Speaking to the Future:
Mildred Stewart Graves
Mildred S. Graves was born on her grandfather’s (George Patrick Stewart) ranch three miles west of Castle Rock, Colorado. Her father, Douglas Noel Stewart, was a Douglas County Road Supervisor. After the Ludlow Massacre he testified on roads and distances. Her mother was Lena Ayers. They married in 1911. Mildred Graves’ grandfather, George Patrick Stewart, was a Douglas County Surveyor, as well as Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer and cashier of the Castle Rock State Bank for several years. He owned the Castle Rock, and gave it to the town that bears its name. Mr. Stewart built and lived in the house at 422 Front Street in Castle Rock, built with stone from the quarry on his ranch.
In the interview, Mrs. Graves elaborates on her family’s history, and the history of Castle Rock. Mrs. Graves’ father was employed by the State Highway Department and they moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, when Mrs. Graves was in junior high school, then to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and then to Pueblo, Colorado. Mrs. Graves graduated from high school in Pueblo. She attended the Colorado Agricultural College in Fort Collins, Colorado, and married Edward Reid Graves June 10, 1932. Her husband taught in Vineland, near Pueblo, for three years during the Depression. Mr. Graves then worked as a Cooperative Extension Agent in Washington County, Colorado. He was drafted during WWII and served for three years. Mrs. Graves taught home economics, and was a Home Demonstration Agent in Elbert County. After the war, the Graves’ moved to Denver, then to Monte Vista, Colorado, and then to Glenwood Springs, they lived there for twenty-three years. The couple had three children: Edward Reid Graves Jr., Eleanor Hubbard and Larry Graves.
Subjects talked about by Mrs. Graves include prices from 1912-1918; the advent of electricity in Castle Rock on November 11, 1918; the flood of 1921; daily life in Castle Rock in the early 1900s; Devil’s Head; WWI and WWII; Fort Logan and training for troops during both wars; the Ludlow Massacre; Christ Episcopal Church in Castle Rock; bank closures during the Depression; and school in Castle Rock. On the second tape Mrs. Graves goes through the family photo album and gives some history on the Curtis family. Mr. And Mrs. Henry Harper Curtis were her great grandparents. She describes pictures in the album, including pictures of the Curtis Ranch on Highway 105 on Plum Creek. She also talks of the Curtises sixtieth wedding anniversary and the Curtis family reunion in 1971.
Mrs. Graves passed away February 1, 2005. Her obituary is available here from the Douglas County News-Press website.