Reflections from Our Files

100 Years Ago

March 15, 1923

Project Lacking Adequate Funds

Construction Will Begin Whenever Necessary Money Is Available, Thinks State Engineer

The current issues of the Encampment Echo contains quotations from a letter received by that paper from State Engineer Frank C. Emerson, with reference to the proposed irrigation projects in the valley, and we reproduce herewith a few paragraphs from the article, as follows:

“The outstanding feature of the Saratoga project, proposing to reclaim the lands east of Saratoga and upon the Pass creek flats, is that this project is economically feasible today and presents an excellent possibility for development. This project has the hearty approval of the director and chief engineer of the Reclamation Service, as a result of our inspection of same last August. As soon as the necessary funds are available, I believe we can be assured of actual construction.

“The Encampment project shows a much higher cost than the Saratoga project, and does not present as favorable situation for early development. t is believed, however, that a plan can be developed for the undertaking of construction upon the sprout also in the not too distance future.”

The following paragraphs concerning the Saratoga projects are from Mr. Emerson’s biennial report, recently issues, and indicate further the belief of the State Engineer in the ultimate building of this project, which will furnish water to approximately 40,000 acres east and north of Saratoga:

“The estimate of cost prepared by the United States Reclamation Service for the Saratoga project is $67 per acre. This estimate, however, is based on slightly higher unit prices than are prevalent at the present time.

“In the opinion of the writer, the Saratoga project can be constructed by private enterprise at a cost of about $50 per acre, which is allowable in this locality, considering the present values of irrigated land. With such a cost and with such an excellent quality of land, the project is feasible without qualification, and its early development may be confidently expected.”

75 Years Ago

March 18, 1948

Town Now Official Boss of Government Trailer Houses Here

Final arrangements were made this week for the Town of Saratoga to take over management of the Government Trailer camp on the east side of the river.

Richard G Mitchell, official of the Public Housing Administration, from San Francisco, California, arrived in Saratoga Sunday and spent Sunday and Monday here conferring with town officials. Upon his departure it was announced that the town now has assumed control of the war time housing unit.

The camp was constructed in November 1944 and was originally certified to be used by essential war workers at the R.R. Crow and Co. sawmill. Twenty trailers and the necessary sewage and garbage disposal unites were included in the first contract.

Since there is no need to house essential war workers, and the housing situation is still critical in Saratoga, the town requested that the housing unit be turned over to them for use as veterans housing.

Town Clerk Paul Pearson, who has been named administrator of the unit announced that veterans will have absolute priority in the renting father trailers. He did not know what the status of those renting at the present who were not veterans.

Proceeds from the rentals, less the expense of operating and administering the camp, will be turned over to the Public Housing Administration. Should the unit be declared surplus it will either be sold as a unit or the War Assets Administration will sell the camp as separate units at a public sale.

Pearson stated that in addition to an administrator, a full time custodian would be appointed to look after the camp.

Veterans interested in renting one of the units are requested to contact either Pearson or Carl O’Leva. Either of these men will be able to give prospective renters all the necessary information.

50 Years Ago

March 15, 1973

Youths Escape Injury in Mishap

Two Saratoga youths escaped injury in a one-car accident early Saturday evening a half-mile north of Riverside on Wyoming 230.

The accident occurred at 5:15 p.m., according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, when a 1970 Plymouth driven by Robert Johnson, 20, of Saratoga went out of control and hit a railroad crossing sign. Damage to the car was said to be heavy. Johnson and his passenger, Larry Hepner, escaped injury.