Rumors, Organic Pest Control, Kids’ Clothing, Music, and a Fire on Lookout Mountain

*Golden Eye Candy – Frank Hanou – Hope Comes with the Dawn – click to enlarge*

The Rumor Mill

*Steve Schaefer, the handsome. debonair owner of Meyer Hardware – photo by Dave Powers – click to enlarge*

Colorado Transcript, July 14, 1966
There’s a young salesman on the Avenue who already is on his way to becoming a successful businessman like his Grandfather Joe Meyer and his Dad Harold Schaefer–his name is Steven Schaefer…he can find the product for you and give a most effective sales talk…

The rumor mill has been churning furiously for the past couple of days, saying that Meyer Hardware was closing. Well, it’s true: Steve Schaefer plans to retire. The store was started by his grandparents in 1945, and he’s been working there since he was a kid (56 years, in fact). He’s ready to spend more time with his family (which includes 9 grandchildren!). The store will close at the end of September.

Real World Events

8AM-1PM Golden Farmers Market@ Golden Library west parking lot (map)
9AM Garden Talk – Organic Pest & Disease Control @ Golden Community Garden (map)
9:45 and 10:30AM Preschool Nature Nuts @ Lookout Mountain Nature Center (map)

9-11AM Golden Kids Clothes Swap @ Hillside Community Church (map)
Kids outgrow things–constantly! The Golden Kids Clothes Swap is a chance to pick up some new things that fit. You do not need to contribute clothes–just show up at 9AM and take what you need! They have baby clothes, elementary school-sized clothing, and several strollers available.

9:30AM-12PM Walk With a Geologist @ Dinosaur Ridge (map)
10AM-3PM Saturday Train Rides@ Colorado Railroad Museum (map)
10AM-2PM Homestead Open House @ Golden History Park (map)
10AM-3PM Brunch at the Rose @ Buffalo Rose (map)
7:30PM The Treasurer @ Miners Alley Playhouse (map)
Also available for home viewing on-demand!

LIVE MUSIC:
11AM Will Whalen @ Buffalo Rose (Sky Bar Stage – outdoor patio)
11AM Hornbuckle Brothers @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
12PM West Hues @ Golden Mill
4PM Bad Candy @ Wrigley’s
5PM Project X @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
6PM Man of 1000 Songs at Golden Moon Speakeasy
5PM The Reckless Folk @ Goosetown Station
6PM Live Music on the Patio @ Ace Hi Tavern
7PM Sharpened Souls @ Buffalo Rose (Sky Bar Stage – outdoor patio)
8PM Forever in Blue Jeans @ Buffalo Rose (main venue)
9PM Karaoke @ Ace Hi Tavern

Golden History Moment

*Lookout Mountain Park Funicular, from the top looking down at Golden – click to enlarge*

91 Years Ago
The July 17, 1930 Colorado Transcript reported on a fire on Lookout Mountain. A Denver firm had purchased the rails left by the old Lookout Mountain Funicular. The crew decided that the easiest way to bring the rails down to the waiting trucks below would be to push them, and let them roll down the hill.

Unfortunately, the steel rails struck rocks on the way down, producing showers of sparks. The sparks ignited a fire in the dry grass, and soon the mountainside was in flames.

*Lookout Mountain Funicular, viewed from the base and looking toward the top of Lookout Mountain. – click to enlarge*

Golden’s volunteer firemen worked to douse the flames, and three truckloads of boys from the Industrial School came to help. Together, they managed to quell the fire just as it was reaching the trees at the top of the mountain.

Thanks to the Golden History Museum for funding the online collection of historic newspapers.