Children also played their part. School credit was offered for students that raised gardens. “Pig Clubs” were organized and quite popular. Each member would raise their own pig to add to the meat supply. Many kids also joined sewing, canning, or “chicken clubs.” The students of Monte Vista even organized their own fundraiser in April of 1918. Headed by the high school band, they paraded through town collecting donations from the residents, earning around $160, which they used to buy Liberty Bonds.
Conservation of food was front and center of the Homefront war effort across the nation, and Rio Grande County was no exception. However, unlike many other counties across the nation, Rio Grande County not only conservedfood, but also producedfood. Rio Grande County was already largely agricultural but a concerted effort was made during the war, to produce much, much more. With less manpower available, the citizens of the county worked together towards this goal. Specialists were brought in to help maximize crop yields and minimize losses from disease, pests, and spoilage. Every acre possible was utilized. A.F. Middaugh of Del Norte, for example, donated his vacant lot near Spruce Street for the Boy Scouts to garden.
Although the fighting was thousands of miles away, the lives of every citizen in Rio Grande County were impacted during the First World War. Mikayla Baird will discuss many of these experiences during this unique time in the county’s history. The presentation will be at 1:30 pm on September 22ndat the Rio Grande County Museum, 580 Oak St., Del Norte, Co. 81132. A “Homefront” exhibit will be opened on September 11, and will remain until the end of the year. For more information visit us on Facebook or call us at 719-657-2847. The museum is open Tuesday – Friday 10 am to 4 pm and Saturday 10 am to 3pm.
