CHNC Welcomes School of Mines Oredigger

The Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection is thrilled to welcome the Colorado School of Mines student newspaper, The Oredigger, to our collection. Nearly a century after its establishment, The Oredigger’s addition to the CHNC represents a big step toward our goal of making Colorado university newspapers an integral part of our online archive. Students and non-student enthusiasts alike will now have free access to digitized versions of The Oredigger, searchable by date, keyword, and selected topics.

The first installment of The Oredigger to our collection includes over 2,200 pages of issues spanning from 1921 through 1936. Founded just the year prior in 1920 as a weekly publication, The Oredigger offers a unique perspective on this tumultuous time in our state and nation’s history. From the restless years of Prohibition to the first stirrings of the Second World War, this newspaper gives readers a window into the unique world that was mountain university life in the heart of Colorado, and more specifically, life at the Colorado’s School of Mines.

Two Mines students congratulate one another on Athletic Board victory
Image from April 9, 1935 edition of The Oredigger

In these issues spanning fifteen short years, readers can discover the origins of The Colorado School of Mines’ coveted silver diplomas, as well as the famous mountainside “M” and subsequent first ever “M climb.” The Oredigger is not just an important piece of Colorado history, but a part of the unique story that only Colorado’s student voices can tell.  We at the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection are honored to be a part of this legacy and promise not to leave you hanging at 1936 for long. The CHNC will continue to work with the School of Mines in the coming months to add more and more years of The Oredigger to our online archive so that readers can trace Mines history through the decades.

“We’re thrilled to work with CHNC to make these issues of the Colorado School of Mines’ Oredigger newspaper accessible to all. As the School’s longest running serial still in publication today, the Oredigger represents Mines history and of the history of Colorado from the viewpoint of our student body. We’ve got some unique stories to share. It will be great to add the Oredigger’s voice to that of Colorado’s other newspapers to put together all of our stories of ‘what it was like’ back then.”

-Lisa G. Dunn, Colorado School of Mines Arthur Lakes Library Research Librarian and Special Collections Manager

So whether you’re doing research, brushing up on your Mines history, or just browsing for pleasure, head over to the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection website, check out our great selection of Oredigger issues, and make sure to check back as we continue to add to the archive. We could not be more excited about welcoming The Oredigger to our collection and look forward to growing our relationship with The School of Mines as we work toward improving access to its rich history for everyone. “Give ‘em Hell, Mines!”

Madison Basch