Baca County History

by the Plainsman Herald

Celebrating the Colorful History of Baca County, Colorado


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  • FAMILY WELL DISPUTE: by George Chatham

    By George Chatham After my grandparents, Fred and Ethel Chatham, were married April 14, 1914, there was a “dug-out” build on Fred’s homestead; but exactly when it was built is in question. Apparently there was a well dispute and the couple lived for a time with her Father, Daniel Chenoweth, who was a widower. According…

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  • How My Grandparents Met: by George Chatham

    By George Chatham My Great-Uncle Elmer Chatham filed a “homestead” claim to 320 acres on South Horse Creek, located 7 1/2 miles north and 2 miles west of Springfield. That claim was proved January 12, 1917. It was on this homestead that I grew-up. Because Fred Chatham, my grand-father, wasn’t old enough to file a…

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  • My Roots in Baca County Colorado: By George Chatham

    NOTE: I would like to welcome George Chatham to Bacacountyhistory.com. Happy Reading. By George Chatham My roots in Baca County go back three generations. My Grand-dad and his brother, Fred L. Chatham and Elmer Chatham came together to Baca County sometime around 1910 or 1911. The exact date we aren’t sure. According to family members…

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  • The Old Stone Schoolhouse in Springfield

    “…the handiwork on that building – during those times – defies description.” -Aug Blanchat We’ve talked many times about the old Springfield School our social media groups and how it was built in 1889 by the Swiss Stonemason Joseph Blanchat.   This is an update to the previous blog.  The building served as the elementary and…

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  • A 2014 Thank You for Telling Your Stories

    In this era when people expect information at their fingertips and instant response to everything, our local history,  local stories and local collections which are so rich in history and cultural heritage are increasingly inaccessible.  Issues such as budget cuts and staff reductions are the usual culprits but part of this inaccessibility is also occurring…

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  • So Where is the Broomcorn Capital of the World?

    NOTE: The original article was written in 2014, We have since updated (2023) and added more history of this forgotten industry. What is Broomcorn? I have had several conversations about recording local history as we are doing with Bacacountyhistory.com.  Anytime the topic of broomcorn  or broom corn has come up with someone not from Baca…

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  • Orville Ewing’s Travels: The Animals

    Before we head into Orville’s travels during the 1940’s let’s take a peek at the the animal menagerie which served as Orville’s traveling companions over the years. This is the group that provided quite a background for those wishing to take pictures with him. The ox, burros, donkeys and/or mules were obviously used to pull…

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