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This Halloween, let\u2019s take a peek into the Douglas County Historic Research Center (DCHRC<\/a>) and try to uncover the mysterious connection between these seemingly unrelated yet terrifying clues:<\/p>\n The common thread?<\/p>\n [Cue spooky music] Digital content management!!!<\/p>\n [Cue maniacal laughter]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In 2000, the Douglas County, Colorado, Sheriff\u2019s Office reached out to the DCHRC, a part of Douglas County Libraries tasked with preserving the history of this area. They had some fascinating local case materials that had reached the end of their retention schedule. Unless the DCHRC could help\u2026<\/p>\n [More ominous music] The files would be destroyed!!!<\/p>\n But because of previous DCHRC outreach efforts, the Sheriff\u2019s Office knew that there was a local institution that could save local history from an early grave.<\/p>\n The Sheriff\u2019s documents included the original case file for the Adolph Coors III murder investigation in 1960\u20131961. In addition to numerous case photos, the collection<\/a> on the DCHRC website, which is powered by CONTENTdm<\/a>, includes first-hand reports from investigators and the coroner and hand-drawn sketches of the crime scene. Archivist Shaun Boyd, who cataloged the collection, guarantees you a unique and fascinating glimpse into the forensic and police practices of the 1960s.<\/p>\nMurder! Kidnapping! Arson! Gravestones! All at the library! <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n Shaun tells us that collaboration between the DCHRC and other local organizations is an obvious choice. People doing survey research go to the county clerk for land grantor records, but to DCHRC for aerial land photos<\/a>. For genealogists, the county holds relevant microfilm, and DCHRC maintains archives of local newspapers<\/a>, oral histories<\/a>\u00a0and other genealogical resources<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve just had this very entrepreneurial attitude,\u201d Shaun told me. \u201cWe\u2019re a little aggressively evangelical. We go out and talk to everyone and tell them, \u2018Use us as your storage repository!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Courtesy of the Douglas County History Research Center, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, Colorado<\/p><\/div>\n And it\u2019s not just about convenience. Sometimes it\u2019s about\u2026Arson!<\/p>\n In 1978, the Douglas County courthouse burnt down after an attempt to free an inmate from the jail in the basement. Quick-thinking employees saved the county record books by throwing them out the windows into the snow. Helpful citizens collected and held onto them until the courthouse was rebuilt. However, not all of the books made it back to the courthouse. After some community members passed away, their families found some of the books in attics and other forgotten places and brought them to the DCHRC.<\/p>\n When people give the books back to the county, Shaun makes sure that digital copies end up on the DCHRC website. In this way, local history is both preserved and readily available.<\/p>\n But you can\u2019t rely on unsolicited donations. In an effort to maintain a collaborative relationship with six local historical societies, DCHRC helped created Historic Douglas County<\/a>. This umbrella organization brings all these groups together to coordinate preservation activities.<\/p>\n\n
Cool historic stuff you\u2019d never think to ask for<\/h2>\n
Storyteller and keeper of lore<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>One final resting place<\/h2>\n