By Eilene Lyon Losing a Parent I abruptly abandoned the blogosphere a couple weeks ago. Usually I give a little notice that I won’t be reading, commenting, or posting. I'm officially back now. About ten years ago, my mother began exhibiting signs of dementia. For the past six, she has lived in memory care in... Continue Reading →
The Picketwire
By Eilene Lyon First, the name. Legend has it that an unauthorized expedition of Spaniards led by Antonio Gutierrez de Humaña and Francisco Leyva de Bonilla, came to what is now southern Colorado in 1594 (a much-disputed legend at that). On their way home, Humaña murdered Bonilla in order to make off with all the... Continue Reading →
Trains Bound for Glory
By Eilene Lyon I would have guessed that by 1890 or the early 20th century every community in America would have a church of some type, but that was not the case. Whistle-stop towns sprang up along the proliferating railroad lines, particularly in the west. In them, saloons far outnumbered churches. The idea of railcars... Continue Reading →
Bed to Bench
Week 40: #52 Ancestors – Preservation By Eilene Lyon Back in the early 20th century, my great-grandparents, Clara Pearl (Ransom) and Sterling Price Davis, pooled their resources and bought a farm near Moscow, Idaho. I’ve written about this beautiful property several times before. The current owner, Kathy, who bought the property from Clara and Sterling’s... Continue Reading →
History Colorado Center
By Eilene Lyon On my recent trip to Denver, I spent a couple hours at the History Colorado Center museum. They had a mix of long-term and temporary exhibits to visit. Unfortunately, I was too early for the Sand Creek Massacre exhibit that began on November 19. As I write about Colorado pioneers, I find... Continue Reading →
The Mrs. Problem
Week 44: #52 Ancestors – Shadows By Eilene Lyon My current WIP is a book about Colorado pioneers, told in light of the cemeteries they are buried in. One I visited on our way back from Denver is called Cleora Cemetery, near Salida in Chaffee County. It is considered a “boot hill” cemetery. People buried... Continue Reading →
A Capital Visit
By Eilene Lyon I recently visited Denver to research my current work-in-progress at the Denver Public Library. Fortunately, a good friend was able to offer a place to stay, not far from a light-rail station. For $10.50, I could ride trains and buses all day and leave behind the hassle and expense of driving and... Continue Reading →
The Palace Restaurant–RIP
By Eilene Lyon This is the second in my series about historic buildings on Main Ave. in Durango, Colorado. I earlier covered the unique Durango Depot. Few buildings remain in the 500 block of Main Ave. from Durango’s earliest days, and this area was known for many years as the seedier side of town (south... Continue Reading →
Frémont’s Missouri Misstep
By Eilene Lyon August 30, 2022 On this date in 1861, Major General John C. Frémont, commander of the Department of the West, issued a proclamation declaring martial law in the State of Missouri, and that those in open rebellion against the Union would forfeit their personal property, including enslaved persons, who would be emancipated.... Continue Reading →