Chris is originally from Stillwater, Oklahoma and moved to Custer County in the late 1990s, where he built his off-grid home with his own hands overlooking Hungry Gulch, just outside of the old town of Rosita. Chris is a man of different interests and talents. He served in the U.S. Army from 1959-1962 with the 378th Ordinance company, and then for another 4 years with the Army Reserves. He is also a faithful volunteer for local veterans functions. Chris is an avid collector of interesting things including a comprehensive collection of cartridge casings, Western railroad memorabilia, and a genuine mine shaft containing a colony of bats and totally exhausted silver deposits.
Chris has an independent and Western heart, loves all kinds of history, and has spent a great deal of time combing the mining town remnants exploring and looking for old artifacts. Over the years he discovered a number of interesting specimens which represented some very rare aspects of human history in Rosita, and have been invaluable to the Rosita Museum in peering back through the years and discerning the very early and heavily obscured eras. Anyone viewing the ‘virtual collection’ portion of the museum website will see his name listed as contributor on a number of artifacts.
Chris mostly enjoys the company of the sweetest beagle dog Sally and his magnificent mountain views these days, but I have seen pictures of him jumping dune buggies and heard harrowing tales of riding Cactus the horse on scary trails in the Sangre de Christo mountains, and learning to mount the horse from behind by running up and jumping, just like in old time Western movies. Chris also “shot the mile” at the NRA Whittington Center. Chris is the best shooter I know, and has never given me bad shooting advice.
I am thankful for my friend, and for the good advice, help, and neat things he has given for display and inclusion in the museum collection. The Rosita Museum is a richer and more interesting place because of him.
The Rosita Museum 