October 18, 1973 – Benjy Kuehling reports that sufficient donations have been received to meet costs of wood shakes for the new swimming pool bathhouse roof.

The shakes are on the property. Construction has proceeded rapidly under direction of Bob Schey, contractor, and thanks to the continuing excellent fall weather.

Kuehling wishes to personally thank everyone who contributed to the “Shakes Fund,” with a special thanks to the Plaindealer for its assistance in the campaign.

Any late donations will be placed in a separate fund to provide for the rock facing on the bathhouse, another item that had to be postponed by the city council because funds just wouldn’t stretch.

40 YEARS AGO

October 20, 1983 – The summer of 1983 was a troubled summer for the Ouray Hot Springs Pool. The flooding on Canyon Creek the past few years resulted in the creek channel filling up, causing the water to rise above the hot water springs below Box Canyon Falls. The high water would get into the vault on the west side of the creek. Flooding of the main vault resulted in rocks and gravel plugging the hot water line. On July 4th of this year the flow of hot water was completely shut off by the line plugged from debris. There is only a limited time in September and October, during low water flow in the creek, that work can be done to the hot springs.

In the past access has been gained by a narrow trail on the west side of Canyon Creek along the hot water pipeline. The amount of work that needed to be done this fall dictated that a better way to get to the Box Canyon hot spring was a must. A huge boulder at the discharge of Canyon Creek into the Uncompahgre River was blasted so that a bulldozer could move it to one side.

30 YEARS AGO

October 21, 1993 – Peggy Anna Cox of Ouray was awarded the Decoration of Chivalry at the 103rd annual session of Rebekahs and Oddfellows which was held Oct. 9-14 at the Graystone Castle in Thornton. The award, which is the highest award given by the order, was presented by the Department Council on Oct. 10. Regina Leptien of Montrose was her escort and her grandson, Johnnie Lacey, placed the jewel on her. The local lodge, Mt. Hayden Rebekah Lodge #54, had recommended her for the jewel. Some of the qualifications to receive the award were: proof that she was a member in good standing, having performed outstanding meritorious service in the order, being active in her church and in civic and benevolent activities in the community, helping others outside her family circle and being active in her community.

20 YEARS AGO

October 17, 2003 – SILVERTON – Red Mountain Mining District landowner Frank Baumgartner was found guilty of contempt at San Juan County Court on Oct. 7 and ordered to pay $5,000 in fines and fees. The judgment resulted from Baumgartner’s failure to meet two deadlines to clean-up debris on his property and from burning a historic structure on that property, according to the Silverton Standard. Baumgartner had until July 1 to remove what remained of the Kohler/ Longfellow Boarding house, which until its destruction by Baumgartner in August 2002 had stood near where Ouray County and San Juan County meet on U.S.

Highway 550 atop Red Mountain Pass.

He was given a second deadline of Aug. 1.

Baumgartner admitted that he authorized a crew to set fire to what remained of the Kohler building on Aug. 12. That fire reportedly also burned down a still-standing substation.

10 YEARS AGO

October 17, 2013 – Dear Editor, Many of us might remember the Girl Scout Camp tucked away in the big trees off County Road 5. And then we remember it closed.

This past Saturday we joined many more area residents to have a look at what’s being planned for this space, now called Top of the Pines. What a glorious space!

175 acres covered with so many Ponderosa pines, interspersed with meadows still flowering, all tucked right up against the Sneffels range of the San Juans. For us it was true discovery. We can no longer ski or rock climb or hike steep mountain trails. Here at Top of the Pines, we learned that trails are planned, flat as possible and wide too. For us this would be new hiking space. We found the main building easily, structurally sound now but still unfinished. When work is completed, this will offer a full kitchen, indoor restrooms, meeting space for 150 even. Much work needs to be done. Many hands need to help. As well as we are able we will put our hands to work there too. – Linda and Bill Hanson, Ridgway