Commanche Crossing Museum

Trip Start Jun 01, 2009
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Trip End Oct 16, 2009


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Flag of United States  , Colorado
Friday, July 10, 2009

Today I checked out the local museum - an establishment that uses the former name of this town.  Apparently when the transcontinental railway was constructed it still required a ferry to connect eastern and western portions.  However, when this obstacle was overcome, the final spike was driven near this town and one of the railway sponsors became a leading citizen of the town and thus the name of the community was changed to Strasburg.

The museum, a collection of heritage and new buildings, houses memorabilia of the turn of the 20th century and has some interesting items on display.  One that caught my eye was a newspaper report of a 1931 (I think) flood that engulfed this area when heavy rains created a wall of water that swept through the local creek beds.  Given that there are no high points to go to, and aware of the higher than normal rainfall this year - I looked around me for possible retreats!

Although I have strong ties to the museum world, I have gained a new respect for the role that these museums play in the local communities.  While minimally staffed, with little curatorial expertise, they tell the story of the pride of achievement that has preceded the current generation.   In our travels, I find it one of the best ways to get a feel for the community.  The conversations I have with the local people who volunteer their time to host, often provide information I could never find on the Internet or in a publication - or for that matter, in more sophisticated establishments!
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