Students in District No. 79 from the early 1910s are pictured from left, front row, Etta Carpenter, Mary Wagner, Lloyd Fruits, Albert Carpenter, Harry Wagner, Herman Slack, Kenneth Kilbourn and Vey Kilbourn; and back row, Trilby Kilbourn, Carrie Carpenter, teacher Miss Minnie Wright, Edith Carpenter, Burl Slack, Neal Wagner, Harl Wagner and Cyril Wagner. District 79 was established in 1887 when this county was still part of Weld County and originally included the town of Amherst and the area to the west and south. It was consolidated with Amherst and Liberty Bell school districts on Aug. 20, 1917, to form Amherst Consolidated District No. 2, with an enrollment of 122 students. At this time, a branch of Phillips County High School was established in the new district to serve ninth and 10th grades. — Source: Phillips County Museum
Peekin' into the Past
Five Years Ago — Sept. 17, 2015
Months of planning will all come together this weekend, Sept. 18-20, when Pedal the Plains rolls into town, bringing 1,000 cyclists to Holyoke, Julesburg and Sterling.
At its regular meeting Sept. 9, Phillips County Board of Commissioners voted to change the current Road and Bridge operation from three separate districts and foremen to operating as a single department with a Road and Bridge manager.
Starting Oct. 5, Holyoke Pharmacy, located in the southwest corner of Holyoke Marketplace, will be taken over by Mike Bemis, RPh, and the pharmacy name will be changed to Bemis Drug. Bemis, who also owns Abts Express Pharmacy in Holyoke, announced Sept. 15 that he will be closing Abts Express in Holyoke but will continue to operate his Abts Pharmacy in Julesburg.
Holyoke Masonic Lodge No. 81 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons celebrates its 125th year of masonry in Holyoke. The local lodge was chartered Sept. 16, 1890.
Ten Years Ago — Sept. 16, 2010
Seaboard Foods looks forward to welcoming Butterball into its family of brands after its parent company, Seaboard Corporation, closes its agreement to purchase a 50% interest in Butterball LLC, in partnership with the Maxwell Farms group. This closing is expected to occur on or before Dec. 10.
At 85 years old, Deane Anderson recently debuted his very own website featuring his book called “How to Beat the Pants Off Your Competition.” The website highlights dozens of promotional ideas for business owners.
Twenty-Five Years Ago — Sept. 21, 1995
Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission will conduct a public hearing on Sept. 27 to receive comments about proposed calling area expansions. Local calling between Sterling and Holyoke will be one of the recommendations considered.
Dr. Kent Roberson of Family Practice of Holyoke was recently notified that he successfully completed the American Board of Family Practice certification examination and is certified as a diplomate. Medical specialty certification in the United States has been a voluntary procedure, with many physicians electing to seek formal recognition of their qualifications in their chosen specialty fields by presenting themselves for examination before specialty boards comprised of their professional peers.
Holyoke Police Chief Barry Winckler recently noted that “20 mph when flashing” signs will soon be installed on Interocean Avenue near City Park.
Fifty Years Ago — Sept. 17, 1970
Northeastern Junior College, Sterling, in cooperation with Re-1J school district, Holyoke, will offer a number of credit and noncredit evening courses at Holyoke High School this fall.
A Holyoke chapter of the national club Future Business Leaders of America was formed this month. The club is composed of 26 juniors and seniors who plan to enter the business world. The purpose of FBLA is to develop competent, aggressive business leadership and strengthen the confidence of young men and women in themselves and their work.
Seventy-Five Years Ago — Sept. 20, 1945
The building of Al Claymon which housed his pool hall and cafe on Interocean Avenue was destroyed by fire early this morning from an unknown cause. The fire siren sounded about 3 o’clock, and within a few minutes the Holyoke Fire Department was at the fire, which had enveloped the entire eastern end of the building. The Foster Lumber Company building and yards on the north side of the blaze were in immediate danger, as were the Standard Liquor Store and Shorty’s Barber Shop, new buildings, on the south, and the Butane Propane Service building, which had just recently been remodeled.
Pool players here are heartened by the report that William Schiermeyer will soon open a pool hall in the former R.N. White building which has recently been used as a roller rink, Mr. Schiermeyer having recently purchased the building. Mr. E.E. Anderson has secured the use of the Legion Hall for his roller skating business.
The matters of keeping the secret of the atomic bomb is one which Americans are doing some thinking about. It will be brought before the security council of the United States sooner or later.