North Fork Historical Society Incorporated

03/06/2026

Back in 1978, the Grand Avenue planters, were purchased and planted.

Mr. George Young who was project manager, organized 40 workers, and after a hefty breakfast at the Cave Cafe, some 36 trees were planted and watered in a little over an hours time.

Those planters are 48 years old and still being used to beautify the Town.

01/15/2026

https://www.highcountryspotlight.com/historical_highlights/a-hill-of-their-own-the-story-of-fawn-valley-ski-area/article_a680f2ec-f895-40ae-aad3-f9dce2011c0c.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawPWMdpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeSOLYS-zFSUawAjYVNQfVy6oWSj6N7h5-6SxWccOjQ3DP1vMF-bFGQq7KleU_aem_EC2_y4RWA6twomo5oMMsww

Long before skiing in Colorado became a billion-dollar industry defined by high-speed gondolas and soulless McMansions, the state was peppered with several small, scrappy ski hills. Most of them offered

12/12/2025

12/05/2025

Great Holiday gift- The History of the North Fork Valley book- available at the Paonia museum- just $10.

12/03/2025

Fawn Valley Ski Area-
Fawn Valley was a ski area in the 1960’s, located just above Somerset, CO. It opened in 1966 until 1969.
Developers, and owners, of the area were Pat Conkle, Cliff Davis and Stanley Jacobs of Paonia.

There were three rope tows going up the mountain. Tow lines one and two were equipped with lights so people could enjoy night time skiing as well as skiing during the day.

Fawn Valley rented skis, poles and boots which were provided by Pat’s N’ Chads, a business in Paonia run by one of the Fawn Vally owners, Pat Conkle.
There was a warming hut where Wilda Bruce would cook and serve up hot dogs, hamburgers and chili. Of course there was always hot cocoa available.

Delta County Schools rented Fawn Valley for children to learn to ski. Many children and their families learned to ski there.

Fawn Valley eventually had to close because of the Colorado Tramway Board regulations. It became too costly for small ski areas like Fawn Valley to stay in business, but it brought joy to so many while it was there.

12/01/2025

From the Paonian Newspaper, December 1, 1949.
76 years ago the Town of Paonia was celebrating the grand opening of its 1949 Christmas season in a very big and traditional way.
Promptly at 7o’clock Saturday evening on December 3rd, 1949, the Christmas lights were lit, joyous music was played by the High School Band and Chorus and the Lion’s Club Band and the downtown business merchandise displays were unveiled.

07/03/2025

The Museum has some wonderful Paonia fruit label prints for sale. Prints are $20 each.
Come see us at the Cherry Days Ice Cream Social on Friday July 4th from 1-4 pm at the River Park, 700 Shady Lane, Paonia.

07/03/2025

https://www.highcountryspotlight.com/signature_stories/grand-marshal-lynne-bear-rooted-in-paonia/article_299390b6-83e5-4fdb-a6e1-1f750fb67f2b.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawLTU3tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFMNHVyVU55Y2Jqbm1MemVkAR5DVraGq8fwPPds9q-Yq0XiYG4h0aAgY1uZ6NRK8gLRom7nz6FWz3rQgAaRfg_aem_MbYZiMiQmS9DNZdQ9BbyMw

This year's Cherry Days Parade will feature a familiar face in the procession. At 98 years old, Lynne Bear has been named Grand Marshal, a title that honors not only

06/26/2025

Paonia Cherry Days buttons from 1982-2025! Happy Independence Day and Cherry Days!