Cortez in Montezuma County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Cortez Public School (Calkins)

circa 1909

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 10, 2020

1. Cortez Public School (Calkins) Marker

Inscription. Originally constructed in 1909 by Pete Baxstrom using rock quarried from the Baxstrom quarry, the Calkins building was built in three separate phases.

An addition to the building shown in the photograph was added in 1923 and the final addition to the east of the second addition, was built by workers from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1935. The building was named after Dr. Royal W. Calkins who was a local physician and former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives. During the influenza epidemic of 1918, Dr. Calkins was credited with saving the lives of 42 area residents due to his dedication when other doctors in the county became ill.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 37° 20.844′ N, 108° 34.988′ W. Marker is in Cortez, Colorado, in Montezuma County. Marker is at the intersection of East 1st Street and South Ash Street, on the right when traveling east on East 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 East 1st Street, Cortez CO 81321, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Owl Café (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mead & Hengstler Lumber (about 400 feet away); Belmont Bar (about 500 feet away);

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Journal Building (about 500 feet away); Montezuma Title & Realty (about 500 feet away); Nu-Way Western Wear (about 500 feet away); Montezuma Valley National Bank (about 700 feet away); Charles Duff Mercantile (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cortez.

Regarding Cortez Public School (Calkins). The building housed a high school until 1946, when a new facility was built. It was known as Calkins Junior High School until it closed in 1968. The school district used the building for administrative offices before deciding in 2015 to sell it. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. As of mid-2020 the Housing Authority of the County of Montezuma has plans to convert the building into affordable apartments.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 10, 2020

2. Cortez Public School (Calkins) Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 202 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.