From the April 30, 1881, edition of the Gunnison News
“Lodging and boarding houses are erected on every side. This is one sign of the constant flow of people into our town. The town is fast filling up. Our police should pay special attention to the rough element which daily increases.” The end of off-season has never been a pretty sight for locals. “Two crowded coaches are arriving daily from Silver Creek and still passengers arriving at the termin find they must wait over a day to secure seats.”
“The Gunnison and the Tumichi (now Tomichi) have risen so high that crossing in many places is positively dangerous. Several narrow escapes have already reached our ears and travelers should be careful.”
“The Denver & South Park company are doing finely with their grading between here and Pitkin. Gangs of men are at work at intervals the whole length of the road, and already the bed of the road assumes a railroad-like shape.” Springtime in the Rockies means scrambling to update roads. They’re racing against the snow coming back, and the summer crowds forming.
“One good proof of our country is the improving of their lands by our ranchmen. Along the “Tumitchi” as well as elsewhere, a traveler will notice a great number of fences being built and irrigating ditches being dug.”
“The hotel on west New York avenue, formerly known as the Cuenin House, and owned by West Gunnison Town and Land Company, has been leased by L. Mullin and son E.H. Dunham, former cook for the Cuenin House. Under the supervision of Mr. E.H. Taylor, the Mullin House is being entirely renovated, and Mr. Mullin is now in Denver selecting new furniture and every requirement for a first class hotel.”
125 years ago
From the April 27, 1900, edition of the Gunnison Tribune
“Water was turned into the town ditches yesterday.”
“Last week a circumstance happened that caused the town officials to make up their minds that charivari parties should not be tolerated hereafter within the limits of Gunnison. Since the town was founded the custom has been to give a newly wedded couple a start in life by making the night most hideous by screaming and yelling and calling into play about everything upon which a noise could be made. The small boys were not the only ones to blame, as many men were frequent participants. Of late the charivari has developed into a systematic hold-up and several instances are known where the boys have demanded a certain amount of money from the groom. Last week an occurrence of this sort happened. The night following a wedding a half dozen young men repaired to the home and demanded of the groom a sum of money sufficient to buy a keg of beer.”
“Two miners at the Alpine coal mine Tuesday, named Fred Laret and John Hardy, broke into a deposit of natural gas which was ignited from their lamps and they were badly burned about the face and hands.”
100 years ago
From the April 1, 1926, edition of the Top O' The World - WCU, The Pitkin Miner
“That the Gunnison river as a trout fishing stream is the best in the United States and second best in North America, being surpassed only by one in Alaska, is the statement of National Geographic concerning the 1000 miles of trout fishing waters of Gunnison country.”
“During the evening of April 14, many Gunnison residents enjoyed a view of the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, a natural phenomenon of unusual interest because of the beauty and changeableness of the rays and clouds of colored light which come and go from parts of the northern heavens. It is not often observed at this latitude but was seen from many parts of the United States.”
“French class starts colony at Irwin, site of historic old mining camp.”
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