San Luis Preservation

Don Dario Gallegos

Don Dario Gallegos.

1830-1883

Established first mercantile business in Colorado.

Assisted with the building of the San Luis People's Ditch in 1852, and helped establish the first water rights in Colorado.

Original Building of Don Dario's Store

This is the earliest picture of the original building that Don Dario built. 

In 1874 Dario and Eulogia's daughter Genoveva married Antonio Alcario Salazar and he bought an interest in the store.

Tom's Superette

R&R Market 2007

Dona Maria Eulogia Gallegos

Dona Maria Eulogia Gallegos Married Dario Gallegos in 1850.

She was a silent partner in the store.

AFI Honors R&R Market Owners

Affiliated Foods Inc. Presented Felix and Claudia Romero with this beautiful award at the March 2007 AFI Stockholders meeting held in Texas.  The award was given to congratulate them on the 150th Anniversary of the Store.

Thanks AFI!!!

Joyce Gallegos-Romero, partner in the store is pictured with her son Felix and Claudia Romero. 

San Luis Cultural Preservation Fund

Sponsored by: Non-profit Costilla County Economic Development Council

The number of small businesses that fail in their first few years of operation is staggering.  If a business can stay open for 25 years, it is considered a great success.  Imagine a small, family-run grocery store celebrating its 150th year in business! In 1857 Dario Gallegos, one of the early settlers in Colorado, started a mercantile business in San Luis.  The store quickly became a hub of the community.  Despite two devastating fires and economic hardship in Costilla County, one of the poorest counties in the state, the store has remained opened and operated by the direct descendants of Dario Gallegos for one hundred and fifty years!

 

R&R Market is currently owned and operated by Felix G. Romero, Dario’s great-great-grandson, and it is now the oldest continuous business inColorado, located in the oldest town in the state. On June 30, 2007 the people of San Luis will celebrate this great achievement in Colorado history.  The historical town celebration will include: a historical presentation, a chili cook-off, poster and color contest for the students of San Luis, cultural music by “Mariachi San Luis” an art fair presented by local traditional and contemporary artists.

We need support to help sponsor a memorable anniversary event. This is an opportunity for you, your organization or your company to be recognized as a community supporter of something truly remarkable.  All sponsor donations and contributions will be listed in an event publication and posted on the “San Luis Cultural Preservation Fund” website.

 

This fund is being sponsored by the Costilla County Economic Development Council, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Every penny left over from the 150th anniversary event will be used to preserve the culture, history, and land in San Luis.

Thank you for your support and consideration in what will be an exciting and proud day for the people of San Luis, the San Luis Valley and the state of Colorado.

All contributions should be sent to:

“San Luis Cultural Preservation Fund”

P.O. Box 422, San Luis, CO. 81152

Please contact me to further discuss how your business or organization can participate in supporting this event.   I can be reached at 303-482-1607 or Lennellg@hotmail.com

Sincerely,

Lennell Gallegos-Ramos (Great-great-granddaughter of Dario Gallegos)

Dona Genoveva Gallegos-Salazar

Genoveva Gallegos-Salazar was born 1-3-1860 to Dario and Eulogia Gallegos.  When she was 14 she married A.A. Salazar. 

According to her daughter Belinda Salazar-Carpenter she was "a tiny woman, but big in spirit. (Moloney family book)

Women's Gold Tapestry

Genoveva Gallegos-Salazar is immortalized in this tapestry. 

She is in the red spanish dress with the black veil on her head. She is standing by the river.

The Women's Gold Tapestry hangs within the rotunda of the Colorado State Capitol.

More than 3,500 people put at least one stitch in the wall hanging.  The handstitched wall hanging tells the story of prominent Colorado women in the first 100 years of statehood.   

Women's Gold Tapestry

The nine-foot by twelve- foot tapestry in the Colorado State Capitol honors the women who were integral in the settlement and development of Colorado. 

The tapestry was made to commemorate the state's centennial and the country's bicentennial in 1976. 

The title "Women's Gold" alludes to the yellow roses found in the mining camps. 

The words on the parameter of the tapestry are "America the Beautiful", written by Kathryn Lee Bates when she was on top of Pikes Peak. 

The massive project incorporated hand-stitched embroidery and applique on Irish linen, took over 4,500 hours to complete, 1,600 expert artisans, 1,800 amateurs and imported skilled artisans from thirty eight states and nine countries. (Info from State Capitol brochure and Colorado State website).