This week in history as reported by The Summit County Journal the week of Dec. 18, 1920.

State road building program includes plans for Summit County

The Colorado Good Roads Association is putting forth a plan that would have the state legislature put an amendment to the state constitution up for vote in order to finance a state highway system. The plan includes a high license tax on all motor vehicles to replace the present personal property tax on automobiles to build and maintain state roads; authorizing the state legislature to issue up to $25 million in bonds; and a comprehensive system of 46 main state highways, which the must be built before any other state road construction can get underway.

A route along the Blue River is included in the proposed bill. It would be known as Route 18, and would extend from the Colorado-Wyoming border north of Walden, head south to a point on Route 2 (which would go over Berthoud Pass) north of Kremmling, and from there go south to a point on Route 4 near Fairplay. The route would pass through Walden, Kremmling, Dillon, Breckenridge, the Hoosier Pass and Alma.

Option to purchase Bell Mine in Montezuma goes to Salt Lake man

An option to purchase the Bell Mine at Montezuma has been secured by George H. Short, a Salt Lake City mining engineer. The mine is known as one of the high-grade silver mines of Colorado and consists of five patented claims.

The property is opened by tunnels on six levels and has a past production record of more than $200,000 according to Mr. Short. The mine has been idle for more than 20 years, having been closed down when the price of silver slumped.

Plans are now underway for a Salt Lake syndicate to reopen the mine.

Summit County schools are found to be up to state standards

All of the schools in the county were inspected this week by E. G. Moran from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction office and County Superintendent Melissa Hayden. Except at Lakeside, every location was found to be up to standard, with only a few changes warranted.

In commenting on the county’s schools, Moran was highly complementary. He found excellent conditions in practically every school district and was especially impressed that all of the schools in the county are presided by teachers who are specially-trained for their work.

Burglars enter S. N. Huhn’s clothing store during storm

Taking advantage of the wind and snowstorm Monday night, burglars entered the window on the east side of Huhn’s store. They gained the entrance by breaking the window and managed to get away with about $6 in nickles and dimes, a few pairs of socks and a couple of neckties.

Nothing else was missing the following morning when the burglary was discovered by Mr. Huhn when he opened the store. No clue about the identity of the burglar or burglars has been found, but the matter is being traced down by the marshal and sheriff.

Local news notes from all around Summit County

• Breckenridge and the surrounding area experienced some real winter weather this past week. Last Sunday a storm spread over the county, culminating in the worst of the storm on Monday night. Windows were blown in and other slight damage was done in several places. Tuesday evening the storm turned to an extreme cold spell, reaching a low point of minus 30 degrees that night.
• The Blue Valley received its first real spell of winter last Sunday. About 6 inches fell Saturday night.
• The Dillon-Kremmling mail stage has given up the automobile mode of travel and the mail has been delivered by sleigh the last 10 days.
• The children of Slate Creek school are planning an entertainment for Christmas Eve. They are quite busy learning the plays, speeches and everything else they are planning on presenting on that date.