoreSee Less