75 years go: “The smoke haze which lay on the mountains has not been properly accounted for, though two forest fires in this locality may have contributed.” One fire was reported in the Arboles area and the other in the Montezuma forest at the head of the Mancos River.

50 years ago: “Fred E. Mang Jr., photographer on the Wetherill Mesa Archeological project, and a resident of Durango, is the author of a feature article, ‘Portraying the Past’ in the July issue of The Professional Photographer. In the article, Mang explains the techniques he has used for photographing thousands of pieces of pottery and other objects excavated from the ruins of Mesa Verde National Park by archeologists.”

25 years ago: “An anonymous donor who said he wanted to help the women and children of southwestern Colorado gave $5,000 in cash to the volunteers of America Southwest Safehouse. … The money would be used to buy food, shelter, counseling and clothing at the safehouse, which is located at an undisclosed address for the safety of the women and children in the shelters.

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