Cousin Donald Nielsen Worked at The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

This guy is my 1st cousin 2x removed, which is a fairly close relative. Donald's mother was Nora (Webb) Nielsen, sister to my great grandmother Anna Delilah (Webb) Slater.

Donald's obituary (published in The Canon City Daily Record on Nov. 25, 2011 and at Legacy.com)

Donald Dean Nielsen, 84, passed on November 24, 2011, in the comfort of his home with his family by his side 

Don's life was filled with many successes. His experiences, knowledge & wisdom came from a life well lived. Don's life partner & wife of 51 years Rosella T. Nielsen preceded him in death in 2002. They owned & operated the Sky Valley Motel for 26 years, where they raised & nurtured their family. In his retirement years, Don worked full time as the Senior Incline Operator at the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon City, CO. Don excelled in his professional trade as a Heavy & Highway Superintendent building & engineering many of Colorado's highways & bridges. His skills and talents led him to be a part of building the infamous NORAD in Colo. Springs, CO. 

He proudly served his country as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, 1st Infantry Division, "The Big Red One", stationed in Germany during the Korean War. Prior to his military service, Don was a Singer Sewing Machine Rep & Repair man in the South Dakota/Nebraska area. 

Don was born on May 22, 1927, in Verdigre, Nebraska. He believed in honest hard work, loved a good cigar and a good running truck. He loved prospecting and would trek for miles, deep into the Colorado mountains. 

Don was a dedicated father. Family life was a priority for him. 

We, his children, honor his life and strive to live our lives ever grateful & mindful of his...[list of family members] 

A sincere thank you to all our dear family, friends & Fremont Regional Hospice who assisted in this last year of our father's life. We are eternally grateful. 

Daddy, you are forever cherished. Thanks for being our Dad! Rest in peace & comfort, our beloved father. 

Funeral will be held in his home church, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 801 Sheridan Ave, Canon City, CO. Visitation 10:00 till 11:00 a.m., prior to Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 30, 2011, Pastor Robert Kippley officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Canon City. Reception will follow interment at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

Sounds like a great guy!

Some videos (I had them directly on this page, but then I got a weird error message and here are the links):
Royal Gorge Bridge

Colorado Experience (PBS): NORAD

© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Family Friday: Webb

The five surviving Webb sisters, My maternal great aunts Mildred (1900-1973), Luella (1896 – 1991), Pheobe (1898 – 1965) and Rose (1903 – 1988). In the middle of them is my grandmother Anna (1891 – 1973). The men, from left to right, Mildred's husband Louis Siemsen (1897 – 1975) and their son Alan Siemsen (1925 – 1993) and my grandfather Harry Slater (1888 – 1956). The missing Webb sister Nora Nielsen died in February of 1955.

[Courtesy of Olive Kennedy]

Apparently the building that the group is standing in front of, Fawn Hollow Tavern, was infamous in its day. However it closed for good in 1952, so they weren't there for a drink.

Fawn Hollow Tavern was located in Hell’s Half Acre, an area of saloons and brothels that were rough even by today’s standards. Holding the nickname “Bucket of Blood,” patrons would fight just for entertainment, and it wouldn’t matter if you won or lost. There is even the occasional rumor of bodies buried out back and never talked about again. 

Fawn Hollow Tavern closed its doors on December 31, 1952 at the stroke of midnight when the liquor license belonging to then-owner Mrs. Mickey Garrett expired and the city council refused to renew it based upon the establishment’s bad reputation. The end culminated as a result of an incident where Deputy Sheriff W. J. Calhoun, responding to reports of disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace, barely survived with his life after being severely beaten and left for dead in the parking lot.

If some photos on Flickr are to be believed the building is still standing although it's lost it's porch in the intervening years.

© 2015 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.