Stolte Fruit Packing Shed

Built in 1909 on a site north of Cedaredge, the Stolte packing shed was acquired as a donation from Tom and Irene (Stolte) Lowe. Several problems arose, where to put it and the cost of moving the huge shed. Don Petersen made it possible to acquire the area along 2^nd Street with space large enough for the shed and a parking lot.

Funds needed to be raised to pay to move the 35’ tall, 65’ long, and 40’ wide building to its present location in Pioneer Town. To raise funds, a series of art shows were scheduled presented by local artists. Proceeds from the shows and sales from Connie Williams’ prints taken from a painting of the Stolte Shed helped cover moving costs. Kuwait’s Shaikh Saud Nasir Al-Sabah gave $5,000 to the project when he visited the U.S., Delta County, and the Cedaredge area.

The shed had to be cut in half before it could be moved down Highway 65 in September, 1991. Two house moving companies collaborated to move both sections on the same day. Electrical and telephone wires were raised and traffic directed to other routes. The first “move” hit the highway at 9:10 a.m. and the trucks proceeded down the highway at 5 MPH.

Viewers lined the roadside. School kids and “well wishers” made it a celebration to remember! By 3:30 p.m. he same day, one section was already positioned on the foundation prepared by Will Snowdon. The second section was nearby and put into place several days later.

Work proceeded as more funds became available. Grant money was obtained in 1997 from the State Historical Society for historic preservation. Donations came in from individuals. Some of the old window glass was sold.

The main floor space serves as a multipurpose facility. It has been used for wedding receptions, as a meeting room, exercise classes, and is available to showcase special events, exhibits and fund raisers. Music jamborees, gospel and western music have been played here. Annual events have been Heritage Day, Ice Cream Social, Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Soup Supper.

Upstairs, the area displays fruit packing equipment and related artifacts. Many of the pieces are original to the Stolte Shed. A large collection of the ends of fruit boxes from many of the early area packing houses, line the walls. Open house was held on Heritage Day, 2001

The Stolte Shed was one of four Cedaredge buildings to receive designation by the town of Cedaredge as being placed on the Cedaredge Registry of Historical Places.

Link for the Stolte Shed rental forms and calendar  Click Here

PIONEER TOWN HISTORY

The First State Bank

The large safe, just inside the front door, was donated by Delta County when this original safe was replaced by a newer one in the Social Service office located in the basement of the courthouse.