Read Reflections from the Past I here.
By Billy Willett
The theater and all connecting businesses were sold to Albert Petry. Herman left the theater but had trained the oldest son to operate the projectors so the family continued to find employment there. Making friends in Pagosa was one of the easiest things to accomplish. It was a perfect place for young boys to
explore every bit of their imagination. Let’s see if, with a little imagination, I can paint a picture of the way Pagosa looked before the huge land boom and the influx of wealthy city slickers. Seasons come and go and nothing ever stays the same, landmarks disappear , and memories are all that we can call our
own. Traveling down US highway 160 headed east from Durango as you entered the city limits there was a hill with a steep downgrade into town. This hill was known as Putt Hill to all the locals. On the south side of the highway was a slate hill and a coal shed which supplied fuel for the narrow gauge train that carried lumber in and out of the area. This was a favorite playground for young boys to play Cowboys and Indians.
Putt Hill is the hill in the background
Proceeding on down towards town about 100yds was petroleum storage plant, a small gas station and a motel. This storage caught fire one night and was fought with local volunteers and no fire truck, only a wagon with spools of hose. Continuing down highway 160 on the south side was an old red barn on the edge of McCabe creek. One of the Early pioneers of the area lived there and rented mules and horses to those needing pack animals. Ed Speelman became a very good friend of my family. My brothers and I loved to sit for hours listening to him tell stories of Pagosa’s wild west days. It was Ed who taught me to tie a fly and choose just the right bait to lure those rainbow trout. One of his favorite baits was the little red wiggly worms found growing in his horse manure pile behind the barn. A favorite memory of mine is taking a trip with Ed by pack mule to the top of Treasure falls, visiting an old mining town of Summitville, and then camping at Born’s lake. Read Part 3 tomorrow
Ed Speelman & deer
