50 years ago: “Damage was estimated at $7,500 after a butane stove exploded and fire destroyed the home of Gene Folsom six miles east of Durango on Florida Road. Folsom was outside the home when his 2-year-old son started shouting inside. The butane stove had caught on fire. He had just rushed in and took the boy outside when the stove exploded, spreading flames.”

25 years ago: “The Board of Education approved $1.5 million in construction at three schools this fall. The immediate renovations and construction through 1990 are needed because of overcrowded conditions in the district. The construction for 1989 includes: three classrooms at Park, five classrooms at Sunnyside, and the addition of two science classrooms at DHS.”

Most items in this column are taken from Herald archives, Center of Southwest Studies and Animas Museum. Their accuracy may not be verified.