Colorado Experience: Press of the West

A printing press in the Old West was considered to be a “civilizer.” So when the newspaper in the tiny town of Mancos imported a high-end printer from back East in 1911, it was the beginning of a real community. 100 years after the Cranston Press first hit Mancos, a wild twist of fate led to its re-discovery and restoration. Now this incredibly rare press is back - creating a new community.

[@martywilsonlife]

This is an important topic! Kudos to the folks who restored the downtown and kudos to the folks who produced this amazing little documentary. Stories like this will be at the core of how future generations understand how important the small-town newspaper was to the vitality and success of the town. A fair and balanced small town newspaper in every small town and you have a thriving region. This was a great history lesson including the beginnings of a new foundation of cultural arts in this darling Colorado town.

[@justplanebob105]

My great, great Uncle, Egon Huber, was a typesetter and managed a shop in Manitou Springs called Out West Printing. He later founded the Manitou Springs Journal which later became the Pike's Peak Journal. The Penrose Library in Colorado Springs sent me a picture of the print shop with Uncle Egon and all the typesetters stopping work long enough to pose for the picture. So this story was close to my heart. Thank you.

[@kathysenn7664]

I am so pleased I watched this... I am thrilled to know the building was donated.. the history behind this little town makes my heart feel very happy...!! I would love to hear the press run, the chatter of the people coming from the walls, returning from the mouths of visitors and students and users.. Thank you, Rocky Mountain PBS, for airing this !!! God bless you all!!

[@preloprints]

Very nice story, thank you for sharing! It's great to see the restoration of the building and especially the printing press.

[@Dragon90815a]

If technology ever fails, we'll need more of those.

[@vikingwoman1988]

Wow 😯!