Five most significant Dates in Fort Collins History

Fort Collins has a rich history. There are a number of things that have happened over the years that helped shape Fort Collins into the city it is today. I chose the five dates that I believe had the most impact.

5. Thomas Sutherland Released From Captivity 11/18/91

Thomas Sutherland, the former Dean of Agriculture at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon was kidnapped by Islamic Jihad members near his Beirut home on June 9, 1985. Wikipedia says Southerland was released on November 18, 1991. He returned to Fort Collins after 6 years of captivity. Southerland taught Animal Science at CSU for 26 years.

4. High Park Fire Contained 6/30/12

The High Park fire was a wildfire in the mountains west of Fort Collins. It was caused by a lightning strike and was first detected on the morning of June 9, 2012. It was 100 percent contained on June 30, 2012. According to the City of Fort Collins, the fire burned over 87,284 acres. It was the 3rd largest fire in recorded Colorado history by area burned. It destroyed at least 259 homes.

3. The Fort Collins Flood 7/28/97

In late July 1997, Fort Collins experienced a flash flood during a 31-hour period when14 inches of rain fell. The rainfall was the heaviest on record for an urban area of Colorado. According to the Weather and Climate Impact Assessment Science Program, in Fort Collins, five women lost their lives, 54 people were reported injured and 200 homes were destroyed.

2. Colorado State University Got Its Name in 1957

The Colorado Agricultural College was founded in 1870, although the first classes were held in 1879. In 1935 the school became the Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, or Colorado A&M for short. According to Wikipedia, in 1957, the Colorado General Assembly approved the new name of Colorado State University.

Fort Collins Founded as Military Outpost in 1864

Fort Collins was founded as a military outpost of the United States Army in 1864. Wikipedia says, the fort was decommissioned in 1867. It started as an encampment, known as Camp Collins, on the Cache La Poudre River, near what is known today as Laporte. The first school and church opened in 1866, and the town was platted in 1867.