Branson (Colorado, that is)

     We had our first snow today.  It was a little over an inch and was melted from the streets and side walks when we woke up.  The sun is out and the temperature rising so it will probably be mostly gone by afternoon.
     At the farmers' market this summer we heard about a Christmas crafts fair in Branson. Colorado and have been making plans to have a booth there.  We found out that Branson has a population of about 70 people and wondered if it was worth attending.  So we took a day trip to check out the town.
     Branson is about 50 miles from Trinidad.  We drove east and then south across the high plains almost to the border with New Mexico.  Everytime I drive in eastern Colorado and western Kansas I wonder what it was like crossing the high plains in a wagon.  My great grandmother did with two small children.  They went from Missouri to Utah and then back to Nebraska.  I covered in an hour what they would have covered in a week.
     Arriving in Branson, we were at a loss for finding any information, so we went to the Post Office.  The post-mistress was very helpful and provided with the information that we needed.  She also told us the part of the crafts fair would be held in the town library which was the old Catholic church.  Below is a picture the library.

 

 

     We were also able to visit the old jail (shown below).  It was built in the early 20th century and once held two prisoners, both on charges of drunkeness.  But they escaped

 



    Since there are no restaurants in Bransom we decided to continue south and west to Raton, NM.  We passed through the towns of Folsum (home of the Folsum man and Folsum point) and Capul1n (home of a volcano).  We didn't stop as we were getting hungry but plan to return soon.  Somewhere between Branson and Folsum I took this picture of the fall colors.

    Regarding the crafts fair, I contacted the lady in charge of the Homecoming celebration and got a booth.  She told us that hundreds of people attend from all over the southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.  So we hope to have a success in Branson.  I guess we will miss Andy Williams.  Maybe we'll take a CD with us.

Photos of Courthouse Re-Dedication

Above is a photo of the front of the Las Animas County Courthouse.

A smaller statue of Liberty at the corner of the courthouse, refurbished for the re-dedication

 This is the original cornerstone from 1912.  New re-dedicated cornerstone is about the same size and style.

This photo shows the side of the courthouse.  The steps are undergoing rebuilding.

An Afternoon of Celebrations

     A month or so ago, we attended two celebrations on one Friday afternoon.  First we went down to Main Street for the Trinidad High School Miners Homecoming Parade.  It was pretty much what you would expect -- fire truck with sirens, police cars, marching bands (two - both high school and middle school), floats, pretty young ladies and handsome young gentlemen as homecoming attendants and a very good turn out of adults and young people.  Oh yes, most importantly, candy was thrown from the floats to the children on the sidewalks.  I suspect that most of the adults were alumni of the high school.  It was very enjoyable and somewhat nostalgic.  Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera.
     The second celebration was the Centennial Re-Dedication Ceremony for the Las Animas County Courthouse.  It began with the High School Band playing followed by the opening ceremonies.  Local Masons and state Masonic officials were present for the re-dedication of the new cornerstone.  Building of the courthouse began in 1912.  It was built by local stonecutters and masons (many from Italy) from a local sandstone.  I was told by a tour guide that the courthouse was built entirely without cement.  The stones are simply fitted together without cement.  Inside the courthouse is a wonderful wood carving illustrating the history of Las Animas County.
     The Masonic Re-Dedication was very formal and very impressive.  I have never experienced anything quite like it.  The new cornerstone was examined by the Masons with a square, a compass, and a plumb line and was found to be square, true and plumb and, thus, acceptable.  It was then anointed with corn, oil, and wine.  And finally its placement in the building was approved.
    The contents of the original time capsule from 1912 were presented and were on display.  The contents of the new time capsule (2012) were presented.  The ceremonies closed with remarks from dignitaries of the county.
    As an interesting sidenote, the gentleman who discovered the position and who uncovered the original time capsule was a mason whose grandfather helped bury the original capsule.