GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — When White Hall caught fire last week, I had several calls from different media sources wanting to know what I knew about the historic building and could I speak on behalf of the Mesa County Historical Society, me being the president and all, on how the community felt about the conflagration.

Well, I didn't really know much other than the fact that it was built by some industrious Presbyterians, was sold nearly a hundred years later to Guy Washburn and renamed White Hall. The beautiful pillared brick building with its characteristic dome was built in 1900 but the ground was plotted out for the Presbyterians in George Crawford's original town plat.

The original church structure and parsonage was lost in a fire in 1890 and hopefully the second Presbyterian Church will not be a total loss. A historic structure such as this church holds memories of a congregation that goes far beyond bricks and sticks.

I'm no history expert and don't profess to be, although I'm assumed to be by many. I have a curious mind and keen interest in the past, particularly the past I see out my back door. Many of us share that need to preserve the past and that's what keeps you all reading. Our history is not a mystery. The Mesa County Library has tomes of local history books and 130 years of newspaper microfiche. The Loyd Files Library at the Museum of Western Colorado is a treasure trove of information just waiting to be discovered. Colorado Mesa University holds the archives of many prominent citizens.

A while back I did a little pop quiz. It was fun and so many commented to me; it must have been a winner. Let's try it again, e-mail me your answers to Priscilla.Mangnall@gmail.com.

1. Can you name the three mascots of Gay Johnson's Restaurant? They were immortalized in tile over the sit down counter in the First and Grand Avenue Gay Johnson's.

2. The two major downtown department stores closed and later housed museums in the 1980s. Can you name the department stores and the museums that followed?

3. Grand Junction was the first town in Colorado to do what with its water?

4. Where could you go to get a “Green River” fountain drink?

5. What prominent Basque family owned the La Salle Hotel at 159 Colorado Ave.?

6. What were the Woodsie spots called up on Little Park Road?

7. What was Latino King Louie known for in Grand Junction?

8. Grand Junction's original square mile town plat contained four parks: Maple, Chestnut, Walnut and Cottonwood. They were renamed in 1916, what are they called now?

9. What was Glade Park's original name?

10. Where did the “Uncle Bob Collins Show” first air?

11. John Otto's Legends sculpture will be unveiled Oct. 7. He will be depicted riding his horse named Rowdy with his dog alongside. Do you know his dog's name?

12. During the '70s and '80s, several films were shot on location in the Grand Valley, name three.

The winner and two runners up will win a copy of “John Otto and the Colorado National Monument” by Al Look. The book is a reprint of the 50-year-old original and is being published in conjunction with the unveiling of the next Legends of the Grand Valley sculpture, John Otto, and the 100th anniversary of the Monument. This monumental event will take place 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7 across from Two Rivers Convention Center. As a member of the Legends of the Grand Valley Committee, I personally invite you to attend.

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I'm back! Did you miss me? Didn't Garry Brewer do a great job in my stead? Call me at 260-5226, or email priscilla.mangnall@gmail.com.