City of Montrose Announces Time Capsule Opening

Montrose, CO — The City of Montrose is excited to announce the opening of a 50-year-old time capsule located just outside City Hall. The removal of the capsule from its underground location will take place on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, at 11 a.m. 

The time capsule was buried in 1970 to commemorate the installation of the ship’s bell from the USS Montrose and contains a glimpse of Montrose 50 years ago. Some items known to be included in the capsule are a map of the city, local restaurant menu, cassette tapes featuring popular songs from 1970, stamps, coins, and a copy of the Montrose Daily Press’ “Americanism” issue from the weekend of the capsule burial in April 1970.

To allow for proper social distancing and public safety in line with current COVID-19 response guidelines, a small public gathering in Centennial Plaza is planned to commemorate the capsule’s opening. This gathering will feature remarks from Mayor Barbara Bynum and a special guest who was present at the initial capsule burial. 

Following the ceremony, the capsule will be taken to the Centennial Meeting Room where its contents will be removed, cataloged, and preserved by a small group of city staff. 

Photos and details about the items will be released to the public the following day and items will be put on display in glass cases at the Downtown Visitor Center located at 107 South Cascade Ave. 

The USS Montrose was a Haskell-class attack transport of the U.S. Navy that was decommissioned in late 1969 following years of service in World War II and both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

For more information regarding the time capsule, please contact Deputy City Clerk Mikayla Unruh at 970.240.1421.

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