SCSD#3 Classes Learn About Clearmont Area History

Learning about history is more interesting when one can actually see and touch the historical artifacts. On Tuesday, August 25, several Arvada-Clearmont students came to the Clearmont Historical Center to learn about Clearmont area history through the displays there.

Sandy Hirz, Center Director, welcomed the students and then talked to them about an old ice box that was used in the pioneer days to keep food cool.

Clearmont Historic Group member Sue Albright, displayed an old skillet that could have been used in a homesteader kitchen.

Students got to sit in an original juror’s chair from the Sheridan County Courthouse in 1906. Robert Prusak, CHG president, told the students,

The Clearmont Historical Center was once the Clearmont Post Office, and one item that students were welcome to try out was a hand-crank date-stamp machine.

CHG member Rhonda Michelena explained how it worked.

The Clear Creek, River of Life, diorama is a new exhibit, showcasing Clear Creek, and talking about the irrigation in the valley. It is complete with the sound of running water, and a surveyor’s transit that was on the Dean Floate homestead. Fran Felz, who lived in the Floate house, talked about why the transit was used.

A mammoth molar found in Clear Creek, a stagecoach wheel, fossil fish from Fossil Buttes in Southwest Wyoming, and a display of grain elevators are all a part of the exhibits in the museum, and the students were encouraged to return and learn more about the Clear Creek Valley history.