Grinding stone is donated to Adams State College (11-20-07)
Kat Olance stands near grinding stone.
Frank Nance, Adams State graduate of 1963, recently donated a grinding stone to the Adams State College Luther Bean Museum, in the name of the Herbert Nance family.
"It was always my father's, Herbert Nance, wish to have this stone preserved as it is part of the history of the San Luis Valley," Nance said.
According to Kat Olance, director of Luther Bean Museum, Dr. Dick Goddard, assistant professor of social studies, offered to transport the stone from a barn near Antonito to campus. "Doctor Goddard used his pickup to bring the 500 pound stone to campus," Olance said.
The stone was set into place in the corner of a flower bed located on the southwest corner of Richardson Hall, below the windows of the museum. "We felt this was a good location to optimize viewing by visitors, staff, faculty and students coming to the building from the building's parking lot," Olance said. "We hope to have a sign in place in the next couple of months next to the stone to describe its significance to the San Luis Valley."
Nance said the stone was a half of the grist mill from the settlement of Servilleta, a town settled in 1845. The town did not survive because of raids by the Ute Indians.
"The settlement of Servilleta was on a ranch known as the Brown Ranch," Nance said. "It was owned by my grandfather and my father, Herbert Nance. When the Nances sold the Brown Ranch, my father moved the rock to our new ranch about five miles away. It was there until his death in 1967. When we sold this ranch, the stone was moved to a location east of Guadalupe."
"The Luther Bean Museum is so grateful for ASC alum like Mr. Nance for donating historical artifacts, like the grinding stone," Olance said. "We are so honored to be able to preserve this piece of valley history and to fulfill a family's dream."
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By Linda Relyea
