Semi-weekly herald., 1913-05-05
IGNACI0 THE
Town WITH
A FUTURE
(By F. L. Bradshaw

Several years ago, or to be more ex-
plicit, say three years ago, if Ignacio
were mentioned anywhere except in
the town itself, it was thought of at
once as the Southern Ute Agency and
the home of the Southern Utes. sit
uated in the southeastern part of La
Plata county, on Pine river and the
Denver and Rio Grande railroad And
this was the whole extent of most
peoples idea of lgnacio and to tell
the truth, there was but very little
more at that time to talk about. But
now when you hear of Ignacio-and
you often do-the first thought is of
n rapidly growing town in the center
of that extremely fertile section of La
Plata county, known as the Pine river
valley.
Silently and without attracting
much attention in the meantime, Ig-
growth in the last two years. Three
years ago the townsite was surveyed
and until that time it was nothing
more than a field of hay and grain.
And now on this same townsite are
many substantial business houses and
neat dwellings,, and within the limits
If the proposed incorporation is a pop
lation that numbers well into the
hundreds. All thriving and satisfied
j their own minds that theirs is
ne only town for them on the map.
more progressive lot of citizens
,ould not be found and recently they
ave begun to realize that some form
self government is all that is need
ID now to make real live town of
he material at hand, to build side
nlks, install water works and light
rg system, and to do the many other
lhings that go to make life worth
wing in such town, but above all,
"c!ean up the town." to do away
it'll, control or eradicate the lawless-
ess that has at times existed in the
lwn, as in every new town, to some
xtent, and to live down and wipe
It the evil reputation the town has
cquired mostly through the misrep-
,sentation of outside people, and
trough the occurrence of certain un-
ortunate incidents that came as a
blot on the reputation of the place.
Already the preliminary steps have
leen taken to incorporate the town.
The probabilities are that within the
next thirty or sixty days lgnacio Will
Ne a full -fledged Incorporated town.
There are a few, of course, who
ppose this measure, but such a case
ould be fully expected anywhere and
nder any circumstances. And when
hey once the advantages of an in
,orporated town and see the measure
n actual operation, even they will fall
n line and help move things for bet
ter town.
While there has been more or less
,trife and contention during the brief
history of Ignacio, the foundation has
)een laid and is being strengthened
or the best town in the best section
f Colorado. Ever since the town was
tarted, two years ago, there has been
, steady growth and this season prom
scs more in the way Of development
nd municipal improvement than any
n the past, and if the one desire OF
he citizens is realized, the close OF
his year will find Ignacio clean,
nd up-to-date town and free the
ncumberance of bad reputation.
There are number of well establish
d business houses in Ignacio all doing
A flourishing business, and enjoying
he best of trade. Descriptions OF
most of these accompanied by half
tone illustrations of many are repro
duced herewith.