Historical Commission Corner
In this month's Historical Commission Corner, we're taking a look at Superior’s early Town Halls. The original small frame building at 206 W. Coal Creek Drive is assumed to have been constructed in the late 19th or early 20th century, which is consistent with the town’s founding and incorporation. It served as Superior's town office and volunteer fire station. The original town hall underwent at least one renovation in its lifetime, depicted in the photo, which was a relocation of the fire bell from a belfry to a bell tower adjacent to the building.
 Before and after photos for Superior's Town Hall renovation. Both images were sourced from collections with the Historical Commission.
Needing more space, Superior’s citizens and Fire Department volunteers worked to build a new structure. Gladys Forshee recalls how the town residents banded together and built the brick successor to the original frame structure, which was torn down in 1971. One local fellow worked at Coors in Golden and secured a donation of new surplus lumber for construction from William Coors himself. Gladys’ husband, Larry, trucked the materials from Golden to Superior. Gladys and the other members of the fire department’s women's auxiliary, cleverly named the Flamettes, helped with construction and fundraising.
Their hard work made the brick building standing at 206 W. Coal Creek, which served as the town hall and fire station after 1972 until the current town hall was constructed. When the Cherryvale Fire Department was contracted to provide fire protection, the Superior volunteer department was disbanded. The structure now houses the Town's maintenance department. The fire bell is still on display near the building's entrance.
For those who have seen the jail cell on display in Grasso Park, here is an interesting side note: that steel cell was once in the original town hall. It was probably most often used when one of the locals needed to sleep off the night after visiting one of Superior’s two saloons. It was also an attractive place for local children to play.
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Commission News
The Superior Historical Commission continues taking steps toward finishing an interim museum in the Grasso Park Bungalow. Commission members, volunteers and town staff will pick up the pace over the next two months and we'll keep everyone up to date on the progress.
Dalton Valette is now a full-fledged member of the Commission. We look forward to adding his enthusiastic perspective to our group. Interestingly, Dalton participated in the second-grade field trips to the Historical Museum some years ago.
We thank Pamela Hiivila and Robin Russell for their recent donations to the Museum collection. Pamela generously donated an antique washstand. These pieces were used at a time before running water was common in homes. A pitcher and wash bowl were used for washing when there was not a faucet and sink. It will eventually assume an important place in the museum.
Robin also donated pieces of riding hardware that were part of a saddle that burned up in the Marshall Fire. These remnants include stirrups and saddle buckles, part of the rig used while riding Willie, the now famous horse rescued by the Deputy Sheriff during the fire.
Did You Know That:
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Denver’s LoDo Market Street was originally known as Hollady Street for the founder of the Overland Stage Company? When the respected business leader learned his namesake street had become home for many houses of prostitution, he asked his name be removed.
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The Colorado locations named Antero (Mt. Antero, Antero Reservoir, etc.) were named in recognition of a Ute chief, one of the signatories of a treaty in 1878?
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When P.T. Barnum’s circus train was losing its battle with heavy snow on Boreas Pass back in 1898, elephants were employed to push the train over the pass to Breckenridge?
The Historical Commission currently has two vacancies, and applicants are welcome. For more information, contact Jennifer Garner, town staff, at 303-499-3675, Larry Dorsey, commission chair, at 303-499-1969 or click on the button below to apply.
Text by Larry Dorsey, proofed by Dorothy Mahan.
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