Recently, I was asked about the history of the shop building located at the high school. I remembered that Mel Coleman was an active member of Future Farmers of America, so I asked him to help supply some of the answers. Mel brought down a great scrapbook of the “Blue Waters F. F. A. Chapter, Saguache, Colo. 1937-1941”.

The following undated clipping is from the “Crescent”:

“A much needed vocational agriculture building is being erected as a W.P.A. project on the Saguache County high school grounds, just south of the Freedle Auditorium. This is to be a concrete and stucco building 73 by 35 feet and will contain a classroom, store room and a shop for the teaching of farm skills and mechanics.

In addition to the woodworking, leather and harness work and tool fitting that has been taught in the past, forging, steel and metal work, auto and tractor mechanics and farm machinery overhauling and repairing will be taught. The building is being equipped for butchering, and plans are for voc. ag. boys to do all the community butchering possible.” 

“When W.P.A. funds “ran out” the F. F.A. boys took over, to complete the building - starting in Feb.

Mr. Gray presented the scrapbook to Mel Coleman shortly before his death. Now, Mel has brought it back to Saguache where it will be in the Memorial Room of the library. Lots of interesting articles and great pictures of an era that some remember as “the good old days.” I am hoping that someone can tell us who did the beautiful pen and ink sketches throughout the book. My guess is one of the “Kent Kids” - Lerten, R. J. or Keith.

(Pictures taken during construction of the building show six massive roof trusses which are supported by concrete columns. The walls are constructed of adobe bricks.)