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An undated photo of Main Street (Cedar Mesa Drive) looking west from Highway 65. The post office is the building second from right. Note horse and buggy at far left.A personal memoir of photographs and history that document the growth of Cedaredge has been compiled by Beryle Marah.
Beryle MarahThe spiral bound collection of photos also contains researched accounts of two robberies at the First National Bank: Aug. 13, 1968, and Feb. 24, 1974.
The photos in the volume document the development of Cedaredge from a tiny town of dirt streets where a lot of wonderful people lived, to a thriving municipality where great people still live today. The growth and development recorded in the volume spans a period of almost 50 years during which the town built projects that comprise the core of its current municipal infrastructure.
Public improvement work on installation of town sidewalks, including curb and gutter, began in 1969 and progressed through a number of years."I'm a saver," Beryle said about her collection of photographs, accumulated over decades of personal family involvement with the town and community. Ed and Beryle, along with children Terry, Pat and Bob, all took a part in the town's growth.
"I had all these pictures collected over the years," and then had the idea of doing something with them to preserve the history they recorded. "None of these (town improvements) were here before," Beryle said.
The collection documents construction of the water and sewer plants, both of which are still in operation today, and of other town infrastructure and projects.
The photos tell a story of the local ambulance service. Its small beginnings in 1959 with an 11-year-old donated hearse as the first vehicle continued through steady improvements until it became the Delta County Ambulance District of today.
In former times, town trustees attended meetings and were often down in the trenches to help with public works projects. Shown above while taking a break from helping on a water line project are (back row from left) trustees Theo Robbins, Allyn Huston, and Al Bouldin. Front from left are trustees Phil Aust, Jim Beckley and George Browness.From sidewalks to the people who built and walked on them, and more, is all offered in Beryle's book titled, "Cedaredge Then and Now."
Beryle gives much credit to her daughter, Pat, for helping with the project. Pat Chapman lives in Denver now and she is proud of her mother for taking the initiative on the project and for the computer skills she contributed to it. Beryle had all the photos and scanned them into her computer. Pat said she helped work on the book during visits home. Beryle said it took a couple of years or so to complete the project working part time. Pat also helped by working with a printer to have the book produced and spiral bound.
"My main part was to help with the production," Pat said. "Mom is the one who had kept all the photographs through the years. I am really proud of her for the computer skills she has learned."
The keys to the first Cedaredge ambulance are presented by the vehicle’s donor, Merle (and Ruby) Roberts of Robert’s Funeral Home, to Ed Marah as Dr. C.T. Frey and town Trustee George Browness look on. The ambulance was a 1948 Packard. The photo dates from 1959.Beryle says that she has had a few dozen copies of the book printed and gave most of them to friends and family. But there is a copy in the Cedaredge library for anyone who wants to view one. "Cedaredge Then and Now" is available for viewing but not for checkout there.
The book comprises a visual historical record of the town's development. But as in any account of past events, there is much that could have been included. One such event, recalled by Ed, involved undertaking the wastewater treatment plant project.
As the account is related, a Department of Health official entered the mayor's office one day and announced, "Well, you're in big trouble now."
Ed replied, "Well, if there's anything I can't handle, my wife can!"
Main Street (Cedar Mesa Drive) looking west with two-way traffic control installed at the Highwy 65 intersection.The encounter was the beginning of a cordial and productive cooperation between the state and the town to build the sanitary sewer that has been in use ever since.
Beryle's book has rosters of town employees who had served over the years, including town marshals. That post seems to have been a particularly tough one in the early years. The roster includes two different marshals serving in 1913, and four each who served during 1911 and 1907. "I have researched newspaper articles, town records, and personal recollections to be as accurate as possible," Beryle writes.
Beryle states in the book's introduction, "It is my wish that as you see what Cedaredge was like many years ago and where it is today, you might get a glimpse of the work, time, and effort that was involved in the many projects. Much was done with equipment that was not as convenient as exists today."
Beryle explains that it was an honor and a joy to have had the privilege of being a part of the Cedaredge community and of many great friends through the years also helping.
"The enclosed pictures were collected,' she writes, and reflect the projects that were part of the improvements which were done for the benefit of Cedaredge residents."
The introduction adds, "Cedaredge became a desirable town to live in due to the many good people who committed their time and energy, along with our family, to improve life for the citizens of Cedaredge."
Beryle explained that her account documents a period of the town's development that today's residents continue to benefit from.
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