September 2016

Castle Rock Historical Society
and Museum

Admission is Always FREE!!

Forward

The Castle Rock Museum will be closed on Saturday
Sept. 3, 2016
in honor of Labor Day

- Exhibits and Events

Choo Choo! Come check out the
D&RG Railway exhibit

Come learn about the history of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway and walk on the same floor so many folks did over 140 years ago.

The Montezuma - the engine that powered the first train through Castle Rock.

September's Presentation Program

Sept. 8, 2016
Refreshments at 6:45 pm, Presentation at 7:00 pm
Philip S. Miller Library
100 S. Wilcox St. Castle Rock, CO 80104

Please join us on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 for a presentation by Jeff Miller on his book, "Behind the Lines". The book talks about mining engineer, Herbert Hoover's amazing efforts to save the Belgian people from starvation during the German occupation between 1914-18. Miller's grandmother was Belgian and kept a diary of the time and her work with the Resistance and his grandfather worked with Hoover in the first large scale wartime humanitatian effort in history - fascinating story.

For more information contact the Castle Rock Museum
303-814-3164, museum@castlerockhistoricalsociety.org, www.castlerockhistoricalsociety.org.

September's Calendar

Sept. 8, 2016 - Presentation by Jeff Miller on his book, "Behind the Lines".
Sept. 24, 2016 - Walking tour of Downtown Castle Rock. Meet at the Courtyard on Perry between 3rd & 4th at 10:30am.

Visit www.castlerockhistoricalsociety.org for more information on upcoming presentations and exhibits at the museum.

Upcoming............

Oct. 13, 2016 - Local ghost stories by Shaun Boyd of the Douglas County Library.
Nov. 10, 2016 - Presentation about the Arlington Ladies of Arlington National Cemetery and how they serve at funerals for veterans by Lisette Clemons.

History Corner

Ludlow massacre trial in Castle Rock?

It is a little known fact that the Castle Rock courthouse was the sight of a trial involving the 1914 Ludlow massacre. The trial was big news at the time. Stories in the newspaper talk of some Castle Rock citizens attending the trial every day and anxiously awaiting the verdict.
The Ludlow massacre is referring to a battle that broke out on April 20, 1914 at the Ludlow miner's tent colony, near Walsenberg, The miner's were on strike because of the working conditions. The chief owner of the mine was John D. Rockefeller. The Colorado National Guard was sent in to deal with the striking miners. It was reported that the National Guard burned the tent colony, killing over 25 people including women and children who were hiding under a tent. Members of the National Guard were also killed, thus bringing us to the trial. Four men were tried in Castle Rock for killing Major P. P. Lester of the hospital corps of the Colorado National Guard.
The trial was granted a change of venue to Douglas County from Huerfano County because Judge Granby Hillyer (of Huerfano Co.) had a conflict of interest in the case. Also, the Defense felt they could not get a nonprejudicial jury from both Huerfano and Prowers Counties. The trial started in January of 1916 and lasted 3 months. The defendants were acquitted. They had been held in jail for nearly two years awaiting trial.

The Ludlow massacre trial jurors: George Robinson, Charles Breuse, A. R. Howell, G. H. Stewart, Joe Morelli, William Larsen, Charles Dutton, Ray Jones, W. L. Jones, John Eggenberger, John Rothschloss and August Reuter (names do not match order in picture). Picture courtesy of the Douglas County History Research Center at the Phillip S. Miller Library.

- THE 5 W's

Do you recognize this building?

Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?

Last Month's Photo

The Old Douglas County High School
620 Wilcox Street

This rhyolite building was built in 1911 as Douglas County High School. It replaced the red brick building built in 1907 which burned down in 1909. In 1961, with a boom in student population a new Douglas County High School was built on Front Street. The Wilcox building kept grades four through six until the new Castle Rock Elementary was built in 1984. The old High School building is now school district offices for Douglas County. In the mid 20th century an addition of beige brick was added to the front and sides of the building. The original rhyolite exterior can still be seen on the East side.

------- Mark Your Calendars -------

Coming in October

Fundraiser event for Castle Rock Museum

at the

105 West Brewing Company

1043 Park Street, Castle Rock

For the month of October, the staff will donate their tips to the Museum.
So, plan a trip to the 105 West Brewing Company and tip generously.

Everyone is invited to join us on
Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm to help support the Castle Rock Historical Society. Come enjoy some local brews, good food and good company.

- Historical Society News

Castle Rock Historical Society Board

The Castle Rock Historical Society Board meets the first Monday of each month. Meetings are held at the Castle Rock Museum at 5:15pm. All Historical Society members are welcome to attend.

President - Dorothy Kelly
Vice President - Cindy Malone
Secretary - Lynette McNairy
Treasurer - Jim Allamian
Education - Guy Mordeaux
Events and Fundraising - Open
Historian - Open
Asst. Sec./Treas. - Suzie Perry

Looking for something to do? We have just the thing for you. There are a few open positions on the Historical Society Board. Please consider joining this wonderful group.

Volunteers

Thank you to Claudia Belmessieri for providing the refreshments at the August presentation.

Thanks to Kent Brandebery for helping out at the museum once again.

Thank you to Bill Conz for painting the long bench in the museum backyard. The school groups will appreciate it.

If you would like to volunteer for refreshments for October, please call the museum 303-814-3164.

Volunteer Opportunities

Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum

Member Meeting Refreshments â€“ Sign up to bring and/or coordinate members to bring refreshments to membership meetings.

Tour Planner and Organizer â€“ The society and museum plan visits to local sites related to exhibits at the museum or tours to sites of interest to the historically minded.

Historic Marker Manager â€“ The Historical Society has initiated the Historic Marker Program in Castle Rock. The manager would keep current markers up to date and work to add sites to the program.

Docent â€“ The museum can use docents to cover for vacation time for museum staff. Docents conduct tours of the museum.

Commemorative Brick Courtyard

The courtyard at the Castle Rock Museum is continuing to expand, stop by and purchase your own commemorative brick for yourself, a loved one, a business, or even your most cherished animal companion.

- In the Gift Shop

Looking for a unique gift? Come down to the Castle Rock Museum's gift shop for all your historic Castle Rock and Douglas County gifts. We are stocked in 2016 calendars, books about Castle Rock and Douglas County history. Also, a handful of children's railroad themed toys, and a limited number of local Castle Rock postcards.

New Books in the Gift Shop:

The Castle Rock Museum provided some photos that were used in both of these books.

"Rich People Behaving Badly"

by Dick Kreck

"Take a trip back in time to revel in the scandal, murders, infidelities, financial misdeeds and just plain bad behavior from Colorado's past." The book includes Diamond Jack a notorious Chicago gangster laying low in Douglas County.

"Lost Road Courses"

by Martin Rudow

This book brings the cutting-edge cars, legendary drivers, classic races and all the thrilling action from north America's classic road courses to life including the Continental Divide Raceways which was right here in Castle Rock.

For those who like to plan ahead.... the 2017 History of Douglas County Calendars have arrived.

You can now support CRHS by shopping on Amazon!!

Do you shop on Amazon? A lot of people do. So, how's about you help out the CRHS by going to smile.amazon.com when you do you're online shopping.

Youâ€™ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the CRHS. To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device, search and select Castle Rock Historical Society and begin shopping and supporting CRHS.

Recycle - Save those aluminum cans!!

The museum collects and recycles aluminum cans to raise money for matching grants. Bring those cans to the museum and use the green container next to the bathroom. Aluminum cans only please. Anything else will be removed by the recycling company. Help the environment and raise a little money for the museum.
Many thanks to those who have already contributed!

Mission: The Castle Rock Historical Society operates the Castle Rock museum, celebrates, educates, and brings together people interested in the preservation of the heritage of the Castle Rock, Colorado area.

Support the Castle Rock Historical Society. Join as a member, make a donation, or sell an item on eBay.

Like us on Facebook

Association of Northern Front Range Museums

Opportunities to Contribute

You know we need you!! Thank you to those who help with hands, time and money. Whatever your skill is, it can help the community in your historical little town of Castle Rock.
To find out how you can help email president@castlerockhistoricalsociety.org .

Castle Rock Museum Hours
Wed. - Fri 12:00p.m. to 5:00p.m.
Sat. 11:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.