This Week in Colorado History: Advertising and Entertainment

Today, Colorado is renowned for its scenery and depends on tourism dollars, although this was apparently not always the case. In an article reprinted in the March 22, 1906, issue of “The Colorado Transcript,” advertising expert Charles Austin Bates posited that the state of Colorado needed better publicity and if it received a concentrated campaign, the population could double in two years. Bates argued that Colorado’s wide open spaces, rich mineral resources, and farming potential would be of great interest to potential residents. “The Colorado Transcript” added the argument that “perhaps no town in the state is so much in need of boosting as Golden.” The paper optimistically forecast thousands of summer visitors if advertising was instated.

Prominent opera singer Pauline Hall and her opera company began selling seats for their week long engagement at the Tabor Grand this week in 1906. The company was performing “Dorcas” by Harry and Edward Paulton, which “The Colorado Transcript” described as “the most successful of all modern operas” and as “everywhere… received with the greatest enthusiasm.” “The Colorado Transcript” argued that with Lillian Russell performing vaudeville, Hall had “the comic opera field practically to herself.”

Mines alumnus and left handed pitcher Carl Lempke signed with the Pacific Coast League’s team in Fresno for the 1906 season. He graduated from Mines in 1902 and played for the Denver Grizzlies in the 1902 and 1903. He also played for the Iowa State League’s team in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Local rancher C.E. Parfet returned from exhibiting his Jersey cows at a stock show. According to “The Colorado Transcript,” “As usual on such occasions, he scooped all of the prizes in sight.” Parfet’s heard earned eleven blue ribbons, three sweepstakes, and a grand champion, resulting in a total of $402 in cash prizes.



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