Hotchkiss in Delta County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2025

1. Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum Marker

Inscription.
[1996 Original — E Clampus Vitus marker]
In the mid 1930's, this building was constructed for President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps at Trickle Park on Grand Mesa near Grand Junction, Co.

At the beginning of World War II, the building was moved to Camp Hale, U.S. Army Base, near Leadville, Co. for use by the ski troops of the famous 10th Mountain Division.

In 1947, the building was moved to Grand Junction where it was used by the Atomic Energy Commission for warehousing purposes.

Early in 1960, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Black Canyon Post #9333, bought and moved the building to Hotchkiss, Co. As well as being used for VFW functions, it also served as a senior citizen center and a local meeting place.

In 1991, the Hotchkiss Historical Society remodeled the building into the museum it is today.

Dedicated June 15, 1996 by the
Al Packer Outpost #100, Colorado
Matt Warner Chapter #1900, Helper, Utah
E. Clampus Vitus

[2007 Rededication — E Clampus Vitus marker]
Time, Mother Nature, and Mankind show their presence in history. The buildings location here at 2nd & Hotchkiss Ave. is now marked only by these plaques

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to preserve at least history. The building where the first plaque once hung has since been torn down and sold for lumber. Clamper pride once again makes excuses for gathering together this Historic Society.

Rededication
April 14, 2007
E Clampus Vitus
Al Packer Chapter #100
Colorado

Erected 1996 by Al Packer Outpost #100, Colorado and Matt Warner Chapter #1900, Helper, Utah, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1960.

Location. 38° 47.887′ N, 107° 43.17′ W. Marker is in Hotchkiss, Colorado, in Delta County. It is at the intersection of 2nd Street and Hotchkiss Avenue, on the right when traveling south on 2nd Street. The marker is located at the southeast corner of the Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 180 2nd Street, Hotchkiss CO 81419, United States of America.

Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum Marker<br>2007 Rededication image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2025

2. Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum Marker
2007 Rededication

Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Western Slope.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Hotchkiss School Bell (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hotchkiss Memorial Hall (about 700 feet away); In Memory of James L. Heath (about 700 feet away); Hotchkiss Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); West Elk Loop (approx. half a mile away); Escalante's Diary (approx. 4.1 miles away); Grand Ave. — A Look Back (approx. 8.1 miles away); Dominguez-Escalante Expedition (approx. 8.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hotchkiss.

Also see . . . Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Society Museum.

In November of 1989 the local VFW offered to give the historical society their building. Although it was a generous offer, the board knew
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2025

3. Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum Marker Kiosk
The 1996 and 2007 E Clampus Vitus markers are mounted side-by-side in this kiosk at the Hotchkiss Avenue & 2nd Street intersection.
that the building would require much repair, if not replacement soon. The same year, Guy and Margaret Raether purchased the old feed store building on the opposite side of the street. The Raether’s property also contained a historic cabin which they offered to donate to the museum
Concerns about the physical state of the former VFW building eventually led to a decision to tear it down and construct a new museum in its place. After a flurry of fundraising and much hard work from several volunteers, the new museum was completed and attached to the historic cabin. The new Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Society Museum had its grand opening on May 6, 2005.

(Submitted on September 6, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2025

4. Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum & Marker

The marker is located at the southeast corner of the Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum grounds.

Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum<br>(<i>south elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2025

5. Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum
(south elevation)

Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum (<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2025

6. Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum (northeast elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 6, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.