For those of you who never lived there I will have to tell you that there was never a place where one could feel more secure. That despite the hospital being a mental institution. It was a magic place to grow up. Everyone knew absolutely everyone. There were no real secrets. It was also an incredible place at Christmas Time. Back before the ACLU decided to rewrite the Bill of Rights, Ft. Lyon had some of the most beautiful Christmas decorations going. The parade field to the south of "C" street was ablaze as many if not most of the evergreen trees were blanketed in colored lights. There were also lights on the guy wires of the flag pole in the center of the parade field.
There was also a big well lit star on the administration building and a lighted cross on the water tower (the old tower) I am sure those of you who lived in Las Animas and the area surrounding
Ft. Lyon could easily see the cross. That is an image that is burned into my memory and will be there for the rest of my life.
We also had a heck of a big Christmas Party at the theatre. Mr. Terboss would play the organ and we would sing Christmas Carols. We all got to see Santa Claus and got a bag of hard candy.
From a kid's perspective Ft. Lyon was a great place to live. All of that will be gone along with much that I was not even aware of. Many fine people from places all over The United States came to work at Ft. Lyon. They along with many truly wonderful people from the local community came together to make the fort what it was. I can't imagine that Las Animas will not be affected by the change. While it may prove an economic plus to Bent County, the loss of part of it's identity can't benefit it. Good bye to Ft. Lyon, those of us who grew up there will not forget you even if the government, that gave you birth, will.
Steve Finney (68)
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Littleton, CO
