Museum to celebrate city’s 140th birthday on April 18

Colorado City will officially reach 140 years of age in 2021, and the Heart of West Texas Museum is helping make sure it gets the birthday bash it deserves throwing a party on Sunday, April 18.

In 1874, the Great Western Cattle Trail was blazed with the Yellow House/Colorado leg of the trail originating on the Colorado River. The following year, in 1875, Mitchell County was established. Just six years later, on April 16, 1881, the Texas and Pacific Railroad “Rail Headed” on the Colorado River and Colorado City was born.

“Our city and county are packed full of history and this history has been preserved for the past 61 years at The Heart of West Museum,” said Heart of West Texas Museum Director Mary McMullen.

Not only will the museum be celebrating Colorado City’s birthday, but the grand opening of the new KVMC exhibit will be taking place. The exhibit, donated by the family of the late Jim Baum, includes the 1950’s transmitter and other equipment Baum used to operate KVMC-KAUM radio stations. The project began almost two years ago and now is ready for the community to enjoy.

Baum was owner and manager of KVMC-KAUM from 1980 until his death in 2018. In November of 2019, the original 1950’s-era AM transmitter from KVMC made its move per Baum’s wishes to the museum.

“Jim served on our museum board, the Heart of West Texas, Inc. Board, and was an avid historian of ‘all things’ Mitchell County,” McMullen said.

Former volunteer and board member Nell Holman will also be honored for her many years of service to the museum. Holman, who continues to serve on the Mitchell County Historical Commission, is a lifelong resident of Mitchell County and her father was a local merchant in downtown Colorado City for many years.

Join the Heart of West Texas Museum staff, board and volunteers on Sunday, April 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. to celebrate the good things happening. Refreshments will be served.