Aunt Dotty: Memories, Family History, and Montrose Community Heritage

Aunt Dotty was the youngest of the Hartt Sisters.  From what I remember, she always seemed to have that smile on her face, even when my cousin Patrick (her son) and I were soaked with mud from our frog hunting adventures.  She and my Uncle Homer Okey  married at my mom and dad’s home in California. 

The yard at 103 Maple, Rawlins, WY 
– Dotty with big sister and bunny.
Dotty, Kay (Catherine) and Lou on “Clobber” – 1924 or 25 – Summertime in Hahn’s Peak
Dotty in high school –  in 
Rawlins, Wyo. PS – Check out the photo in the Montrose section below of me dressed like Aunt Dotty in high school.
Aunt Dotty on her wedding day.
Photos of my Aunt Dotty’s wedding day.  She is pictured with my Grandma Pearl Hartt and Homer 
Okey in my mom’s home in California.

My Uncle Homer’s family came from Montrose, CO where they were pioneers in community had over the years and owned the construction business (White and Okey), responsible for building the first courthouse, first hospital and one of several jails.  

Montrose is my home and have lived here since 1991, with an absence from 1999-2005 related to my career. Below, I have included some info on the historic White and Okey buildings of Montrose, CO. Oh, and the day I dressed up like Aunt Dotty to tell the community about the Okey Buildings.

BPOE, Montrose, CO – Now the Visitor’s Center
Dresses up to look like Aunt Dotty during community history event
White & Okey building now owned by the City of Montrose
Former Massonic Lodge, Montrose, Co
White & Okey building now owned by the City of Montrose
First Jail – Montrose, CO
First High School – Montrose, CO
Montrose County Courthouse
Likely to me Montrose’s first hospital: White and Okey Building. The building now houses flats for rent. The sign reads “The Flatz: Since 1909”. I really want to see inside!