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November 2014


Castle Rock Historical Society 
and Museum

Admission is Always FREE!!

- Exhibits and Events

Mencenberg Quarry Tour

ONE TIME OPPORTUNITY
RESERVATIONS APPRECIATED

 

In conjunction with our newest exhibit at the museum Tom Smith from Douglas County Split Stone Company of Sedalia will be leading a tour of the Mencenberg Quarry, the last operational rhyolite quarry in Douglas County. Saturday, November 8, 2014. Please meet at the Castle Rock Museum located at 420 Elbert Street Castle Rock, Co. 80104, at 11:00 am for carpooling. Tour ends at 1:00 pm. Contact the Castle Rock Museum for more information (303) 814-3164 crmuseum@comcast.net

Visit the Newest Exhibit to the Museum


"Building with Rhyolite"

Test your knowledge of local rocks. See tools used in the quarrying and cutting of Castle Rock's remarkable stone-Rhyolite. From 1892-1906 millions of tons of rhyolite was mined (quarried) and shipped all along the Front Range. See current pictures of the more than thirteen dozen rhyolite, mansions, churches, and buildings from Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Denver, and Cheyenne, Wyoming. 

 

 

November's Free Presentation

Join us on Thursday November 13, 2014 for a presentation from Bob Easterly on his book  â€œBy an Act of Congress”  A story on one of Colorado’s earliest pioneers Lewis Henry Easterly (Bob’s great-grandfather) an Illinois school teacher who moved west to the new state of Colorado in 1878 and lived in Douglas County.

 

November 13, 2014
Refreshments served at 6:45 pm, Presentation at 7:00 pm.
Philip S. Miller Library
100 S. Wilcox St. Castle Rock, Co. 80104

- November's Calendar

  • November 8, 2014 - Tour of the Mensenberg Quarry southeast of Castle Rock. 

  • November 13, 2014 -  Castle Rock Historical Society's FREE Presentation from Bob Easterly on his book "By an Act of Congress" 

- THE 5 W's

Do you know about this present day historical location?
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?
Come into the museum for the answers to these questions.

- History Corner

Evolution of a Star

It was 1936 when the Untied States was experiencing the Great Depression and the western plains "Dust Bowl". A poor economy was fueling the residents of Castle Rock to think of ways to get people to come to town. It's been written that the idea for building the star was originally from Palmer Lake, who was looking at building a star in their community.  George P. Stewart owned and donated the land that was "Castle Rock" for the star to be built upon. The forty foot steel rods were paid for by donations from the Town Council and volunteer fireman carried them up to the top and welded them together. With about 100 light bulbs the star was lit every night during the holiday season from 1936 to 1941. During WWII the lighting of the star was considered a luxury and was dark for the next four years.  On August 14, 1945, after winning the war, the star was lit in the form of a "V" symbolizing victory and has continued to be lit during the holiday season every year since.  After thirteen years of sun, rain, wind and snow, the star was no longer safe to light. The fire department once again carried up all the materials to construct a bigger, brighter and stronger star, so in 1949 the new 50 foot star was lit. It wasn't until 1965 that the first Starlighting ceremony was held in front the Douglas County Courthouse and included local speakers, choirs, and a parade. One year later the poem "The Star of Castle Rock" was written and published in the local newspaper. After the 1978 tragic fire that burnt down the courthouse the ceremony continued on the "courthouse square" for another 21 years. In support of our troops during the Gulf War the star was lit in 1991.  Once again, in 1996, due to years of weathering the star was rewired to make it more durable. In 2000 the date of Starlighting was set to the Saturday before Thanksgiving and has remained the same through the following years.  The star was lit from September 11, 2001 to October 11, 2001 in support of our country after the terrorist attacks. This years Starlighting will be held on November 22 and the festivities will include carriage rides, hot chocolate, live entertainment, the 3rd annual opening of the Rink at the Rock Ice skating, fireworks with synchronized music on 97.7 FM, and of course Santa. 

- Historical Society News

Lionel Oberlin, the first Director of the Castle Rock Museum, has moved to Seattle to be near his daughter, Wendy. He has an apartment at the Emeritus Senior Living Center.  His new address is

805 4th Ave. N. #254
Seattle, Wa. 98109 
I am sure he would love to get a card from his many old friends.

-In Our Community

 Hurry into Douglas County High School...

Only a few days remain to view "Every Necessary Care and Attention": George Washington and Medicine. This traveling exhibit is located in the DCHS library and will be open to viewing through November 6, 2014. It explores the story of George Washington's own health and examines the way in which he sought to safeguard the health and wellness of those under his care. 

 

New to the gift shop at the Castle Rock Museum

"Chronicles of Douglas County Colorado"

Join the Castle Rock Writers for a journey through the history of this land and the diverse legacy left behind by those who made it their home.


 

A big THANK YOU to John Paulson from Lost Coffee for supplying the wonderful coffee for our tour of the Santa Fe Quarry.


Colorado Gives Day Is Approaching!!

 

December 9, 2014 will be the date for this years Colorado Gives donation drive. Please support the Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum by donating. 

Looking for unique Christmas gifts this year? Come down to the Castle Rock Museum's gift shop for all your historic Castle Rock and Douglas County gifts. We are stocked in 2015 calendars, Robert L. Lowenberg's book "CASTLE ROCK A Grass Roots History", the wonderful holiday CD "A Castle Rock Christmas", a handful of children's railroad themed toys, and a limited number of local Castle Rock postcards. 

Recycle - Save those aluminum cans!! A HUGE thank you to those who have been donating cans!!

The museum collects and recycles aluminum cans to raise money for matching grants. Bring those cans to the museum and use the green container next to the bathroom. Aluminum cans only please. Anything else will be removed by the recycling company. Help the environment and raise a little money for the museum. 

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Mission: The Castle Rock Historical Society operates the Castle Rock museum, celebrates, educates, and brings together people interested in the preservation of the heritage of the Castle Rock, Colorado area.
Support the Castle Rock Historical Society. Join as a member, make a donation, or sell an item on eBay.

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Association of Northern Front Range Museums
 

Opportunities to Contribute

You know we need you!! Thank you to those who help with hands, time and money. Whatever your skill is, it can help the community in your historical little town of Castle Rock.
To find out how you can help email president@castlerockhistoricalsociety.org .
Copyright © 2014 Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum, All rights reserved.


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