Locals and visitors alike looked forward to the enviable Fourth of July celebrations in Beulah—cool pines, exceptional views, patriotic speeches, all-night dances, heartfelt dedications, raucous revelry, athletic competition, and delicious barbecues! An allegiance to the homeland was further embraced when Mace’s Hole was renamed Beulah in 1876, coinciding with Colorado’s statehood, and the 100 year anniversary of our nation adopting the Declaration of Independence. The patriotic holiday highlighted a strong sense of community, including organizers, volunteers, participants; everyone was eager to be involved. Everyone worked together to make each event special. The following local newspaper articles though the years will have you pining for the good old days.
July 4, 1885 – Colorado Daily Chieftain: On Friday last the people in and around Beulah began to gather in large numbers for the purpose of celebrating the glorious fourth in a proper manner. There was also a fair sprinkling of people from Pueblo present, and from what we can learn think some of the country girls succeeded in making very favorable impressions upon some of the popular young men who participated in the festivities. There was a grand dance at the public hall on Friday night, which was kept up until the sun rose on the morning of the Fourth, a splendid supper being served at midnight at Patton’s hotel. On the fourth a fine church bell, weighing about 700 pounds, donated to the M. E. Church South by the “Beulah Cow Boys” was raised, and now the sweet tones of the bell call the people of that prosperous section to worship on the Sabbath. Immediately after the hanging of the bell another dance was inaugurated by the young people and kept up till 4 o'clock in the afternoon. In the evening came fireworks, social parties, strolls upon the hill sides, etc., and those persons from Pueblo who were present say they were never treated better or more hospitably anywhere, and never had a better time.
July 4, 1890 - Colorado Daily Chieftain: Another celebration was held at Seller’s lakes lasting til day. It commenced with the firing of anvils [the practice of firing an anvil into the air with gunpowder] in the early morning, public speaking and singing in the forenoon, horse racing, foot racing, etc., in the afternoon, and a fine dance in a pavilion near the lakes in the evening.. The grounds where both celebrations were held had been very tastefully prepared for the festivities of the day, the national colors and evergreens being used in great abundance in the decorations. Fire crackers and fireworks were plentiful all over town and visitors could not gainsay the patriotism of
our little mountain town.
July 4, 1897 – Colorado Weekly, Beulah Notes: The Fourth was observed on Saturday. A flag drill was given by children to represent the different states. There were speeches, music, recitations, the reading of the Declaration of Independence and other patriotic demonstrations. The amusement features were a fancy horseback parade, horse and burro races, a baby show, and a dance in the evening. A shooting gallery and a concert also contributed to the day’s enjoyment.
July 4, 1904 – Indicator: Dr. Sommers, in his best voice, read the grand old document which will ever cause the breast to heave and the tear spring to the eye of every loyal citizen of the United States, the Declaration of Independence. The speaker’s stand was beautifully decorated with evergreen boughs, combined with flags and bunting. The parade of the order was followed by singing, speaking, reading of the Declaration of Independence and the climax of enthusiasm was reached when sixteen young couples mounted on horseback and wearing badges of red and blue, gave a beautiful drill of many intricate and pleasing figures.
July 4, 1912 Colorado Weekly, Beulah Notes: A grand barbecue with a couple of fine young steers and all the fixings that go with it will be ready free for all at noon. A ball game, dancing in the dance hall, athletic games, and contests reading of the Declaration of Independence and the grand oration of the day by Judge Rizer, will go to fill out a grand and glorious safe and sane celebration .
July 4, 1935 – Colorado Weekly, Beulah Notes: Observers of license plates on tourists cars report 39 states already represented on the highways leading to Beulah.
July 4, 1937 – Colorado Weekly, Beulah Notes: Fireworks which were set off from the summit of Mt. Nebo Sunday night made a spectacular display and could be seen from all sections of Beulah Valley. Funds raised by the rodeo held in Beulah will be applied to the building fund of the Beulah Community house.
July 4, 1940 - Pueblo Chieftain: A record crowd of 1,500 people attended the Beulah Chamber of Commerce picnic in the Pueblo Mountain Park on Fourth of July. The enthusiastic response of the people to the events of the day and the quick and orderly presentation of the program made the day one of success. Much credit is due the sponsors and committees who worked to present a finished product for the entertainment of the public.
July 4, 1941 - Pueblo Chieftain: There was more fun than a mixed shipment of monkeys and kittens in Beulah Friday as the mountain resort sponsored its annual July 4 celebration and barbecue, under the leadership of the Beulah Chamber of Commerce. A typical picnic party is tucking away the potato salad, barbecued beef and lemonade its members relax on the cool grass. The servin’ table where a batter of expert carvers doled out generous portions of the juicy barbecued meat. The grand entry, a thrill for the heart of every horse-lover. Three-legged race contestants take the event plenty seriously. The inevitable males in uniform this time from Lowry field, seem to be doing all right with the girls at the picnic.Tug of war. Boys, you’ll wish you hadn’t tomorrow, when you begin to creak in every joint. Attendance at the celebration was estimated at 800, and no casualties were reported.
July 4, 1956 – Pueblo Chieftain: 750 people attended the 8th annual Beulah Valley Saddle Club’s Hi-De-Ho rodeo. Competing in 15 events for a total of $141 in prize money. Ladies barrel race, necktie race, western pleasure and obstacle class, horseback pulling contest, ladies flag race, bending race, stake race, couple reining race, backing up race, junior musical chair race and senior musical chair race.
July 4, 1959 - Pueblo Chieftain: Puebloans received an invitation to the Beulah Valley Saddle Club’s annually July 4 Hi-De-Ho Rodeo and barbecue via Pony Express. Twenty-two horsemen riding in relays and led by Miss Peggy East, saddle club queen, made the ride from Beulah to City Park arena in 1 hour and 10 minutes. Miss East picked up the packet containing the invitation at the Beulah Post Office at 10:00am. She transferred it to another rider after one mile and then transported to a point one mile from the arena where she again carried the packet to the finish line. The rodeo, featuring mostly gymkhana events will get underway Friday.
July 4, 1976 - Pueblo Chieftain: There’ll be a big time in Beulah Valley this weekend with highlight being the 25th annual Beulah Valley Saddle Club’s SCHA approved amateur Rodeo and Gymkhana at the Pueblo Mountain Parks arena in Beulah Valley. Other events include a western dance on Saturday, a Pony Express Race from Pueblo the morning of the fourth, a Fourth of July parade. Sunday at 10:00am presentation of the community’s Bicentennial flag just prior to the rodeo program. v