INTRODUCING THE AUTHOR
Probably no town in the world has experienced more dramatic changes in a lifetime, than has the quarry town of Marble, Colo. and one of the few living persons who knows the story of each phase of Marble’s history is Theresa Herman Francis. She and her husband, Bill, now spend only the summers (winters in Tucson, Ariz.) in the white and green house in Marble that was her year ’round home for 33 years.
One of the town’s active citizens during the 20’s and 30’s when the population of Marble numbered in the thousands, Theresa changed her life very little when Marble became a ghost town in 1945. Although living alone in town most of the time, she did not become a recluse, but remained the same cheerful, energetic, neighborly person she had always been. By hard work and ingenious use of materials familiar to her through the years of teaching arts and crafts in the Marble and other schools, she established an independent living for herself. By patiently and accurately answering dozens of questions thousands of times, and by friendly help to all of the people who stopped at her roadside stand every summer, Theresa has made many friends for herself and for Marble. By her enthusiasm for, and faith in the future of Marble, she has done more than any other person toward bringing her beloved town back to life.
Half in fun, half in tribute, Loey Rinquist of Aspen, Colo. once began a Christmas card to her, “Dear Mrs. Marble.” It is “Mrs. Marble” herself who has written the story of Marble for you. Her long teaching experience, and her years of answering questions for tourists, have prepared her to answer all of your questions, herein exactly as they have occurred.
This booklet will serve as guide, and be an interesting and accurate record of your trip through beautiful and historic Crystal River Valley.
Marian M. Paschal Marble and Fort Collins, Colo. La Paz, Bolivia, South America
CHAIR MOUNTAIN, CRYSTAL RIVER AND HIGHWAY—just above Hays Creek Falls, nine miles below Marble. Lower road was the Crystal River & San Juan railroad bed, converted to a road in 1945. The upper road (Bunker Hill road) was used for general transportation prior to this time. Beautiful Chair Mountain, covered with snow, can be seen in the background. —Photo courtesy John B. Schutte, Glenwood Spgs., Colo.
Crystal River Saga
Lore
of the
Colorado
Rockies
Author
THERESA V. FRANCIS
in association with
Will L. Francis
MARBLE via
Carbondale, Colorado
U. S. A.
COPYRIGHT © 1959
by
Theresa V. Francis and Will L. Francis
MARBLE via
CARBONDALE, COLORADO
1st Edition, 1959, 5,000 Copies
2nd Edition, 1962, 5,000 Copies
3rd Edition, 1966, 5,000 Copies
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publishers, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in an article to be published in a magazine or newspaper.
HOME OF THE AUTHOR—She has lived in this house since coming to Marble in 1923. —Photo courtesy Glen L. Gebhardt, Denver, Colo.
Printed in the United States of America
POERTNER LITHOGRAPHING CO.
DENVER, COLO.