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Museum of Northwest Colorado: Howard Sather fixes your clock

Howard Sather
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Born in 1913 in Duluth, Minnesota, Howard Sather was no stranger to extreme winter temperatures before he moved to Craig with his parents and brothers in 1930. His father, S.L. Sather, had purchased Wade Young’s Jewelry Store on Yampa Avenue in Craig in 1930. S.L. moved his wife and three of their sons to Craig in September of that year, and they at first lived in the Aristocrat Apartments, which were in a large rambling two-story structure east of today’s West Theatre.

Young Howard, who had managed the family jewelry store in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a short time, took over the Craig store from his father in 1933. According to Howard, his father gave him a cigar box of merchandise when he took over the business. Taking over the store during the height of the Great Depression, Howard found himself doing more repairs than selling of fine jewelry during that difficult economic period of time. An article in the Craig Empire-Courier in 1939 noted the young business owner dreamed of designing “modern jewelry,” but had no time to follow that ambition, as he was kept so busy with repair work.

With the return to a healthier economy after World War II, Sather was able to build up a strong business. When national cartoonist Chet Klock created his columns on various Craig businessmen in 1956, Sather was well-established and a solid member of the community. He was active in civic clubs, such as the Lions Club and the Masons, and was busy with his five children.



The Sather family, including Howard’s father and brothers, opened numerous jewelry stores throughout Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. Howard and his brother Bill also partnered in a wholesale jewelry business, which served larger chain stores. During the course of more than 30 years, Howard continued to run his Sather Jewelry Store first at 25 W. Victory Way and then, later, at its location at 518 Yampa Ave.

In January of 1965, Howard traveled to Minnesota to attend his grandmother’s funeral. Upon his return to Craig, he suffered a heart attack and died the next day, at the age of 51. Howard’s son Sid then took up the ownership of the family store, which operated until 1992.



The businesses of Craig still form an important nucleus for our rural town. The Museum of Northwest Colorado attempts to document the history of the businesses, which have served our community since its inception in the late 1800s. With the gift-giving season upon us, remember to frequent our local stores, which provide services and goods which we would indeed miss if they weren’t available. Be sure to include a visit to the museum to enjoy the current art exhibit featuring our local photographers and artists, which will be on display through the end of the month. The museum, located in downtown Craig, is open Monday through Saturday and as always, admission is free.

The Museum of Northwest Colorado loves to collect family stories that reflect our unique heritage in this valley. Be sure to bring your holiday guests in for a visit to the museum this month. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, with free admission. Call for holiday hours at 970-824-6360.The Museum of Northwest Colorado loves to collect family stories that reflect our unique heritage in this valley. Be sure to bring your holiday guests in for a visit to the museum this month. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, with free admission. Call for holiday hours at 970-824-6360.The Museum of Northwest Colorado loves to collect family stories that reflect our unique heritage in this valley. Be sure to bring your holiday guests in for a visit to the museum this month. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, with free admission. Call for holiday hours at 970-824-6360.


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