Growing up in Colorado Springs in the ’40s and ’50s, the Gazette-Telegraph ruled the world of events and information. The city’s population in 1950 was 45,472, a 23.6% increase from the 1940 census. It had grown rapidly during and after the war, but it was still a small town, and its long-established newspaper devoted many pages to local coverage. Readers wanted local news, responded to local advertisers and treasured their beautiful little city. It was growing and prosperous, and the future seemed bright.
In 1950, I was a fourth grader at Steele School, then situated in a magnificent turn of the century building featuring Van Briggle tiles, a vast gravel playground and kind, caring and intelligent teachers.
Erected in 1901, the school was named after Benjamin Steele, the deceased editor and owner of the daily Colorado Springs Gazette, which would later become the Gazette-Telegraph. For decades, Steele was the city’s leading elementary school, a designation that proud alumni still believe to be true.
Going through ancient photo albums and scrapbooks, I came across my first appearance in the Gazette – exactly 75 years ago on Jan. 5, 1950. The front page of the second section was devoted to a play written by Clara Trucks, our fourth-grade teacher commemorating the discovery of Pikes Peak by Zebulon Pike. The play was said to be part of the first “city-wide observance on his birthday and his discovery.” The actors were all fourth graders, including my classmates Barry Barley, Howard Sabol, John Akers and Dale Gibbs. They portrayed Pike and members of his party, while I was the Pawnee chief, complete with elaborate headdress and a Native blanket.
Two years later on May 17, 1952, the Gazette featured the mock GOP convention by Steele sixth graders. In the photo, I’m in the process of giving the keynote speech, while delegates who introduced the candidates are played by Jimmy Dick, Tom Schwartz, John Haney, Margot Hallenbeck and Allene Thompson. All 71 sixth graders voted in the mock convention, which was overwhelmingly for General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The final tally: Eisenhower: 51; Earl Warren: 9; Robert Taft: 6; Douglas MacArthur: 4, Harold Stassen: 1.
It’s an interesting window on a different time. The candidates were all accomplished, middle-aged and well-qualified for the presidency. They were also all white male Protestants and attended church regularly. Female, nonwhite, Jewish, Catholic or divorced? Or involved in shady, dubious or possibly criminal behavior? Forget about it!
Since 1950, we’ve had a Catholic president, a Black president, a woman vice president and two female Democratic presidential nominees. And now we’re embarking on another four years with Donald Trump, a man whom 1950s Republicans would have found fetid and unworthy of any federal office.
after Benjamin Steele, the deceased editor and owner of the daily Colorado Springs Gazette.
I wonder what my childhood friends would say about today’s political lineup. Of all the kids in the photos, I believe that only John Haney and I are still firmly anchored in Colorado Springs. Barry Barley lives in Virginia, but the rest are dead or long departed, scattered and unreachable. And what about Mrs. Trucks? She died in 1959 and is buried beside her husband Charles in Evergreen Cemetery.
And as for me, I left the Springs in 1962, returned in 1981 and have stayed joyfully in place ever since. Happy New Year to my fellow survivors, and if you’re ever in town, contact me through the Bulletin – drinks are on me! But don’t expect Dom Perignon; I’m still a small-town boy.