1975 Historical Tour
A hand-drawn historical district map of Morrison prepared by Lorene Horton in 1975.
Rooted in History · Part Four
Morrison Remembers.
In February 2002, the Town of Morrison dedicated an entire edition of the Morrison Messenger to remembering Rolf Paul.
Six pages. The town speaking for itself.
Chapter Five
Morrison Remembers · February 2002
When Rolf Paul died on January 4, 2002, the Town of Morrison dedicated an entire edition of the Morrison Messenger to remembering him. Six pages — neighbors, board members, the town clerk, the theatre company, former mayors, longtime friends. Morrison speaking for itself, about one of its own. The Messenger also includes part of the eulogy Krista gave for her father at age 31, with her daughters Vivian and Caroline just 2½ years and 2 months old.
“Rolf did a tremendous amount for this town. I didn’t always agree with him, even had to walk out of a couple meetings, but he always had the Town’s interests at heart.”— Robin Smith, fellow Board member
Page 1 — The Morrison Messenger, February 2002. A special edition: Remembering Rolf Paul.
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The memorial issue opens with Morrison speaking for itself.
Morrison Messenger · February 2002
The opening page sets the tone for the entire issue: a civic memorial in print, dedicated to recording what Rolf Paul meant to the town that knew him best.
Page 2 — “In Appreciation” and “Tidbits and Tributes.” The Paul family’s thanks, and the town’s stories.
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In appreciation, in public, in print.
Town remembrance
Neighbors, collaborators, and town officials begin to fill in the public record. The issue reads as testimony as much as tribute.
Page 3 — “Rolf Paul: Doing good deeds quietly.” His accomplishments, listed by the town that watched him work.
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With great energy, without needing credit.
Civic memory
Again and again, the memorial issue points toward the same truth: Rolf Paul worked with great energy and without needing credit. He helped bring the Morrison Theatre Company to life. He embossed Dinosaur Ridge Field Guides at no charge. He put his effort where it would matter, and let the work speak for itself.
Page 4 — “As Others Knew Rolf... the Stories.”
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As Others Knew Rolf... the Stories.
Town voices and memories
This page gathers the stories that made the memorial issue feel less like an announcement and more like a town remembering out loud. It is Morrison speaking through neighbors, friends, and people who knew Rolf in the day-to-day work of the place.
Page 5 — “An Artist, in Service to His Community.” Including Krista’s eulogy for her father.
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An artist in service.
The artistic life inside the civic one
By this point the issue has made clear that the town did not remember Rolf in only one dimension. His artistic life and his civic life were understood as intertwined.
Page 6 — “More Stories — and Quotes from Rolf Paul.”
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The issue as source material, not just sentiment.
Why these pages matter
Taken together, the six pages preserve Morrison speaking in its own voice. They are source material, civic memory, and local testimony all at once.
Original source files
Download the original PDFs
Primary source material that belongs beside this chapter as town history and context.
Download original PDF
1987 Walking Tour
A later walking tour map prepared by the Jefferson County Historical Society in 1987.
Falcon Wing · 1974
The student-created Morrison centennial project that captures the town in its hundredth year.