Guide to the Records of the Colorado State Grange

Prepared by Gayle Sharp


Colorado State University, Colorado Agricultural Archive
Morgan Library, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1019 USA


Copyright 2005 Colorado State University. All rights reserved.
Colorado State University logo
Finding aid encoded in EAD Version 2002 by Alicia Conrardy, 2005.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Collection Summary

Restrictions

Index Terms

History

Scope and Contents

Arrangement

Administrative Information

Related Material

Series Descriptions

Inventory

Collection Summary

Creator: Colorado State Grange
Title: Records of the Colorado State Grange
Dates: 1873-1985
Bulk Dates: 1917-1974
Quantity: 15.25+ linear feet
Identification: ACSG
Abstract: The Colorado State Grange was established in the Colorado Territory in 1874 to give support and encouragement to rural and agricultural communities. This fraternal society remains active in supporting communities through education, emergency relief, and legislative activism. The collection contains financial ledgers, meeting minutes, scrapbooks, issues of the organization's newspaper Colorado Granger, correspondence and other material related to the Colorado State Grange operations.
Contact Information: Colorado Agricultural Archive
Archives and Special Collections
Morgan Library
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1019 USA
Phone: 970-491-1844
Fax: 970-491-1195
Email: specialcollections@library.colostate.edu
URL: http://lib.colostate.edu/archives/agriculture/

Return to the Table of Contents

Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Restrictions on Use

Not all of the material in the collection is in the public domain. Researchers are responsible for addressing copyright issues.

Return to the Table of Contents

Index Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Colorado State University Libraries online catalog. Researchers seeking materials about related subjects, persons, organizations or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Subjects:
Agriculture--Colorado--Societies, etc.
Agriculture--Colorado.
Organizations:
Colorado State Grange.
Special Document Types:
Minutes.
Scrapbooks.
Photographs.

Return to the Table of Contents

History

Originally called the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, the Colorado State Grange was established in 1874, seven years after the National Grange was formed and two years before Colorado became a state. The National Grange, oldest national agricultural organization in the United States, supervises State Granges in thirty-seven states.

Upon establishing a state charter, the Colorado State Grange organized forty-six subordinate Granges and applied for membership to the National Grange. The establishment of district or county Granges occurred in 1889 with the first Pomona Grange in Darden, Colorado.

The Grange organization is a fraternal society based on both Christian and Greek thought. Privately, those who become members are taught the secret rituals of the organization. Through the fraternal rites, members can move up in the organization. Publicly, the club supports the community. Because farming and ranching was widely a family and independent industry, the primary goal of the Grange was to unite and organize these private agricultural businesses and create united rural communities. During monthly meetings, the Colorado Grange addressed the needs of Colorado's agricultural communities and worked to better the lives of those living within these rural areas.

Colorado Grange's activism peaked during and following World War II. In the 1940s and 1950s, the Grange spear-headed many military support programs while maintaining the rural communities' interests. Membership and interest in the Grange slipped during the 1970s, causing the Grange to re-evaluate the need for agricultural industry support and shift their focus to both rural and urban needs.

Also included in this collection are files from Subordinate and Pomona Granges that have discontinued their association with the Colorado State Grange. The Pomona Granges are district or county Granges which supervised and supported the local Subordinate Granges. The Subordinate Granges served their neighborhoods by offering activities such as potluck suppers and dances to bring together members of the community. Both Pomona and Subordinate Granges were active in assessing their communities' needs and appealing to the State Grange for support.

Return to the Table of Contents

Scope and Contents

The Records of the Colorado State Grange consists of documents dated 1873 to 1985 which were created largely in relation to the association's meetings, financial transactions and the activities of the Subordinate and Pomona Granges. Materials include the Colorado Granger newspaper, scrapbooks, correspondence, meeting minutes, financial documents, and membership lists.

Return to the Table of Contents

Arrangement

The collection consists of three series in seventeen boxes:

Series I: Colorado State Grange, 1873-1985
Subseries A: Administration, 1874-1981
Subseries B: Building fund, 1945-1956
Subseries C: Financial records, 1900-1971
Subseries D: History, 1876-1975
Subseries E: Minutes, 1917-1972
Subseries F: State, Subordinate, Pomona and Youth Granges, 1933-1985
Series II: Subordinate and Pomona Granges, 1873-1977
Series III: Colorado Granger, 1940-1978

Return to the Table of Contents

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Records of the Colorado State Grange, Colorado Agricultural Archive, Colorado State University.

Acquisition

The Records of the Colorado State Grange was donated to the Colorado Agricultural Archive on December 3, 1981, by Grace B. Kiplinger, the secretary of the Colorado State Grange. When the Colorado Agricultural Archive was transferred from the Colorado State University Department of History to the Colorado State University Libraries (CSUL) in 2004, the Records of the Colorado State Grange was moved to the CSUL Archives and Special Collections Department.

Processing

The processing of this collection was completed in May 2005 and included removal of all metal paperclips and staples. Special attention was given to the Colorado Granger, a newspaper published by the Colorado State Grange, which is not available anywhere else. Two scrapbooks were also given special attention because of their value in telling the history of this organization through newsletters, forms and brochures on events that the organization has sponsored over the years. Acid-free paper was inserted between any newspaper clippings in the scrapbooks. The collection was then placed in acid-free folders and boxes. Oversized documents have been separated from the other materials and include five charter certificates and one photograph. Some books and all of the brochures about the Grange's proceedings were removed from the collection. These publications have been added to the library holdings.

Return to the Table of Contents

Related Material

Related Material

Other materials relating to the legislative concerns and educational aspects of rural communities can be found in Records of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association in this archive. The Papers of Daniel W. Working also contain material related to the Colorado Granges.

Return to the Table of Contents

Series Descriptions

Series I: Colorado State Grange, 1873-1985 (7.75+ linear feet)

This series consists of the records relating only to the Colorado State Grange. These records have been divided into subseries according to material type.
Subseries A: Administration, 1874-1981
This subseries contains files of the administration of the Colorado State Grange and includes by-laws and a handbook. The files are arranged alphabetically.
Subseries B: Building fund, 1945-1956
This subseries includes lists of those who donated money to the building fund for the State Grange Building in Denver. These files are arranged alphabetically.
Subseries C: Financial records, 1900-1971
This subseries contains bound treasurer's ledgers which cover the years 1900 to 1971. Separate from the general treasurer's ledgers are expense ledgers which only cover the years 1903 to 1905 and 1928 to 1944, and an expense summary from 1916 to 1937. These ledgers are arranged chronologically.
Subseries D: History, 1876-1975
This subseries has two scrapbooks which document events and conferences that occurred from 1876 to 1958, two copies of a book on the Colorado State Grange history, two books on the National Grange history, and a master's thesis written by Wayne Fuller on the history of the Colorado State Grange. These books are arranged alphabetically.
Subseries E: Minutes, 1917-1972
This subseries has bound volumes of the organization's minutes dating from 1917 to 1972. The minute journals are arranged chronologically.
Subseries F: State, Subordinate, Pomona and Youth Granges, 1933-1985
Documents and records that originated with the State Grange but are concerned with the Subordinate, Pomona and Youth Granges are in this subseries. These records are arranged alphabetically.

Return to the Table of Contents



Series II: Subordinate and Pomona Granges, 1873-1977 (7.5+ linear feet)

This series consists of the records of forty-seven Subordinate or Pomona Granges. When a Subordinate or Pomona Grange terminates its charter, all documents produced by the local chapter are sent to and examined by the State Grange. The bulk of this series consists of documents dated from 1873 to 1974. Some of these Granges, like Cherry Creek Grange and V.E. Grange, kept regular and detailed records. These records are arranged alphabetically.

Return to the Table of Contents



Series III: Colorado Granger, 1940-1978 (1.5 linear feet)

This series contains the bound and unbound copies of the Colorado Granger from 1940 to1978 and are organized chronologically. Many issues of the newspaper are missing.

Return to the Table of Contents



Inventory

Series I: Colorado State Grange

Box Folder
Subseries A: Administration.
1 1 Brochures. 1980.
Colorado State Grange handbooks.
1 2 1957-1959.
1 3 1960-1968.
1 4 1970, 1972-1979.
1 5 1980-1981.
1 6 Constitution and by-laws. 1954.
1 7 The Grange Mutual Fire Insurance Company. 1895.
1 8 Master's address. 1980.
1 9 Officers photographs. 1874-1937, 1968, 1974.
Officers photographs. 1932. Oversized, stored in flat files
Subseries B: Building fund.
1 10 Dedication ceremony. 1956.
1 11 Donation ledger. 1945-1953.
1 12 Donor list. 1945-1947.
Subseries C: Financial records.
1 13 Bank statements. 1930.
1 14 Financial papers. 1935.
Treasurer's ledgers.
1 15 1900-1930.
1 16 1931-1956.
1 17 1956-1969.
1 18 1969-1971.
Treasurer's ledgers (Expenses).
1 19 1903-1905.
1 20 1928-1944.
1 21 Treasurer's ledgers (Expenses summary). 1916-1937.
2 Quarterly reports. 1907-1919.
3 Quarterly reports. 1920-1930.
4 Quarterly reports. 1931-1942.
5 Quarterly reports. 1943-1952.
6 Quarterly reports. 1953-1967.
Subseries D: History.
7 1 Fuller, Wayne E. A History of the Grange in Colorado, Part I. Fort Collins: Colorado State University. 1949.
7 2 Fuller, Wayne E. A History of the Grange in Colorado, Part II. Fort Collins: Colorado State University. 1949.
7 3 Jacobson, Carl. Colorado State Grange History: 1874-1875. Denver: Colorado State Grange. 1975.
8 Scrapbook. 1876-1953.
9 Scrapbook. 1954-1958.
Subseries E: Minutes.
10 1 Minutes. Committee on Agriculture. 1959 March 25-1959 March 30.
Minutes. Executive Committee.
10 2 1917 January 19-1922 November 9.
10 3 1923 January 19-1933 June 17.
10 4 1933 September 9-1939 May 7.
10 5 1939 July 9-1944 January 9.
10 6 1944 March 5-1948 January 29.
10 7 1948 March 7-1952 August 9.
10 8 1952 October 3-1956 March 31.
10 9 1956 April 28-1959 August 14.
10 10 1954 October 29-1964 October 6.
10 11 1964 January 4-1968 September 3.
10 12 1968 October 15-1972 July 19.
Subseries F: State, Subordinate, Pomona and Youth Granges.
Rosters of the State, Pomona and Subordinate Granges.
10 13 1933-1936.
10 14 1940-1949.
10 15 1951, 1953-1959.
10 16 1960-1969.
10 17 1970-1979.
10 18 1980-1983, 1985.
10 19 Subordinate Grange correspondence. 1952.
11 Youth Grange records. 1958-1967.

Return to the Table of Contents



Series II: Subordinate and Pomona Granges

Box Folder
Alameda Community Grange #474.
12 1 Charter applications. 1957 August 6.
12 2 Deputies reports. 1956-1957.
Beaver Valley Grange #472.
12 3 Charter application. 1950 April 3.
Center Grange #425.
12 4 Correspondence. 1949-1950, 1955.
12 5 Financial ledger. 1935 November-1948 December.
12 6 Financial ledger (Dues). 1946-1951.
12 7 Member lists. 1935-1936.
12 8 Minutes. 1935 November 19-1945 October 17.
Central Valley Grange #200.
12 9 Correspondence. 1952, 1955.
12 10 Building fund. undated.
12 11 Financial and members' journal. 1912-1922.
12 12 Financial and members' journal. 1922-1942.
12 13 Financial ledger (Dues). 1947-1955.
12 14 Member lists (Roll book). 1922.
12 15 Member lists (Roll book). 1939-1947.
12 16 Member lists (Roll book). 1955-1960.
12 17 Minutes. 1911 May 19-1916 August 5.
12 18 Minutes. 1916 September 2-1923 September 1.
12 19 Minutes. 1923 September 15-1934 May 3.
12 20 Minutes. 1934 June 2-1942 November 7.
12 21 Minutes. 1943 January 2-1946 November 16.
12 22 Minutes. 1946 December 21-1949 August 18.
12 23 Minutes. 1949 September 1-1952 September 18.
12 24 Minutes. 1952 September 20-1954 June 17.
12 25 Minutes. 1954 July 1-October 6.
12 26 Minutes. 1956 October 20-1958 May 3.
12 27 Minutes. 1958 June 7-1959 September 9.
12 28 Resolutions. 1953.
Ceres Grange #1.
12 29 Minutes. 1873.
12 30 Working, D.W. "The First Two Years of Ceres Grange". undated.
Cherry Creek Grange #58.
13 1 Applications for membership. 1875-1898.
13 2 By-laws. undated.
13 3 Correspondence. 1889, 1934, 1939.
13 4 Financial ledger (Dues). 1879-1883.
13 5 Financial ledger (Dues). 1885-1891.
13 6 Financial ledger (Receipt book). 1892-1911.
13 7 Financial papers. 1889-1893, 1898.
13 8 Minutes. 1874 April 11-1878 December 7.
13 9 Minutes. 1879 January 4-1886 September 4.
13 10 Minutes. 1887 March 5-1889 July 4.
13 11 Minutes. 1886 October 2-1898 October 1.
13 12 Minutes. 1889 November 5-1912 February 3.
13 13 Minutes. 1912 April 6-1923 November 3.
13 14 Minutes. 1923 December 1-1935 January 1.
13 15 Minutes. 1935 January 3-1943 September 8.
13 16 Minutes. 1943 October 13-1948 March 10.
13 17 Minutes. 1948 April 14-1958 January 8.
13 18 Minutes. 1958 February 12-1966 March 6.
Circle N Grange #486.
13 19 Charter application. 1959.
13 20 Correspondence. 1970.
13 21 Deputies reports. 1967-1968.
13 22 Elections. 1968.
13 23 Financial papers. 1967-1969.
13 24 Member lists (Roll book). 1958-1967.
13 25 Minutes. 1958 November 18-1968 April 26.
County Line Grange #484.
Charter certificate. 1958 September 2. Oversized, stored in flat files
13 26 Charter application. 1958 August 28.
13 27 Correspondence. 1968-1970, 1973.
13 28 Elections. 1968-1971.
13 29 Financial papers. 1967-1972, 1974.
13 30 Member list. 1969-1972.
Dallas Grange #86.
14 1 Member list. 1890.
Darden Pomona Grange #1.
14 2 History. 1889-1910.
14 3 Minutes. 1889 January 8-1910 September 10.
14 4 Minutes. 1911 March 8-1930 December 13.
Denver Grange #37.
14 5 Revocation notice. 1975 December 1.
Divide Grange #370.
14 6 Correspondence. 1956.
14 7 Minutes. 1936 January 22-1939 November 8.
Divide Creek Grange #481.
14 8 Applications for membership. 1957-1959.
14 9 By-laws. undated.
14 10 Charter application. 1957 September 14.
14 11 Correspondence. 1956-1957, 1968-1970.
14 12 Deputies report. undated.
14 13 Financial ledger. 1957 September-1962 May.
14 14 Financial ledger (Dues). 1958-1972.
14 15 Financial papers. 1968-1972.
14 16 Member list. 1971.
14 17 Member lists (Roll book). 1960-1961.
14 18 Minutes. 1957-1972.
Edison Grange #485.
14 19 Charter application. 1946 June 11.
Elk Mountain Grange #195.
14 20 Applications for membership. 1944-1969.
14 21 Correspondence. 1932.
14 22 Financial reports. 1968-1970.
14 23 Member lists (Journal). 1911-1913.
14 24 Minutes. 1911 April 14-1915 December 16.
14 25 Minutes. 1915 December 11-1919 January 11.
14 26 Minutes. 1919 January 25-1924 December 10.
14 27 Minutes. 1925 January 14-1934 January 3.
14 28 Minutes. 1941 January 1-1941 January 5.
14 29 Minutes. 1947 October 3-1953 May 1.
14 30 Minutes. 1953 July 31-1970 May 7.
Four Mile Grange #429.
Certificate of charter. 1936 March 26. Oversized, stored in flat files
14 31 Correspondence. 1968-1970.
14 32 Deputies reports. 1956-1957.
14 33 Election paperwork. undated.
14 34 Financial papers. 1967-1969.
14 35 Minutes. 1940 Oct. 4-1947 December 5.
15 1 Minutes. 1948 January 9-1960 February 10.
15 2 Minutes. 1960 April 13-1969 November 14.
Glendale Grange #135.
15 3 Records. 1896 December 19-1940 January 1. Microfilm
15 4 Records. 1940 April 18-1960 October 6. Microfilm
Harmony Grange #211.
15 5 Correspondence. 1970.
15 6 Deputies report. 1959 March 30.
15 7 Member list. 1962 October 29.
15 8 Minutes. 1944 March 11-1962 November 5.
Highland Lake Grange #140.
15 9 Charter application. 1899 July 3.
Hotchkiss Grange #488.
15 10 Certificate of charter. 1958 December 2.
15 11 Charter application. 1958.
15 12 Correspondence. 1959.
15 13 Member list. 1959.
15 14 Minutes. 1958-1959.
Hub City Grange #490.
15 15 Charter application. 1959 August 13.
15 16 Member lists. undated.
15 17 Minutes. 1959 November 12.
Keota Grange #247.
15 18 Correspondence. 1971-1975.
15 19 Financial papers. 1968-1975.
Liberty Grange #216.
Charter certificate. 1936 July 3. Oversized, stored in flat files
15 20 Charter application. 1913 September 30.
15 21 Correspondence. 1949-1951, 1953-1954, 1969.
15 22 Financial ledger. 1944-1968.
15 23 Financial papers. 1967-1969.
15 24 Member list. 1967.
15 25 Member lists (Roll book). 1937-1946.
15 26 Member lists (Roll book). 1945-1961.
15 27 Minutes. 1936 July 24-1943 November 3.
15 28 Minutes. 1944 March 1-1961 February 18.
Mesa Verde Grange #335.
15 29 Correspondence. 1956.
Mile High Grange #492.
15 30 By-laws. undated.
15 31 Certificate of charter. 1962 April 10.
15 32 Correspondence. 1962-1965.
15 33 Financial papers. 1962-1965.
15 34 Member list. 1964.
15 35 Members' records. 1962-1965.
15 36 Minutes. 1962 February 27-1965 November 9.
Montrose Grange #214.
15 37 Correspondence. 1953, 1959-1960.
15 38 Deputies report. 1956.
15 39 Financial papers. 1922.
15 40 Member list. undated.
Mount Blanca Grange #448.
Certificate of charter. 1939 August 10. Oversized, stored in flat files
15 41 Community service projects. 1957.
15 42 Correspondence. 1957, 1969.
15 43 Deputies report. 1956.
15 44 Elections. 1968.
15 45 Financial papers. 1976-1969.
15 46 Member lists. 1967.
Namaqua Grange #463.
15 47 Charter application. 1946 April 15.
15 48 Correspondence. 1962.
Olathe Grange #243.
15 49 Correspondence. 1954 October 22.
Park County Pomona #11.
15 50 Minutes. 1937 June 12-November 13.
Pea Green Grange #489.
15 51 Charter applications. 1959 April 23.
15 52 Correspondence. 1959.
Pioneer Grange #478.
15 53 Charter application. 1956 December 12.
Pleasant Valley Grange #191.
15 54 Correspondence. 1956.
Prairie Gem Grange #193.
15 55 Correspondence. 1961 February 1.
Pritchett Grange #449.
15 56 Correspondence. 1955.
Progressive Pomona Grange #4.
15 57 Minutes. 1935 March 8-1941 December 13.
15 58 Minutes. 1942 March 14-1947 June 21.
15 59 Minutes. 1947 September 13-1955 March 12.
15 60 Minutes. 1955 June 11-1961 October 26.
15 61 Minutes. 1961 December 9-1966 April 23.
Rock Creek Grange #79.
15 62 Certificate of charter. 1888 March 3.
15 63 Member list. undated.
Rocky Mountain Grange #468.
15 64 Charter application. 1947 April 26.
Saddle Mountain Grange #473.
15 65 Charter application. 1953 February 27.
15 66 Deputies reports. 1956.
15 67 Financial ledger. 1953-1960.
15 68 Financial papers. 1953, 1957.
15 69 Member lists. undated.
15 70 Minutes. 1954 April 7-1961 March 11.
Saguache Grange #424.
16 1 Correspondence. 1969-1978.
16 2 Elections. 1968, 1973-1975.
16 3 Financial papers. 1967, 1969-1974, 1976-1977.
16 4 Member lists. 1969-1977.
San Isabel Grange #400.
16 5 Correspondence. 1968.
16 6 Deputies report. 1956.
16 7 Financial papers. 1963, 1967-1968.
16 8 Member lists. 1963-1964, 1950.
16 9 Photographs (Building). 1960.
Tabeguache Grange #485.
16 10 Charter application. 1959.
16 11 Correspondence. 1958.
16 12 Member list. 1959.
Tri-Valley Grange #458.
16 13 By-laws. undated.
16 14 Charter application. 1945.
16 15 Correspondence. 1954, 1956, 1966.
16 16 Deputies reports. 1956-1958.
16 17 Financial ledger (Dues). 1945-1951.
16 18 Financial ledger (Dues). 1951-1967.
16 19 Financial ledger. 1946-1951.
16 20 Financial ledger. 1951-1955.
16 21 Financial papers. 1946, 1950.
16 22 Members lists. 1952, 1958, 1966.
16 23 Member lists (Roll book). 1945-1954.
16 24 Minutes. 1945 May 24-1947 December 22.
16 25 Minutes. 1947 September-1949 November.
16 26 Minutes. 1950 January 11-1953 November 26.
16 27 Minutes. 1953 December 23-1959 June 11.
16 28 Minutes. 1959 January 28-1966 December 1.
V.E. Grange #457.
16 29 Applications for membership. 1957-1971.
16 30 By-laws. undated.
Certificate of charter. 1945 May 12. Oversized, stored in flat files
16 31 Certificate of charter. 1947 November 29.
16 32 Charter application. 1945 May 8.
16 33 Correspondence. 1946, 1972-1973.
16 34 Deputies' reports. 1957-1962.
16 35 Elections. 1947-1971.
16 36 Financial ledger. 1956-1963.
16 37 Financial ledger. 1964-1969.
16 38 Financial ledger (Dues). 1946-1958.
16 39 Financial ledger (Dues). 1957-1972.
16 40 Financial papers. 1947-1972.
16 41 Legal papers. 1946-1947, 1955, 1962.
16 42 Member lists. 1958, 1971-1972.
16 43 Member lists (Roll book). 1945-1955.
16 44 Member lists (Roll book). 1946-1971.
16 45 Minutes. 1954 January 12-1961 January 7.
16 46 Minutes. 1962 December 11-1973 February 11.
16 47 Women's Home Economics minutes. 1954 January 6-September 1.
Vilas Grande Grange #443.
16 48 Financial papers. 1968-1970.
16 49 Member lists. 1968.

Return to the Table of Contents



Series III: Colorado Granger

Box Folder
17 1 1940 October-1941 December.
17 2 1942 January-1943 December.
17 3 1954 January-August, 1954 October-December, 1955 January-December.
17 4 1957 January-1958 December.
17 5 1959 January-1960 December.
17 6 1961 February-1962 February, 1962 July-December.
17 7 1963 January-March, 1964 February, 1964 September-1965 July, 1965 September- November.
17 8 1966 May, 1967 January-February, 1967 September-1968 October, 1968 December.
17 9 1969 January-October, 1969 December-1970 December.
17 10 1971 January- 1972 December.
17 11 1973 January-February, 1973 June-1974 October, 1974 December.
17 12 1975 January, March-December, 1978 December.

Return to the Table of Contents