Local History Photo Archive
The Eagle Valley Library District and the Eagle County Historical Society work together to bring you thousands of photographs, artifacts, and many other items from historical Eagle County and the surrounding areas on the Western Slope.
Pages
-
- Fort Arnett
- A William Henry Jackson photograph of Fort Arnett in Red Cliff. Taken around 1880. There are seventeen individuals standing on the rock formation. The American flag is seen flying above the individuals. "After the Meeker Massacre in 1879 the citizens of Red Cliff fearing that the Indians might make further attacks on white settlements decided to build a fort for the protection against the Indians. It was reported that soon after the Meeker Massacre, Chief Colorow commanding a band of renegade Utes were ravaging up the Eagle River. G.J. DaLee was stationed on Horn Silver Mountain as a look out, to give alarm if the Indians were sighted. The Indians were seen several times not far away but never made an attack. What is still standing of the old fort is a natural cliff on the Banks of the Eagle River. Being located on a high point in the center of the town, the citizens decided this the most advantageous spot to build a fort. The building was supervised by a Mr. Arnett, a miner of Red Cliff. This fort was built up about twice as high as it is now, the center was left hallow [sic.], and holes left between the rocks through which to shoot and it was covered with logs. From this fort one can get a plain view of all the surrounding mountains. Soon after the Meeker Massacre, the Utes were moved to reservations in Utah. All that remains of the old fort today is the natural cliff, the built up fort having all fallen off. It is a land mark of historic interest to the people of Red Cliff and the town has erected a flag pole on its summit and a United States flag is displayed at all times." -- History of Eagle County, p.33
-
- Foundation for the Information Center
- The Chambers barn and the foundation for the Information Center in Chambers Park, on the banks of the Eagle River, in October/November 1988. The Chambers horse barn was originally located at the site of the present I-70 interchange on the Chambers Ranch. It was moved to temporary storage in 1981, while the Eagle County Historical Society raised funds for a foundation to be built. It was seated on the foundation in 1984 and opened to the public as a local history museum in 1991. The historic farm house used as the Information Center was donated by Bob Mayne. It was moved from Gypsum to the County Fairgrounds for storage in 1988 while a foundation was built next to the Chambers barn. It was put in place in 1989, undergoing extensive restoration. The Grand opening for the Eagle Valley Regional Visitor Information Center and the Chambers barn museum was held June 19, 1991. The project was ultimately supported by many entities: Town of Eagle, Eagle County, Eagle Valley Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Vail Valley Foundation, State of Colorado, the Eagle County Historical Society, and a State of Colorado Energy Impact Assistance grant, not to mention hours of private citizen volunteer time and contributions.
-
- Four cowboys
- From left to right: Al Smith, John Davison, Frank Doll, and Dave Thomas pose for a photograph. John Davison is holding a wash basin.
-
- Four generations
- "4 generations." Taken in August of 1945. From left to right: Helen Hart Allen, Jean Allen Johnson, Steve Johnson, and May Bryant Hart.