Local newspapers have never been more important in a time such as now, when mostly-global news dominates the headlines. Collecting and delivering relevant news to area citizens is something the Beulah community has held in high esteem if measured by the number of editions since 1909, when Dr. F.M. Somer’s published Beulah’s first paper called Beulah Breeze. A proud tradition of publishers, editors and writers have highlighted news, events, merchandise, restaurants, music, organizations, and the people of Beulah simultaneously creating a vital record of our past.
Early Beulah settlers came to Beulah in the 1860’s, and news from that time can best be traced by perusing Pueblo’s papers which included The Indicator, Colorado Weekly Chieftain, Pueblo Sunday Opinion, Bessemer Briefs, Pueblo Sunday Opinion, and The Pueblo Sun. Tidbits about life in Beulah were found in the Colorado Weekly Chieftain in a column called ‘Beulah Notes,’ or in the Indicator in a column called ‘Beulah Items.’ The ‘news’ read more like a social column chronicling the coming and goings of the town; however, the passages still impart helpful cultural and historical perspective. Some words truer than others.
“Many health seekers of Beulah are reporting remarkable gains in flesh during their stay in the valley. (Indicator, Aug. 13, 1904)
“At the request of Major W. F. Townsend. the large mountain lion killed by Frank Pryor, while that gentleman was camping here, has been placed on exhibition at the Antlers hotel. It is viewed by a goodly number of visitors every day, the newcomers especially proving eager to see the animal. While it is not so large as one in Major Townsend’s possession, it is nevertheless a formidable looking object. The one belonging to Major Townsend was killed about the year 1888, having been caught in a bear trap in the Middle fork or Burns’ canon, about two miles from the Antlers. It is believed that no lion will ever visit Beulah again, but as they seldom attack a person, no matter what may be the provocation, one need have but little fear of them.” (The Colorado Weekly Chieftain, Aug. 8, 1895)
In 1902 Christian Poindexter was blamed for bringing the ‘hustle and bustle’ to Beulah by reporting to the Pueblo papers that he had found gold. This news was picked up by the Associated Press, which then ratted it out to the world.
“The dry and dusty road that wanders in an uncertain line through Bogg's Flats threw a line of sand skyward for six miles the next day. The rattle and rumble of wheels, the pounding of horses hoofs became a familiar sound upon the Beulah road in those days, and a stream of dusty, excited Puebloans poured breathlessly into the village.
In 1922 the Colorado state editors met in Pueblo for a weekend program that included a stay at the Hotel Vail and side trips to Beulah ‘by 7-seat automobile.’ The large group visited ‘Camp Hamel’ along the new Squirrel Creek road, and were considered the first visitor’s on the road.
A chronological order of newspapers follows, with gratitude to Heather (Bacon) Fitzsimmons who also wrote an article for The Beulah Valley Word in 1995 about previous newspapers, and included her research at the Pueblo Library’s Western Research room. Her closing sentence rings true... “Where else would you find out about local club meetings and happenings because the written word of today becomes the history of tomorrow.”
1909 – 1912
The Beulah Valley Breeze/Beulah Breeze/The Breeze
Published by Dr. F.M Somers
The paper cost .50 for 6 months subscription, or $1.00 for a year. Dr. Somers would later become a advertising man for The Indicator in 1912.
“Beulah is to have a real live newspaper, printed amid the inspiring beauties of the famous scenic health resort of which Pueblo is so proud. Dr. F. M. Somers will be the editor, owner, mechanician and devil, though he will probably have an assistant in each of these departments. Presses, furniture, typo and ink were hauled from Pueblo to Beulah yesterday—a big eight-horse wagon load of it. Just when (the first issue will come sizzling from the press has not been announced.”
1948
Beulah News
1951–1954
Beulah Bugle
Published by Phonse Amman and Ward Stryker
With slogans like ‘We blow our own horn’ and ‘The voice crying in the wilderness’, this paper was printed on a lovely goldenrod paper. It was suggested that if the paper was successful, and had a wider distribution it could be called ‘The San Isabel Journal, or “The Wet Mountain Gazette”. The paper included a column called ‘Dear Hattie Hardscrabble’ dispensing more humor than advice.
1960
Beulah Bugle
(New look and new editor, unknown)
Aug. 1964
Beulah Blabb
Published by Fred Koury. Starting as a weekly paper.
1964-1968
Beulah Blip
Published by Fred Koury.
A weekly publication.
1969
Beulah News
1970
Beulah Breeze
Published by John and Elnora Lorje.
No fuss masthead and copied on bright 8.5 x 14 paper and folded in half. A weekly publication that had racked up 107 issues by July 18, 1971.
1976
Beulah News Magazine
by Rickey Lee Warbington
Printed on 8.5 x 14” and folded in half, this paper was usually 8-12 pages long and published every Sunday. Copies were probably mimeographed, as the originals have a blue tint.
1979 - 1984
The Valley Almanac
Published by Dave and Helene
Van Manen
Each issue was 4-8 pages covering local news and events, plus advertising.
1984-1986
The Beulah Valley Almanac
Published by Jo and Gary Schrubbe
This husband and wife duo put out the paper two times a month!
Aug. 1985
The Beulah Times
Published by Caren Huggins (Ermel) with Fred Nichols doing the layout and design.
Printed on cream color paper with brown writing, this paper was published monthly, and offered subscriptions. Caren’s sister Debbie Rose wrote many of the articles.
1989
Beulah Banner
Published by Deann Lechtenberg
1990 – Nov 1990
Beulah Banner
Published by Joy Rundell
Nov. 1990 – Dec. 1991
Beulah Banner
Published by Rick Warbington
(aka: Rickey Lee Warbington)
Jan 1994 - 1995
The Beulah Valley Word
Published by Claudia Fountain and Beulah School Students
This monthly publication was printed on cream-colored 11 x 17 paper, then folded. Each issue of the paper was approximately 20 pages.
1998 - 2003
The Beulah Banner
Publisher Marty Norris & B.J. Bogard.
Printed on cream-colored paper, the format was 11 x 17 folded in half, with up to 20 pages per monthly issue. Resident profiles were featured on the front cover of many issues.
2005-2017
The Beulah Buzz
Published by Elsa Frost and Cheri Gardiner
Approximately 12 pages, reporting community news, historical stories, local advertising.
July 2018 – Present
The Beulah Newspaper
Published by Greta Hanson Maurer
and Laura Amman
Printing 12 to 16 pages monthly,
this monthly paper starts with a historic perspective of Beulah, either a person, place, industry, or event. Advertising found on the bottom one-third of each page. 200 subscriptions are mailed each month, as well as stocked in local stands. Monthly readership is estimated to be over 1,000. v
If you have details that can help fill out this timeline, please email: thebeulahnewspaper@gmail.com