$35,000 Needed to Preserve Daniel's History & Schoolhouse

by Rob Shaul

The Daniel Community Club has begun asking for donations which will be used to fund the publishing of the book, Daniel, Wyoming - The First Hundred Years, 1900-2000. Approximately $35,000 will be needed to publish the two-volume historical work, which has been totally authored by local historians and writiers.

Once the book has been published, proceeds from its sale will be used to rehab the old Daniel Schoolhouse, which was donated to the Daniel Community Club in 1956.

Daniel's "official" historian Pat Walker came up with the idea for this dual-purpose project. Last year she sent a letter to the community club's board of directors with the suggestion. Hayden Huston agreed to contribute to and edit the book. Jonita Sommers (author of Green River Drift and one of the Sublette County Artists' Guild members responsible for publication of their most recent book, Seeds-Ke-De Revisited - land of Blue Granite and Silver Sage) initially volunteered to help with photographs , and ended up totally involved in all aspects of the book's preparation. Dianne Boroff, who spent many years researching the history of the Merna area, homesteads, etc., was willing to "sign on." Barbara Pape, along with all her other involvements, became the Bronx historian. Many other writers have also contributed to the book.

The book itself covers the town of Daniel and the ranching areas that, from the earliest times to the present, have received their mail through the Daniel post office. The hardback book will be published in two volumes. It will include between 650 and 700 pages, along with nearly 700 photographs and 30 maps. Anyone wishing to review the manuscript is invited to call Pat Walker at 859-8622.

Daniel's Centennial is February 1, 2000. The Club's goal is to have the book available for sale at the annual Old Timer's Picnic on July 16, 2000. To achieve this date, $17,500 needs to be raised as soon as possible. Donations may be made to the Daniel Community Center, c/o Dudley Key, P.O. Box 183, Daniel, Wyoming 83115. (Dudley's phone number is 367-6661)

A major fund raising event is scheduled for February 12, 2000 at the Daniel Schoolhouse. Cris Paravicini has planned an old-fashioned box social, and Legend will provide the music.