The newspaper., 1908-05-29
PaOnia and Vicinity in 1912.
BY ELSIE e. EDWARDS.

BY ELSIE E. EDWARDS.
On June fifteenth, 1872 the conductor called
out ''Paona." stepped from the ear onto the plat
form of a medium sized modern depot. 1t about
six O'Clock evening and the little city yet
bathed in the hazy sunshine of une afternoon
On looking around the country l was impressed
with the peculiar beauty of the scene-the tall noun
tains with their snowy caps standing as sentines
guarding the gem which lay at their feet and upon
which, in the calm serenity of the picture it seemed
that God had set his seal. Being stranger in the
town obtained seat in acomfortable bus and was
driven to a large brick hotel, the "Commercial' sit
uated the corner OF Third and Poplar.
The next day walked and drove over the city, a
thriving town of about four thousand inhabitants.
Most of the sidewalks of cement and beautiful
shade trees lined both sides of most OF the streets
Grand avenue, Onarga avenue and Third street were
paved The streets were well lighted and many
beautiful homes, especially attractive account OF
the well kept lawns, pretty shade trees and clean
streets were to be on all sides one of the most
attractive features of Paona the City park stu
ated at the end of Orchard avenue and just north of
Second street Several of alfalfa had been pur
chased by the the town in 1909 and had been trans
formed into a vertabie picture. soft green carpet
of grass thicky dotted with shade trees had taken
the place of the alfalfa. Many people found this cool
resting place relief from their tolls each day and IL
served to bring sweet repose TO many down hearted
and woman. Many amusements and pleasures
be found there: swings and Fairgrounds for
the children quiet walks and secluded hooks for the
lovers and rustic seats for the older The stores
department the corner OF Grande avenue and
Fourth street employed about twenty-five clerks
while several other stores had many n dozen
clerks busy.
OF course was Interested in the government of
such a prosperous little town. l learned that the
management of the city affairs in the hands of
the finest men I've obtained. The mayor had served
for four years. The town was clean-no saloons nor
gambling dens there to disgrace its streets and
entice honest men. 4 rstclass reading
under pnblic management there were tennis and golf
grounds and many other places OF clean amusement
and pastime. The beverage which Paonia drunk was
fit for any prince-clear sparkling. mountain water
pped. through the entire city At that time they had
been working for some weeks splendid sewer
system which gave evidence of being the best of it's
size in Colorado. The mail system, although having
many defects, well organized. The free delivery
sy stem working nicely with promise of improve
ment. The electric light plant which had been In
stalled only a short time, was owned by the town
and rates were comparatively low.
In a place always inquiries for school and
church facilities. Paonia's response was favorable.
The graded school having attendance Of about six
hundred, under splendid management. Fourteen
teachers employed besides n music and drawing
teacher. The buildings large and well equipped
The high school was n credit to Paona. About one
hundred and ten pupils enrolled, with six
teachers besides the principal The building was very