Articles Published About San Juan County

This blog initially was used to archive articles written by Janet Wilcox and published by Neil and Becky Joslin in the Blue Mountain Panorama. In 2019 it was revived and includes articles printed in the San Juan Record, as well as other venues. By republishing digitally, more photographs can be added, and comments and corrections can be quickly upgraded. A blog is a more permanent historical location and is searchable. Thank you for reading my articles in the newspaper, as well as on the Internet. If you have ideas for stories, please contact me at 42janetkw@gmail.com

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Dr. D. Gibbons Home Torn Down

Day 1 of the official demolition of the Dee Gibbons home July 10, 2012.  The Gibbons home was used for over 20 years as an integral part of the San Juan Campus.  Prior to the 10th, inside doors, windows & fixtures had been removed, but once the roof was removed the die was cast, and the beautiful home was soon destroyed.












Day 2 Tri-Hurst (De)Construction made quick work of demolishing the front and upper floors of the Gibbons home the 2nd day  on July 11





By Day 3 -- all that was left to remove was the basement of the home and the beautiful west arches on the west.    It is a sad ending to one of the most beautiful homes in Blanding and a reminder of how our little community college began.

Our family was personally connected to Dr. Gibbons and his family, as they lived in our ward and neighborhood for many years.  He delivered 5 of our eight children, doing a masterful job at performing C-sections.  Because our wedding anniversaries were in the same month, we often helped orchestrate December Anniversary parties, and Dee and Beppy were a part of that as well.  

In the early days of my journalism career for the San Juan Record, I wrote a feature story about his practice, and how federal and state regulations were nearly driving him out of business.  It was a sympathetic look at what rural doctors do to provide service.  He was also instrumental in getting Dr. Jim Redd into med school and to come back to practice in Blanding.  

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