75 years ago: “Members of the San Juan Basin Archaeology Society and their families and guests drove to the Blue Mesa eight miles south of Durango, on the west side of the Animas, and did a bit of exploring followed by a picnic. They inspected the ruins on the mesa.”

50 years ago: “Directors of Durango School District 9-R had planned a short session. But they sat for nearly three hours after they were confronted with letters asking for acceptance of retirement from the Buckley brothers – Warren, principal of Durango High School, and Wendell, principal of Smiley Junior High School. Both men asked to be released from their contracts effective Oct. 1, 1965, which, since they are twins, puts them past their 60th birthday and eligible for retirement.”

25 years ago: “The board and administration at La Plata County Hospital have a written plan that calls for eliminating several acute care departments and cutting back staff and hours in more departments. Nearly 80 jobs would be eliminated if the plan, a ‘financial tool,’ were implemented today, according to the report obtained by The Durango Herald.”

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