Redstone Historical Society

10/13/2026

First reviews on Darrell Munsell’s newly released book (on a totally new topic) Architects of Authoritarianism, are out: “Munsell’s revelatory history of the Claremont Institute pulls back the curtain on one of the most influential organizations in American politics and a driving force of the MAGA ascendency. A must read for anyone seeking to understand the hidden forces behind Trump’s agenda.”

The eye-opening story of how a conservative think tank of political philosophers dedicated to the founding principles of the United States became the base of...

10/11/2026

Sheep cross a bridge spanning the Colorado River at Bair Ranch on the east end of Glenwood Canyon, returning from pastures on the north side of the river to those on the south side. Originally owned by Frank W. Allen, the property was purchased in 1919 by George Dunsdon, George Mayne, and Joseph Bair, though it continued to be known as Allen Ranch. Dunsdon became the sole owner in 1935 and held the property until 1946, when he sold it to J. Golden Bair. The property has been known as Bair Ranch ever since.

10/04/2026

The town of Sunlight, originally named Sunshine, was located at the southern end of Four-mile Creek and opened its first coal mine in 1883. Immigrant workers from Italy, Greece, Austria and Mexico came to the coal camp to work in the mine and many of their descendants still live in the Roaring Fork Valley. Sunlight's coal production played an important role in the valley's development, providing coal used to smelt silver ore mined in Aspen. As the saying goes, "Without coal, silver is just another shiny rock!" In 1887, the Colorado Midland Railroad hauled coal from Sunlight to the coke ovens at Cardiff, south of Glenwood Springs. Colorado Fuel & Iron took control of the Sunlight Mine from 1892-1893 and again from 1897- 1904. Shortly after the second take-over, on September 3, 1987, there was an explosion in the Mine that killed twelve miners. The definitive cause of the blast was never determined, although, there had been constant complaints from the miners of excessive methane gas pockets. The mine continued operating on a smaller scale until World War One.

10/02/2026

Great article in The Sopris Sun by CVEPA's Dale Will https://soprissun.com/cvepa-views-chipeta-target-and-the-transcendent-power-of-forgiveness/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUr8MBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6UXLr9lc7mSKbM2cDY5VeK03sJmht8klNkaAF73hYuCyJKf9LccCI7lfqvqQ_aem_I0S5NCqKyn__30dIdBW_CQ

Of all the remarkable characters who have touched the history of western Colorado, none intrigues me more than Chipeta. The bride of Ouray, she has

09/09/2026

MEMORIAL GATHERING Redstone Park, September 12 at 1pm Carrie McDonald, 1941-2025
Carrie’s sons, Tom and Bill McDonald, return to Redstone to share memories of Carrie’s years in Redstone,1987 -2004.

09/08/2026

09/07/2026

Many thanks to the folks that came to check-out the first step to curate the DeMaestri-Durrett Cottage Museum this Labor Day weekend.

09/04/2026

Cottage Museum OPEN HOUSE - Saturday, September 5 & Sunday September 6, 1pm - 3pm FEATURING 2pm SATURDAY VILLAGE WALKING TOUR & SUNDAY 2pm COKE OVEN TOUR ... Donations encouraged!