Drumm’s Map

Thanks to the generosity of Superior resident Burton Lee, the Historical Commission received his donation of a 1926 Drumm’s Map. This splendid example of cartography depicts Boulder County, showing oil and mining deposits throughout the county along with railroads, landmarks, towns and cities, including Superior.

The large 65-inch by 50-inch size of the map, along with the desire to protect and properly display it, posed a challenge to the Commission. Consequently, we solicited the help of the framing experts at Art Source International of Boulder. The result is an impressive display on a wall in the Asti Park Historical Museum. It should be noted here that Art Source International also donated generously towards the expense of the framing and for that the Town of Superior and the Commission are exceptionally grateful.

Researching the creator of this stunning piece revealed a remarkable person. Henry Drumm moved from Iowa to Boulder as a child. He was a man of firsts. He was in the first graduating class of the State Preparatory School (now Boulder High School) in 1878 and was in the first graduating class from the University of Colorado four years later. Not only was he a member of the first CU class, but he was also the first to receive his diploma because alphabetically his name appeared first on the roster of the six graduates in that inaugural class.

Over the years, Henry worked as newspaper man, teacher in Jamestown (or Jimtown as locals called it), barber, and railroad draftsman. He earned a law degree from Columbia University, was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives, served on the Boulder City Council, and, of course, was a cartographer. He passed away in April of 1937, a man of significant accomplishments, and the last of the six inaugural CU graduates to die.

We extend our thanks and appreciation to Burton Lee for his thoughtfulness with this extraordinary donation.

Commission News

Our Drumm’s map is installed and can be seen at the Asti Historical Museum beginning on Saturday, Oct. 3, our upcoming open museum day. It is also possible to visit the Grasso Park Interim Historical Museum on the same day. Of course, since the map is now permanently installed, drop by on any future museum open days to see it and the other treasures on display in our museums. October's historical site opening schedule is: Saturday, Oct. 3 Asti Park Historical Museum (112 W. Maple Street) open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Grasso Park Interim Museum (122 E. William Street) open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 Superior Cemetery Open (2580 Central Park Way) open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring a tombstone tour and candy treats!

Historic Sites Open!

We invite you to visit our two museums and the historic Superior Cemetery on Saturday, Sept. 5: Grasso Park Interim Historical Museum, located at 122 E. William St., open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Asti Park Historical Museum, located at 110 W. Maple St., open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Superior Cemetery, located at 2580 Central Park Way, will have docents on site from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. weather permitting.

Did you know that: 

• Henry Drumm’s diploma is archived in the CU Heritage Center in the Old Main building?
• Colorado’s extremes in elevation range from Mt. Elbert, near Leadville at 14,440 feet, to a low spot along the Arikaree River near the Kansas border at 3,315 feet?
• In the 1920s, a woman originally from Boulder County earned the nickname “Rattlesnake Kate” by killing 140 rattlers coming out of hibernation on Colorado’s eastern plains? She then made a dress out of the skins.