Western Colorado is known for fruit production, especially in the area of Palisade. In the past there were a variety of orchards spread throughout our region. Once the land was irrigated agriculture picked up quickly and by 1892 there were quite a few fruit growers in the valley. Peach, apricot, apple, and cherry trees were plentiful […]

In the late 1890’s and early 1900’s mining was an important part of the economy of the western United States. Several coal mines operated in the Grand Valley and western Colorado’s role in the mining industry was just beginning to emerge. During this time in Eastern Utah a rare mineral called Gilsonite was being mined. […]

    No one will accuse early Grand Junction of being Tombstone or Dodge City, but early issues of the Grand Junction News reveal that the Grand Valley had its share of Old West crime. On November 25, 1882, the News reported that William Wencel of Grand Junction was robbed and shot to death in […]

The Gateway area is home to a variety of historical and archaeological sites. If you travel through the region you’ll probably notice a variety of structures related to mining, ranching, and homesteading. Divide Road will take you up above Unaweep Canyon and through the Uncompahgre National Forest. If you look off to the side of Divide […]

Are you safe on the internet?  Could you be safer?  Attend an upcoming class at the Central Library to increase your awareness of the most common risks, get fluent in the lingo of internet security (e.g., phishing, malware), be able to identify online scams and frauds,  and learn common-sense techniques to protect yourself and your computer.  Although this […]