Restoration Begun on 1862 Virginia Dale Overland Stage Station
Open House June 7-8, 2013
Restoration of the Virginia Dale Stage Station, the only remaining Overland Stage Station still standing in its original location started on April1, 2013. Under the direction of restoration expert Bill Bailey of Historical Associates, Inc. and Paul Matosky, Field Engineer, theStage Station will be stabilized and restored back to its 1862 origins.
The now 151 year old Stage Station (as of 2013) was built by the notorious Jack Slade and is designated a National Historic Site. It was an overnight station for the Overland Stage, a Pony Express stop and has been in continual use by the Virginia Dale ranching residents, families and friends as their Community Center.
The Stage Station, located four miles south of the Wyoming border on U.S. Hwy 287, was recently straightened and inspected for needed repairs before undergoing the complete restoration. Due to volunteer labor, in-kind and monetary donations, and the generosity of the American Society of Civil Engineers (who chose the Stage Station as its Community Service Project for 2012), the original $326,000 restoration estimate has dropped to $135,000.
Each year the Virginia Dale Community Club, whose members own the Stage Station and the adjoining Hurzeler house (1909), have an Open House to celebrate the Stage Station's historical significance, the rural way of life and to raise funds for the restoration and maintenance of the Stage Station so that many more generations can enjoy its unique heritage. Admission is free and all proceeds go towards the restoration and maintenance of the Stage Station.
This year's Open House will be held Friday, June 7 and Saturday June 8.The theme will be "Abe Lincoln and the Civil War." The local popular band "Barely Gettin' By" will kick-off the weekend with a western dance from 7-11 on Friday at the Stage Station and an old-fashioned pie auction will be held at intermission. Saturday, June 8,9am to 4pm will be the annual quilt raffle, craft show, and bake sale.
Speakers for this year include Bruce Spear as Abe Lincoln, Joan Day as Virginia Slade, Eva Sue Littleton as Lady Moon, Wayne (Mr. History Ft.Collins) Sundberg, National Freight Wagon & Stagecoach Association, Oregon California Trails Association, American Tapestry AcappellaChoir, Stephen Hyatt (Civil War expert) Rocky Mountain High School bivouac re-enactors, Susan & Duane Kniebes (Graves of Virginia Dale) and Dick Hart cowboy poet.
Local artisans will also offer their talents.There will be food, games for all ages, animals, spinning demonstrations by Esther Nance-Beck, Kaye Collins and Helen Hart, silent auction, a General Store and the Model A Ford Club.The club will begin filling its time capsule with memories.
The Virginia Dale Stage Station is located 4 miles south of the Wyoming border on US Hwy 287. Turn onto County Rd.43F at the memorial plaque placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Stage Station is 1 mile down the road.
Visit us on our website www.virginiadalecommunityclub.org or call Sylvia Garafalo 970-495-1828 or Marcie Wells 970-568-7646.