Thompson Park Elm Tree

 There are not many Elm trees in Longmont but Thompson Park has a majestic one at the corner of 5th and Bross.  Notice the distinctive vase-like structure of its branches.  

 

 

1962 Architect Model of Longmont High School

From the 1962 Longmont High School (LHS) yearbook, an architect's model of the planned new LHS between Sunset Drive and Francis Avenue, looking southeast:

 

 

The new school opened in time for the Class of 1965 graduation.  You can imagine how modern and space-age this campus must have been for those coming from the old high school built in 1901.  From the overhead view today, the open-roof section in the closest building is gone, if it ever happened, although you can sort of see where it could have been. 

Front Range Passenger Rail (FRPR) Community Q&A in Longmont, April 8, 2026

A group from the Front Range Passenger Rail (FRPR) District and local city and education officials led a short presentation and Q&A session on Wednesday evening, April 8, 2026 at the Longmont Museum auditorium. It was well-attended, with 2/3 of the auditorium full.  

Community Poetry Box

Curbside Little Free Libraries are common in Longmont and you'll occasionally see a Community Food Pantry but have you seen a Poetry Box?  There's one on Carlton Place in Old Town, not too far from Central Elementary.

If you have a poem that inspires you, it appears you just  contribute it:

 

Carlson-Wallace Historical Landmark Farmstead House on the Move

The longstanding Carlson-Wallace Farmstead house in south Longmont is on the move.  I don't yet know where it is going but it's been at the corner of US-287 and Pike Road since 1910.  You may know this house as being at the southern entrance to Longmont and the northeastern corner of the Prospect neighborhood.

You can read more about the house on the City of Longmont's Historic Landmarks page and I've put a screenshot below because these links tend to disappear over time.

It does make me wonder about how a designated Historic Landmark (awarded in 1997) can be moved.  Leave a comment if you know more about this, or the where the house is going.

The farmstead parcel appears to be for sale, divided up in multiple lots if I'm reading this correctly.

Digging around on the real-estate agent's listing, this property is listed on an unknown but likely future "750 Satisfaction Circle" address:


Perhaps unrelated to the house move, two years ago, the City of Longmont Planning & Zoning approved 180 units of high-density apartments/duplexes just south of this property.  This is the last undeveloped portion of the Prospect neighborhood but nothing has happened yet:

It's clear that the southern entrance to Longmont will look a lot different in the future. I'll provide updates if I hear more, and please leave a comment if you have further information.  

Screenshot of City of Longmont Historical Landmark page for the Carlson-Wallace Farmstead House:

 

4th Annual Community Seed Exchange in Niwot (2026)

First time attending a seed exchange for me yesterday, this one the 4th Annual Community Seed Exchange in downtown Niwot, at the Niwot Hall (formerly Niwot Grange) on a very cold but sunny winter day.  The Exchange was for two hours, 11 AM to 1 PM.  

A $5 donation at the door was appreciated but wasn't required to attend.

Once inside, there are separate tables allocated to different types of seeds (e.g. herbs, greens, tomatoes, onions, flowers, squash/pumpkins, etc.)

 

 

There appeared to be three types of seed donations:

1. A few seed companies provided new seed packs, as promotions
2. Individuals donated partially used packs of seeds
3. And individuals also packaged and contributed seeds that they harvested locally from their plants

 

Seed gathering etiquette was to take only the seeds you needed and never an entire pack. Rough guidance was given, like this example:  If you wanted to grow four tomato plants of a given type, take 12 seeds. Little envelopes were provided as long as they lasted, as well as other small containers (e.g. spice jars) and you were encouraged to bring your own.  Also, it was very important to bring your own marker/Sharpie to label your seeds in your envelopes and jars. 

 

 

In addition to seed tables, a few organizations and groups also had information tables, including for pollinator awareness, bear protection, and advice from master gardeners.

 

A big thanks to the gardener who supplied me with these seeds for Armenian Cucumbers, who told me they are the best ever for our Front Range climate, and supplied a helpful description!  Can't wait to give them a try.   

It's fun to think about gardening in the middle of winter.  

One more note.  The Longmont Public Library often hosts a seed exchange, filed away using one of their old wooden card catalogs.  Check with them to see if this is still available.

 

Veterans Day Parade 2025 in Longmont

It was a balmy November 11 for this year's Veterans Day parade in Longmont, which appropriately always starts at 11:11 AM.  

Frederick High School Marching Band:

Skyline High School Marching Band

USS Edmonds Destroyer Escort (DE) 406, named after Longmont's Bert Edmonds:

Mead High School Marching Band

Niwot High School Marching Band

No military flyover this year because of USA government shutdown but a civilian replacement stepped in to help:

Lyons High School Marching Band:

Silver Creek High School Marching Band

Longmont High School Marching Band

Erie High School Marching Band