The Advocate Newsletter Volume40;Number2;March2016

and seemingly forgotten. We look forward to seeing you on the 29th. Sandy Sweeney, President Aurora Historical SocietyHistoricalSocietyOfficersPresident:SandySweeney(303-854-4249)VicePresident:NadineCaldwellSecretary:DollyGrayTreasurer:MichaelLockwoodDirectors:DexterHarding,CarolynBrassellMembership:LarryWilterdinkHospitality:NadineCaldwellHistorian:MichaelLockwoodNewsletter,Website,&Publicity:LynneEvans303-671-0874Program:VacantEducation:VacantWestillneedaprogramdirectorandEducationDirectorforourboard.Ifanyoneisinterested,pleasecontactSandySweeney@303-854-4249orLivelyline@aol.com“Everyonehasastorytotell-Ifyoudon’ttellyours,whowill?”

President’s Letter March, 2016 Our annual meeting and pot luck held in January was greatly enjoyed, and after a brief business meeting was topped off with an outstanding speaker, Marc Shaker, who spoke on the history and redevelopment of the Stanley, an icon in the area. When the construction is finished we will have a meeting there and see for ourselves a development of the future. It is with great sadness I report on the death of Art Caldwell, a long time supporter of the Historical Society and husband of our Vice President Nadine Caldwell. He was buried with honors at Fort Logan on February 24. The Fairmount Heritage Foundation donated some of their Riverside guide books to our membership at the January meeting and many of our members took them home after the meeting. A big thank you to the Foundation and Gary O’Hara, the books were such a treat and full of history of the area. We will be visiting Riverside during the summer and the books will give us a heads up on what we will see. Our regular meeting in March will be at the Aurora History Museum on the 29th at 7pm. The speaker will be Eugene E. Dawson Jr., Ph.D., Social Gerontologist. The subject is to be “Writing the Stories of Your Life”. Bring materials for note taking, as the talk will enable you to leave a legacy for your children and family, improve writing skills, and evoke memories of events that were filed away

Embrace your city, your past

Aurora Historical Society

Aurora, Colorado

OurNextMeetingisattheAuroraHistoryMuseumOnMarch29that7:00PM.ThespeakerwillbeEugeneE.DawsonJr.,Ph.D.,SocialGerontologist.Hewillbetalkingtousabout“WritingtheStoriesofYourLife”

IT’STIMETOPAYYOUR2016MEMBERSHIPDUESOnJanuary1,2016itistimetosendyourduespaymentsforyear2016toLarryWilterdinkat15163E.BethanyPlace,Aurora,CO80014-3804.OurmembershipduescomedueinJanuaryeachyearnowandwiththeNewYeararrivingpleasesendyourduespayment.

MembershipsFamily $15.00Contributing $30.00Business/Corporate $200.00Life $200.00Becauseoftheincreasedcostsofpostageandprinting,weareaskingthatyouadd$5.00toyourmembershipcostifyouwishtohavethenewslettermailedtoyou.*********************************************

RememberingAurora

MichaelLockwood,AuroraHistoricalSociety

AnAuroranative,agraduateoftheAuroraPublicSchools(VaughnElementary,NorthMiddleSchool&AuroraCentralHighSchool)andstilllivinglessthan2milesfromwhereIgrewup,AurorahasbeenabigpartofmylifeeversinceIwasborn.Havinggrownuphere,IhaveseveralmemoriesthatI’dlovetoprovideforyourreadingpleasureviaTheAdvocatenewsletter.ForthoseofyouwhohaveAuroraconnectionsthatgobackasfarasthe1950’stherecollectionspresentedmaybringbackwavesofnostalgia.AndwhileIhave60yearsofmemoriestorelate,ifyouhavesomestoriesyou’dliketoshare,pleasefeelfreetocontactusattheAuroraHistoricalwebsite:www.auroracohistoricalsociety.org

REMEMBERING:TheEast70Drive-In

Rememberyourfirsthome,youknow,theplacewhereyougrewup?Forme,itwasthehouseat12705E.14thAvenue.JustablockoffColfaxandonthecornerofScranton&14th

Avenue.Itwasanicelittle3-bedroomranchthatmyuncleowned.Hehadhislivingareainthebasement,andMom,Dad,mysister&Ihadtheupstairs.Now14thAvenuedidn’tgothroughheadingeastfromScranton,andanycarstravelingeasthadtoturnonTroyStreettogosouth,butforacoupleofhouses,14thcontinuedonuntilitbumpedintothedrivelanesfortheEast70Drive-In.Itwastheperfectplaceforuskidstoplay,inthatsmalldeadend.Notraffictointerruptourwhiffleballsgames.Duringthedaywhenwedidn’thaveschoolwe’drideourbikesupanddownthatEast-70driveandsometimeswe’devengoinsidetheparkingareaandridebetweenthespeakers.Doingthat,however,rantheriskofbeingchasedoffbytheguythatrantheDrive-In.Ohyeah,wedidgotoacoupleofmoviesthere,too.TherewastheHavanaDrive-In,butwhygotherewhentheEast-70wasjustablockaway.Ofcourse,myDadwouldoccasionallycomplainaboutthetraffic,andmysisterrecallsacarortwothatwouldpullupoutsideourhousesosomekidscouldclimbintothetrunkbeforethecarwouldgointotheDrive-In.Nowourhousewasinadirectlinewiththemoviescreen.Butthescreenwasangledjustslightlysowecouldn’tseethemoviefromourstreet.ButsomeoffamiliesuponTroyStreetcould,andtherewererumorsthattheycouldgetfreepassestotheshowsincetheycouldwatchitanyway,albeitwithoutsound.Now,Ireallydon’trememberwhichmoviesIsawthereasakid.Iremembertheplaygroundareaatthefrontsectionofthescreen,andIremembertheconcessionstand,whichwedidn’tgotobecauseDadwasn’tgoingtospendthatkindofmoneyforahotdog(hewasafrugal,depressioneraguyfromKansasandyoudidn’tspendmoneyfoolishly).Dadalsowarnedusnottospillanyofthefoodthatwebroughtfromhomeinthecar.IrememberthespeakersbeingkindofgravellyandhowLARGEthatmoviewas.OnoneoccasionwhenIwentwithourneighborswhohadastationwagonIrememberspreadingoutblanketsandpillowsandlyinginthebackofthecar.Yearslater,mywifeandItookourkidstherenottoolongbeforeitshutdown.Theywerenotimpressed,butthenwhywouldtheybe.TheDrive-inwasspecialforitsera,aswereotherentertainmentvenuesofthepast,likeCelebritySportsCenter.GladIwasabletoexperienceitandonoccasion,whenyou’reouttravelinginsomesmalltownyoucanstillfindaDrive-Inupandoperating,

operating,andgoallnostalgicandspendtheeveninginyourcarwatchingamovie.Timewaitsfornomanandourhistoryeventuallyturnsintosharedmemoriesofpeopleandplaces.Preservationcanhelptokeepthosememoriesalittlemoretangiblesothatwecansharewithfuturegenerations.

ThisarticleappearedintheMarchAHSAdvocatein1981.Wehavefoundmanyofthesearticlesinterestingandworthanotherlook.Sowewillbereprintingsomeinthisandfuturenewsletters.

TedandMargi’sGroceryStoresColfaxAvenueLandmarksfor33years

(Howmanyofuswishedwewouldhavekeptadiary?MargieSwedborgisnoexception.Itisveryhardtorecallnames,addresses,anddatesaccurately.ThisstoryisfromatapedinterviewmadewhenMargiebecamealifememberoftheAuroraHistoricalSociety)

Manypeoplehavecometomile-highDenverasaresultofchestdiseasessuchasasthmaandtuberculosishopingtofindrelief.Sufferingfromasthma,TedSwedborgdecidedtocometoColoradoashisdoctorsuggested.TheSwedborgs,however,decidedthatKansaswasagoodplacetostop. Tedwasfeelingfine.Therewasalittlegrocerystoreforsalesotheypurchasedit.HardlyhadtwoorthreemonthsgonebywhenTedbegantosufferwithasthmaagainduetotherainyseasonthere. WithafriendTedcametoColorado.TheystoppedinLaJunta,wenttoManitouSpringsandclimbedPike’sPeak.Tedfelt“justwonderfulupthere.Itwasthealtitudethathelpedhim,”concludedMargie. ThistriphadtakenplaceintheFalloftheyear.WhenSpringcame,theSwedborg’ssoldtheirstoreinKansasandcametomaketheirhomeinColorado. WhenthecouplearrivedinDenver,itwasahot,summerafternoon.TheydecideditmightbealittlecoolerinAurora.AfriendoftheirsinKansashadabrotherbythenameofFrankStrauss,whowaslivinginAurora.Thecouple“foundsomerooms”overtherestaurantofthePulliamsinthe9500blockofColfaxAvenue.ThentheycalledonMr.Strauss,whosaidthatAurorawasagoodplacetolive.TheSwedborgsarrivedJune25,1924,andhavelivedhereeversince. BothTedandMargiewereraisedinthenorthernpartofWisconsinandweremarriedinthatstatein1921.Ted’sgivennamewasArvidTheodore,buthewasalwaysknownas”Ted.”TheSwedborgshadtwogirls,DorisborninKansasandPatsyborninDenver.Doriswasoneandon-halfyearsoldwhentheSwedborgsmovedtoAurora.Patsydiedin1930fromcomplicationswhenshehadthethendreadeddiseaseofwhoopingcough. BeforeTedwentintomanagingagrocerystore,hehadbeenpost-masteratPrentice,Wisconsin,forsevenyears.Althoughhehadaneight-yearterm,hehadtoresignbecauseofhishealth. WhenthefamilycametoAurora,TedfoundworkinashoestoreindowntownDenver,buthedidn’tliketheshoebusiness.Lookingaroundforsomethingelse,hefoundthataMr.Duncanwantedtosellhisstoreat9633E.ColfaxAvenue.TheSwedborgspurchasedit.

TwoGroceryStores “JustwhatdidagrocerystoreinthosedayshavefortheirCustomers?”WhentheSwedborgsboughtMr.Duncan’sstoretheywere

surprisedtofindthathehadjustabouteverything:hardware,shoes,andgroceries.“Itreallywasamess,”commentedMargie.Thefrontwindowswereadornedwith“sixtoeightmilliondeadflies.”Amongthemanyitemsfoundtherewerestovepipes.Thefirstorderofbusinesswastocleanoutthewindows,whichwasabigjob.TheSwedborgsthendecidedtocarrymeats,vegetablesandfruits;thuslimitingtheirstoreratherthantryingtocarryeverythingandbea“generalstore.”Margieworkedalongsideherhusband.Shedidthebookkeepingandsomeofthechecking.DuringtheDepressioninthe30’s,thecouplelosttheirstore.Theyweredongacreditbusinessandtherewasnomoneytopaybills.Theyhadtoclosein1935.Oneyearlater,theSwedborgswerebackinbusiness,butnotatthesamelocationforanotherbusinesshadmovedinthere.“Tedwasafighter.”CommentedMargie.Thecouplethenopenedtheirsecondgroceryat9637E.ColfaxwhichwasontheeastsideoftheBarberShop

TedSwedborgMargieSwedborgIn1947,theSwedborgsremodeledtheirstorebychangingthefrontwindows,thedoor,andtheinterior.Tedwasalwaysproudofhisstore,andMargiefeltthatsometimeshewastooeagertomakechanges.Mostoftheircustomerspaidbythemonthoreverytwoweeks.“Payday”wasabigeventbecausethentheSwedborgsreceivedthemoneyforgroceriesandtheircustomerschargedmore.Atthistimetheiremployeeswereabutcherwhocutthemeatandadeliveryboy.Thestoredeliveredgroceriessixdaysaweek,Sundaybeingtheexception.Later,deliverieswerelimitedtothreedaysaweek.Ofcourse,thereweremanydeliveryboyswhoworkedafterschoolandonSaturdays.AfewthatMargierememberswerehernephew,KeithJohnson;JoeLincoln,PaulineLincoln’sson,whobecameexecutivevice-presidentandsecretaryofCentralBankCorporationandchairmanoftheBoardofCentralBankinAurora;theWilsonboy’s,Waldo,Tommy,andBill;FrankBrunerandBobSeidenberg.Swedborg’struckwentasfareastasChambersRoad;asfarsouthasWindsorFarm(whereWindsorGardensisnow),totheJimChambers,totheHarveyNickerson’sandtothePeteGlasiers:asfarwestasEastDenver;andasfarnorthas25thAvenue.Evenintheworstwinters,thestorewasalwaysopen.Deliveringgroceriesinthestormswasdifficult.Oftenthetruckwouldgetstuckinthemud;thensomeonewouldhavetogoouttohelpthedriver.TheareaaroundWindsorFarmwasparticularlybad.InadditiontotheSwedborgs’storetherewasanothersmallgroceryatGalenaandColfaxwhichwasownedbyFrankWoods.ThenPigglyWigglymanagedbyFrankStrauss,openedat9745E.ColfaxtobefollowedbySafeway,whichwasmanagedbyGarlandHughes,atChesterandColfax.

GroceryEmployee’sStrikeOneyearthatMargierememberswellwastheyearofthegroceryemployees’strike.ElmerKrusewasworkingforSafeway.BeingthatSwedborg’swasanindependentstore,itdidnothavetostrike.Thestorestayedopen,andMr.KrusecametoworkforSwedborg’sbecause

itsbusinessskyrocketed.IreneAmeswasalsoworkingforSafewayandcametoworkforSwedborg’scontinuinguntilSwedborg’sclosedtheirstore.OtheremployeeswhoMargierememberswereMarieBaker,whoworkedformorethan15years;MargaretKramer,whoclerkedonSaturdaysthroughhighschoolinAuroraandColoradoWomen’sCollege;KennethHiatt,ArtHerron,andMr.Morey,whoallcutmeat.“Ijustcannotbegintorecallallofthenamesofpeoplewhoworkedforusthroughtheyears,”lamentedMargie.Duringthegrocerystrike,whichlastedforsometime,theSwedborgsnotonlylaboreddaysbutalsonights.Theycuttheirmeat,andrestockedtheirshelvesatnight.Lookingbacknow,Margiesays,“Itwaskindoffun.Wewerecompetitorswiththeothergroceries,butwewerealwaysfriends.”Thecouplecarriedspecialitems.MargierecallsthatoneChristmastheycarriedLingonberries,afavoritewithScandinavianpeople.Atthattime,TedwassellingSolitairebrandofgroceries.Heaskedallwhopurchasedtheone-poundglassjarsofcoffeetosavethemforhim.Thenhefilledthemwithlingonberries,putthemintothestorewindowsanddidtheysell!Othertreatsweredillpicklesandherringinbarrels.Inthosedays,theSwedborgspurchasedbeansandricein100-poundbagsandthenrebaggedthedryitemsinone,two,andthree-poundsacks.Theyboughtroundsofcheeseandslicedit.Cookiesandcrackerswereinwallcases.Inthelate1920’s,TedandMargiepurchasedtheirmilkfromBillHoery’sfarm.Theypaidfivecentsforitandsolditforsixcentsaquart.Thatincludeddeliveryandchargingtothecustomer’saccount.“Wewerereallymakingmoneyinthosedays,”jokedMargie,“apennyaquart,butisjustwasn’tthatmuch.”“Eggswereprobably15centsadozen;bread.Fivecentsaloaf,andhamburger,about15centsapound.WhentheDepressioncameandSwedborgslosttheirstorein1935,theyremovedthoseaccountstothebasementoftheirhome.Therewerenocollectionagenciesinthosedays.Afewyearsago,Tedsuggestedthattheyburnallthoseaccountswhiletheystillhadanashpit.“Wedidn’tevenfeelbadaboutthemanymore,”remarkedMargie.Sometimes,duringtheDepression,theytookproduceinpaymentofbills.Sometimestheytookrabbits,chickens,turkeys,andeggs.UsuallytheChristianssuppliedthestorewiththoseitems.TheJimChambersalsodid.TheirtelephonenumberswereAurora#1andEast3605.TheywereabletogetthisnumberbecauseofpeoplemovingoutofAurora.ThestoresneededtwotelephonesbecausetheSwedborgshadEastDenveritesaswellasAuroransforcustomers.“WehadtosaythatwecameherewiththeIndianssothatishowwegotAurora1.Itwasagoodstory,”Margierecalled.AtfirsttheSwedborgshadalarge,roundcoalstove,buttherewereneveranycrackerbarrelsaroundit.Latertheyputinamodernfloorfurnace.Electriclightshungfromtheceiling.

NeighborsonColfax“WhoweretheircloseneighborsonColfaxAvenue?”IntheYoungBuildingerectedinthe1890’s,wereTedandMargie’sstoreat9633,Sheehy’sBarberandBeautyShopat9635andFrankHampton’sPoolHallat9637.WestofSwedborg’swasWeston’sConfectioneryandtheAcaciaDrugoperatedbytheHarryMcDowellsat9601.Totheeastat9699wasT.F.Gilligans’sFirstNationalBank.AllofthesebusinesseswereonthenorthsideofColfax.Tedalwayssaidthathedidn’thavetoshovelasmuchsnowandiceforitmeltedmorereadilyonthatsideofthestreet.“Andthatwastrue,”commentedMargie.In1925,Colfaxwasastripofconcretedownthemiddlewithdirtonbothsides.Whentherewasn’tacarcomingintheoppositedirectionthedriveralwaysusedthemiddleoftheroad,itwasabigdaywhenColfaxAvenuewasfinallypavedfromcurbtocurb.“Therewasn’tmuchonthesouthsideofColfaxinthe20’s,”recalledMargie.WherethetavernisnowatDallasandColfax,therewasarestaurant,theBusCafé.Fromtheretothetelephoneoffice,whereMrs.EdnaManiswastheoperator,onGalenaandColfaxtherewaslittle.Thetelephoneofficewasconsideredtobe“wayoutonColfax.”Later,E.S.

Murphybuiltagarage.WhenMargiewantedtoshopforclothes,shewenttoDenver.TheSunlightShopat9709Colfaxcarriedsomeclothingbutnotalargeselection.“Dressshopscamecameandwentthroughtheyears,”observedMargie.ShefeltAurorawastoclosetoDenver.AlthoughtheBlaisdellsisters,HattieandAlice,carriedavarietyofclothing,theynevercarriedshoes.However,theydidstockbedroomslippers.Theirshopstockedyardgoodssincemostofthewomensewedfortheirfamilies,especiallyfortheirchildren.Theshophadnomen’swearingapparelexceptforunderwear.“Thesistershadareallynicelineofclothes;theircustomershatedtoseethemquit,buttheybecametoelderlytooperatetheirstore,”saidMargie.WhiletheBlaisdellswerestillinbusiness,Mr.andMrs.HarryCarsonopenedamen’sstoreacrossthestreetfromtheSwedborgs.OtherbusinessesacrossthestreetwereafeedandcoalstoreownedbyRayLancastersandDr.JayBouton’sveterinarianbusiness.Atthattimehehadalargeanimalpractice.Dr.BoutonwasJay’s(Margie’sson-in-law’s)father.LaterhebuilttheBoutonVeterinaryHospitalat9357E.Colfax.TheGeorgeFriendsopenedtheirsecond-handfurniturestoreonthesouthsideofColfaxat9746.Inadditiontothatbusiness,Mr.FriendalsohadtheDenverPostAgency.Thenewspaperdeliveryboyswenttheretogettheirpapers.LaterMr.FriendboughtMeadowsDodgeandPlymouth(earlierVorbeck’sFordAgency)onthenorthsideandmovedhisbusinessthere.WhenT.F.GiliganhadhisbankinAuroratheSwedborgsdidtheirbankingthere.TheydidnotloseanymoneywhenGiligan’sbankfailedin1933becausetheirmoneywasintheirbusiness.MargiefeltthatMr.Gilliganwasa“victimofcircumstances.”Hewas“toobig-heartedandgavecredittothepointwhereitcouldnotbepaidback.Hedidnotgainmonetarilyfromthefailure.”Therewere,however,peoplewhocondemnedhim.TedandMargievisitedtheGilligansinCaliforniaabout15yearsago.(about50yearsagonow)Whentheycame,Frankcriedsaying”YouaretheonlypeoplefromAurorawhohaveevercometoseeme.”HewasoperatingafilingstationinCalifornia.AnothercontroversialfigureinAurora’shistorywasR.W.Gwynn,owneroftheAuroraDemocratandtheAdamsCountyNews.Margiedescribeshimasa“tallmanwhocaredlittleabouthisappearance,whowasveryabruptandwhowasveryhardofhearing.Hewasalsoveryopinionated.”WorkingforGwynnwasMabelMcFadden,whonotonlydidtypesettingandotherjobs,butalsogatherednews.MargieremembersMrs.McFadden”traipsingfromoneendofAuroratotheothergettingadsforthebigNewYear’seditionofthenewspapers.”Theswedborgsdeliveredgroceriestoher.Ifshecameintothestorewithabasketanditoverflowedwithgroceries,theywouldtakeherhome.Mrs.McFaddenwasoneofthosepersonswhoalwayspaidherbillonthefirstofthemonth.“Mabelwasasmallwoman,areallylovelywoman,whoreminderherofanotherladywhogatherednewsforthepapers---LenaBarron,”commentedMargie.AnotheroneofMargie’smemoriesisseeingMrs.McFadden’ssonVince(CarlV.McFadden)outinthemiddleofColfaxAvenuetakingpictureswithcarsmovingonbothsidesofhim.ThenthetrafficonColfaxwasnotasheavyasitistoday.AcharacterinAurora’shistorywasA.G.Stitt,whotheSwedborgsknewverywell.Forawhilehepeddled“theDenverPost.HewouldstandatthecornerwhereMcDowell’sstorewasandsellnewspaperstothepersonswhoweregettingonandoffthestreetcars.Ifsomeonecamealongandsaidthathecouldnotaffordatpaper,Mr.Stittwouldsay,“Well,here’sone.”Stittlivedat9811Colfaxwithhiswifeandasister,bothofwhomwerealsocharacters.Mr.Stittwasstrongintwoways,hislanguage

AndhisallegiancetotheDemocraticParty.StoriesweretoldabouthimthatMargierefusestotell.TheupstairsofthebuildingwheretheSwedborgsfirstroomedwasturnedintooffices.Dr.FrankShipman,themedicaldoctorandDr.DanielRyan,thedentist,hadtheirofficesthere.Dr.RyanwentintotheNavy,andDr.HubertLiggettmovedintohisoffice.WhenthenewbuildingwasfinishedatDaytonandColfax,thedoctorsmovedupstairsthere.

BankRobbery“WhatdaystandsoutinallofMargie’smemoriesaboutAurora?”“ThedayofthebankrobberywhenIalmostgotshot,”Margiesaysveryquickly.Therobbers’carwasparkedonDaytonandamanwasleaningoutofthecarwindowshootingupanddownColfax.Margiecouldhearasirenblowing.SomeonehadsaidthatmovingpicturesweregoingtobemadeatCrawfordSchoolthatafternoon,soshewenttothedoorofthestoretoseeifshecouldseeanything.Justthenamanshotdownthestreetandhitthebarberpolenexttotheirstore.Margiedidn’tstarttoshakeuntilthateveningwhenshebegantothinkabouttheepisode.TherobberswereattemptingtoholdupGilligan’sbank,whichwasinthesameblockjusteastoftheYoungBuilding.TherobberswerenevercaughtinColorado.Forrecreationthiscoupletookpartinthetypicalactivitiesofthe1020’sand1030’s.Theydancedandwenttopictureshows.TheyenjoyeddrivingtoBarrLakenortheastofAuroraandtoCityParkinDenver.TheydancedatLakesideandsawplaysatElitch’s.Sundayeveningstheylistenedtotheradio.Theyalso“called”onpeople,whichmeantgoingovertofriends’homes.AmongtheplacesTedandMargiedancedwasonthesecondflooroftheTownHall.Herelocalmusiciansplayed,mostlytheviolinandthepiano.AfterWilliamSmithHighSchoolwascompletedin1931,thepeopledancedtheretothetunesofout-of-townorchestras.TheSwedborgsusuallywenttothesedanceswithfriends.Aurora’slodgesalsometatthetownhall.Themeetingstookplaceupstairs.Therewasalittlekitchendownstairswhererefreshmentscouldbemade.Margieremembersthatthejudge’sdeskwasonthefirstfloor.Therewasn’tastairwaytothesecondfloor;peoplehadtoclimbaladderthatwasnailedtothewall.TheEasternStarchapterwasorganizedin1925.WithafewchucklesMargierecallsclimbingthatladderinherlongwhitedress.Itwasn’ttoolong,however,beforetheTowndecidedthatitcouldaffordtobuildastaircase.TherewasabelltowerontheTownHall,butMargiedoesn’trememberwhetherabellwasrungforfires.AtthattietheFireDepartmentwashousedinabuildingonDallasstreet,theonethatFriend’sFurnitureusedforstorageinthe80’s.

AnotherAttemptedRobberyAnincidentremindsMargiethatthepolicedepartmentwasthere,too.Bycuttingtheglassinthedooronenight,someonebrokeintoSwedborg’sandtookthefilecase,alargepieceoffurniture.TheSwedborgskepttheiraccountsinitbutneveranymoney.

Therobber,thinkingthattherewasmoneyinit,draggeditoutofthestoreandintohiscar.Healsotookacaseofeggs,severalpoundsofbacon,andotherfooditems.Ashedrovehiscarintothealley,whichranintoDallasStreetandfacedthepolicestation,hiscar,withoutanylightson,wasseenbythepoliceatmidnight.Thepolicestoppedtherobber’scarandrecoveredthelootfortheSwedborgs.Thepolicediscoveredhewasawantedcriminal;hewasconvictedanddiedinprison.“Thisrobberymusthavetakenplaceinthe40’sandledtoourinstallingbarsonthedoorandwindows,”commentedMargie.“WhatwerethedifficultieslivinginAurorainthe20’s?”Withouthesitation,Margieanswered,“LackofMoney.”Nevertheless,TedandMargiedidn’tfeelthattaxesweretoohigh.Yet,theyfeltthattheinterestonthewaterbondsandpayingthemoffcausedhighertaxeswhichhadagreatdealtodowiththeslowgrowthoftheTown.WhentheSwedborgscametoAurora,therewereabout1,200people.MargieobservedthatAurorawasabedroomtownwherepeoplelivedbutwheretheydidnotwork.Alsotherewerefewfamilieswhodidnothavesomeonewithtuberculosis.FitzsimonsGeneralHospital,whichtreatedtheservicemen,broughtworkersaswellaspatientsandtheirfamilies.FitzsimonshelpedinthegrowthofAurora.ThedirtstreetscausedMargietodo“lotsofdusting.”Whenthesnowandicemelted,thestreetsweremuddyandfullofruts.Waterpressurewasnotaproblem,accordingtoMargie.Althoughtheydidnotdomuchwatering,theSwedborgsdidhavealawnasmostAuroranshad.BythetimetheSwedborgsarrivedintheTown,thechickens,cows,andpigsweregonefromthebackyards.Activeinmasoniccircles,TedwasamemberofLodge#156andMargiebelongedtoDawnChapterofEasternStar.In1926and1927TedwaselectedtotheCityCouncil.Hecouldnotcontinueduetothegreatamountofworkinhisstore.

LibraryBoardMargiejoinedtheAuroraWoman’sClub,buthermaininterestfor35yearswastheLibraryBoardtowhichshewasappointedin1932.Atthattime,Mrs.SarahD.Woodwasthelibrarian;LydiaCleaves,herassistant.ThelibrarywasinMrs.Woods’shomeat1516DallasStreetwhichlaterbecametheparkinglotforFriend’sFurniture.Itwasin1924thattheAuroraWoman’sClubdecidedthatthetownneededalibrary.Mrs.JessieFuerstienspearheadedtheeffort.Mrs.Woodofferedtohavethelibraryinherhome.Itwas“onebigroom,”withshelvingonthreewalls.Therewasoneshelfwhichwasaverypopularfeatureofthelibrary.Itwasfilledwiththelatestbooks.Thesebookswouldberentedfor10centsforfivedays.Therentmoneythenboughtmorebooks.IfMrs.Wood,whocamefromAlbany,NewYork,andwhohadpreviouslibraryexperience,thoughtacertainbookshouldnotbereadbyyoungpeopleofthecommunity,itwaskeptunderthecounter.Margiedoesn’trememberwhatMrs.Wood’sdefinitionofyoungpeoplewas,butshethinksitwasanyoneundertheageof18.

Sincetherewasnotmuchmoneytobuybooks,Auroransdonatedthem.Whatmoneytherewascamefrombakesales,cardparties,luncheons,etc.Therewerealsobookdrives.WhentheCitytookoverthelibrary,itsupportedthefacility.BeforetheCity-Managerformofgovernment,theLibraryBoarddideverything.Itpaidthebills,purchasedthebooks,andhiredthelibrarian.Mrs.CleavesfollowedMrs.Woodaslibrarian.FrancesHawkinsandFaithPlatt,daughterofLenaBarron,helpedMrs.Wood,whowaselderlyandnolongercoulddoverymuch.WhenMargiefirstwentontheBoard,therewerethreemenandtwowomen.OthersontheBoardwereSidneyHampton,awoman;ArthurStark,ownerofthefloralshop;B.B.Nevius,formermayor;andoneothermanwhosenameshedoesnotrecall.MargiewasthelastmemberofthatearlyBoardstillalivein1981.MinutesofthisearlyboardwerelostwhenthelibrarywasmovedfromMrs.Wood’shometotheCitycomplexatElmiraand16thAve.in1953.WhentheCitycomplexwasfinished,theschoolchildrenhelpedtomovethebookstothenewlibrary.Formtherethebookswereagainmovedintoanothernewlibraryat1298PeoriaStreetin1964.Whenthislibrarywasbeingbuilt,itwasallMargietalkedabout;soherfamilykiddinglycalledit“Margie’sLibrary.”“Itwasveryinterestingtobythetablesandchairs,thecarpeting,thedrapesandtheshelves,”saidMargie.WhenMargieretiredfromtheBoardin1968,shehadseenthelibrarygrowfromoneroomtoabuildingwith20,000squarefeet.TheCityofAuroraandtheFriendoftheAuroraPublicLibraryhonoredMargieforher35yearsofserviceofoutstandingpublicservice.O.JamesMurray,assistanttoMayorPaulBeck,presentedaplaquetoherwhichread,“PresentedinappreciationtoMargieSwedborgforher35yearsofserviceontheBoardoftheAuroraPublicLibrary.Duetohisinterestinhistory,TedwasappointedtothefirstHistoricalCommissionbytheCityCouncilin1970.Atthetimeofhisdeath,January28,1980,hewasanhonorarymember.MargieSwedborgwilllongberememberedbyAuroransasapetite,lovelylady,whoablyassistedherhusbandTedintwoearlygrocerystoresandwhowasamovingforceonAurora’sLibraryBoardformanyyears.

EXHIBITSDON’TTOUCHTHATDIAL!

Nov.25-Apr.17

LearnabouttheGoldenAgeofRadio,includingpresidentialfiresidechats,serialprogrammingandhowtheradioinfluencedlifeinAurora.

AMOSAICOFCULTURES:AURORA’SETHIOPIANCOMMUNITIES

May3-Sept.11AuroraishometoavibrantEthiopiancommunity,comprisedofpeoplefromdiverseethnic,linguisticandreligiousbackgrounds.CelebratetheheritageandcontributionsofAurora’sEthiopian-bornresidents.PresentedinpartnershipwithAuroraSisterCitiesInternational.OpeningReceptionMay12Thu.,5-7p.m.WORTHDISCOVERING:125YEARSOFAURORAHISTORYMar.15-July10DiscoverthequirkyandinterestingpastthatledtotheAuroraweknowtoday.Revisityourfavoritestoriesandlearnsomethingnewthroughthisphotoexhibit.PROGRAMS

TheWWIIHomefront:Fears,FoesandBlackoutCurtainsMar.13Sun.,2:30-3:30p.m.$4($3Residents)TheAuroraMuseumFoundation(AMF)supportsmuseumprogrammingandexhibitsyearround.JoinusfortheAMFannualmeetingandenjoyatalkandbooksigningwithColoradoauthorNancyM.Peterson.Inherhistoricalfictionnovel,NottobeForgiven,PetersoncombinedresearchandpersonalknowledgetorecreatetheearlyyearsontheAmericanHomefrontduringWWII.NottobeForgivenisthestoryofhowasmallNebraskatownbecomeshometoaB-17bombertrainingbaseandaprisonerofwarcampforGermansoldiers.Ayounggirl,SisGreggory,experiencesscrap-metaldrives,foodrationing,blackoutcurtainsandVictoryGardenswhilehersoliderbrother,Danny,servesoverseas.125thBirthdayPartyandVolksmarchSaturday,April30;10a.m.-4p.m.EnjoyanAurorathemedbirthdaycakeandvisittheAuroraHistoryMuseum,MorrisonNatureCenterandDeLaneyFarm.CelebrateAurora'sbigdaywithfacepainting,naturewalksandfunbirthdayactivities.Ashuttlebuswillbeavailabletotransportvisitorsbetweenallthreelocations.AdmissionisFREE.SponsoredbytheAuroraMuseumFoundation.LincolnHillsTeaTheLincolnHillsresortinCoalCreekCanyonwasbuiltin1925,byandforAfricanAmericans.LearnmorefromLonnieMcCabeperformingasLindaKaiKaiTucker,thenieceofaresortfounder.May14•Sat.,2-3:30p.m.•$26($20Resident)

AntiqueAppraisalFair

Localappraisersevaluateyourantiques&collectibles.Call303-739-6705toreserveanentrancetime.Nowalk-insaccepted.Apr.23•9a.m.-3:00p.m.•$5/item;5itemlimit•AuroraCentralLibrary

OurCorporateSponsors

1301 S. Havana Street Aurora, CO http://www.suss.net/showroom/buick

Wagner Equipment 1800 E. Smith Road, Aurora, CO, 80011

If anyone would like to receive the newsletter by email and let the Aurora Historical Society save the postage, Please contact Lynne Evans at 303-671-0874 or lyevans@comcast.net Also-If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about the newsletter you can contact me as well.

PleasecheckouttheAHSWebsite:

http://auroracohistoricalsociety.org

Aurora’sHistoricNewspaperDigitizationProject

ThedigitizationofAurora’shistoricnewspapersisacollaborationofmanygroups.DonationshavebeenmadebytheHistoricPreservationCommissionandtheAuroraHistoricalSociety.Wehavealsoappliedforthreegrants,onefromDaughtersoftheAmericanRevolution(NSDAR),onefromtheColoradoHistoricRecordAdvisoryBoard(CHRAB),andonefromtheColoradoStatewideInternetPortalAuthority(SIPA)tohelppayforthedigitization.Itcostsabouta$1.00apagetodigitizethenewspapers.HistoricnewspapersarethemostutilizedresourceintheMuseumarchives,asfewotherresourcesexistfromthefirsthalfofthetwentiethcentury;however,accessisavailableonlybyappointment,andMuseumstaffingshortagesmakeitdifficulttoaccommodateresearchrequestsinatimelyfashion.Additionalchallengesfacingresearchersincludeanunreliablemicrofilmreaderwithaninoperableprintfunctionandtornmicrofilmreels.ThroughacollaborationwiththeColoradoStateLibraryandtheColoradoHistoricNewspapersCollection,thisprojectwillprovidefreeonlineaccesstosearchable,digitalcopiesofearlyAuroranewspapers.ThiswillopentheMuseum’sholdingstoawideraudienceand

UkuleleLessonsandTalkStoryPresentations3rdSaturdayofeverymonth,FREEMar.19,Apr.16,May211–3p.m.Monthly30minutepresentationsaboutHawaiianculturefollowedbygroupukulelelessons.

BROWNBAG&WHITELINENLECTURESERIES•Wed.,12-1p.m.•$4($3Resident)•AuroraHistoricalSocietymembersfree•Bringyourlunch

1-70&theMemorialTunnelHowdoyoumovemountainsinordertomovepeople?SeniorCDOThistorianLisaSchochsharesthestoryoftheEisenhower-JohnsonMemorialTunnel.

Mar.16OhHeyStanleyMarkShakersharesthehistoryoflocalaeronauticspioneer,BobStanley&hiscompany,StanleyAviation.LearnaboutthetransformationfrommanufacturingplanttoStanleyMarketplace.

Apr.20TheDaytoDayLifeofBikesCityPlannerAnthonyAveryshareswhat’sinstoreforAurora’sbicyclenetwork&howtomakethemostoftheexistinginfrastructure.May18

DearAuroraHistoricalSocietymembers,TheAdvocateisprintedJanuary,March,May,July,September,andNovembereveryyear.Wearetryingtofindmissingcopiesofthenewsletter.Youwillfindalistoftheeditionsforwhichwedonothavecopies.Ifyouhavecopiesofanyofthesemissingeditions,wewouldappreciateitifwecouldborrowittomakeacopysothehistoricalsocietyhasacompleterecordofalleditions.IfsopleasecontactmyselforMichaelLockwood.1976:January,March,September&November1977:January&September1978:January&May1979:March&July1980:May&November1982:January1983:May&July1984:May&July1985:all6issues1986:all6issues1987:all6issues1988:all6issues1989:January,March,SeptemberNovember1990:January1991:July&September2002:July2009:November2010:January&March

heighteninterestinlocalhistory,allowingindividualsofallagestheabilitytoresearchtheAuroraarea.Museumstaffwillalsohavemucheasieraccesstotheinformationandcandisseminatemorethoroughhistoricalresearchthroughitsexhibitionsandprogramming.ThroughacollaborationwithadigitalassetsmanagementsystemcalledColoradoHistoricNewspapersCollection(CHNC),thesemicrofilmednewspaperswouldbescanned,indexed,andmountedontheCHNCnewspaperserver.Thiscollaborationwouldprovidefreeonlinepublicaccesstothenewspapersinafullysearchableformat,whichwouldresultinincreasedusageofthisvaluablehistoricresource.Althoughcopyrightregulationsrestrictonlinepublicationofnewspaperspast1923withoutpublisherpermission,theAuroraHistoryMuseumobtainedconsenttodigitizethelocalAuroranewspapers.TheAuroraMediaGroup,ownerofnumerouscurrentpublicationsinAuroraandtherightstomanyofitshistoricpublications,providedapprovalforthisproject.ThecosttodigitizeTheAuroraDemocratfrom1909-1955isalmost$20,000.Thefirst1,200pageshavealreadygonefordigitizationandshouldbecompleteearlyin2016.Grantswillcoverthenext9,000pages,andwearehopingtofundraiseapproximately$7,600todigitizetheremainingpagesoftheAuroraDemocrat.Oncedigitizedthenewspaperwillbeavailabletoanyonewithonlineaccess.WehopetocontinueuntilallofthehistoricAuroranewspapersaredigitized.Wearelaunchingadollarperpagecoupondriveaswellasotherfundraisers,sopleasestaytunedformoreinformationinthecomingmonths.Update:$4,200wasjustawardedfortheCHRABGrant.Wearemakingprogress,butwestillneedyourhelptocompletethisproject.

$1/page!

Historic Aurora Newspapers - Digitization Project

Yes! I want to give my support with my tax-deductible gift. ___ $25 ___ $50 ___ $100 ___ other

Please make checks payable to: Aurora Historical SocietyName_______________________________________________Address_____________________________________________City______________________ State______ Zip____________Email_______________________________________________Phone______________________________________________

Please send checks to:Aurora History Museum15051 E. Alameda ParkwayAurora, CO 80012

Help Aurora participate in the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection.For more information please visit www.auroracohistoricalsociety.org

We need your help!

For just $1/page you can help digitize Aurora’s historic newspapers and ensure history doesn’tget lost just because microfilm is hard to use!

Newspapers like the Aurora Democrat are saved on microfilm reels. Digitizing this film creates an online and

searchable database to look for photos, articles,or anything else you might find interesting!

Sponsored by the Aurora Historical Society & the Aurora History Museum Archives

View the first pages online Spring 2016!

$1/page!

Historic Aurora Newspapers - Digitization Project

Yes! I want to give my support with my tax-deductible gift. ___ $25 ___ $50 ___ $100 ___ other

Please make checks payable to: Aurora Historical SocietyName_______________________________________________Address_____________________________________________City______________________ State______ Zip____________Email_______________________________________________Phone______________________________________________

Please send checks to:Aurora History Museum15051 E. Alameda ParkwayAurora, CO 80012

Help Aurora participate in the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection.For more information please visit www.auroracohistoricalsociety.org

We need your help!

For just $1/page you can help digitize Aurora’s historic newspapers and ensure history doesn’tget lost just because microfilm is hard to use!

Newspapers like the Aurora Democrat are saved on microfilm reels. Digitizing this film creates an online and

searchable database to look for photos, articles,or anything else you might find interesting!

Sponsored by the Aurora Historical Society & the Aurora History Museum Archives

View the first pages online Spring 2016!

Wort h Discover ingauroragov.org

Wort h Discover ingauroragov.org