This photo from the late 1800s or early 1900s is labeled “Denver Ave., Holyoke, Colo.” The first building on the left is G.W. Garland Vehicles and Implements, Blacksmith and Machine Shop. George W. Garland apprenticed himself to the trade of carriage building, applying himself to the iron part of the business. He came to Holyoke in the late 1880s and opened a wagon shop and a blacksmith shop. As the town grew, George was constantly looking for new ideas and was the first automobile dealer in Holyoke. By 1909, it was claimed, there were 20 automobiles in the county. In 1906, he purchased the first courthouse building on the corner of Baxter Avenue and Denver Street, and it was used in his business until it was torn down in 1929 to make way for his new stucco garage, which later became Baldwin Chevrolet and is currently the location of Family Dollar. The first building on the right is recognized as the Farmers and Merchants Bank, which was housed on the corner of Denver Street and Interocean Avenue where Viaero Wireless now stands. — Source: Phillips County Museum
Peekin’ into the past
Five Years Ago
Jan. 3, 2013
2012 proved to be a dry one — really, really dry. Official weather observer Dan Kafka recorded 10.34 inches of precipitation for 2012. This was down over 9 inches from the 19.55 inches recorded in 2011.
Melissa Memorial Hospital is currently in the works to serve as a beta site for the next phase of the electronic medical records. East Phillips County Hospital District board members were told during their regular meeting on Dec. 27 that MMH is moving forward to help build and construct the next version of the EMRs with NextGen.
Phillips County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 2012-1 on Dec. 31, which prohibits “the operation of marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana product manufacturing facilities, marijuana testing facilities or retail marijuana stores within the unincorporated boundaries of Phillips County.”
Ten Years Ago
Jan. 3, 2008
For the first time in recent years, a Holyoke student will be spending a semester abroad as a foreign exchange student. Sophomore Amanda Ferguson, daughter of Rance and Connie Ferguson, will be spending six months in Australia, living with Jessica Hodgetts’ family. Hodgetts has spent the last six months in Holyoke as an exchange student, staying with the Ferguson family.
According to John Ayoub, administrator at Melissa Memorial Hospital, Feb. 8 has been set as day one for admitting patients at the new hospital facility located at 1001 E. Johnson St.
Victoria Timm was recently presented a certificate of recognition as the local Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
Jan. 7, 1993
With the whole world as his campus, Todd Tuell just completed a semester at sea. Approximately 500 college students boarded the S.S. Universe in Vancouver, Canada, on Sept. 12, enrolled in the Semester at Sea program. Academically sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh, the program is administered through a cooperative arrangement with the Institute for Shipboard Education.
Precipitation for the complete year of 1992 in Holyoke amounted to 15.47 inches. This compares to the 1991 moisture report of 19.98 inches.
Fifty Years Ago
Jan. 4, 1968
Elaine’s Beauty Salon, which had been operated by Elaine Weber for some time, was recently closed. The business was located in the room adjoining Plains Liquors on the south.
The Imperial Republican has been sold by Mrs. Ruth S. Naylor, widow of the late J.C. Naylor, to Loral Johnson, who has been a member of the newspaper’s staff for more than 15 years.
Ronald H. Morgan has joined the staff of Highline Electric Association as office manager, a position held by Robert R. Goldenstein prior to his promotion to association manager last September.
Double-cropping is beginning to move from deep in Dixie to states far above the Mason-Dixie line. Varieties and hybrids which get off to faster starts and mature earlier, planters which enable planting in even the trashiest conditions and harvesting techniques which bring the crops off earlier have been moving the double-cropping system northward.
Seventy-Five Years Ago
Jan. 7, 1943
As a result of the lowering of exemptions, many more persons are now subject to the federal income tax than before, and for the calendar year 1942 it is estimated that more than 35 million persons will file federal income tax returns. To the large number of persons now subject to the federal income tax who have never reported income before for federal tax purposes, an understanding of the law and applicable regulations is of prime importance.
Operation of the point system of rationing will become effective in February. “Point rationing” is a system of rationing a group of related or similar commodities which may be substituted for one another in actual use. It provides a fairer and better system of rationing foods such as canned goods and meats. Each person will have exactly the same number of points to “spend” during each ration period, and point values will be identical in every store in the country. Possession of points merely entitles the holder to buy his share; he must pay for the rationed merchandise, as usual, in dollars and cents.
Erection of a four-crypt mausoleum, the order for which was placed some time ago by W.E. Heginbotham, was completed yesterday at the Holyoke cemetery, and the body of John Heginbotham was removed from its lot and placed in the mausoleum.