Palmer Lake Historical Society PO Box 662 66 Lower Glenway St. Palmer Lake, CO 80132 Contact [email protected]

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The PALMER LAKE HISTORICAL SOCIETY presents "Otto Kuhler: Colorado Renaissance Man" A presentation by Mike and Sigi Walker

On Thursday, June 21, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., the Palmer Lake Historical Society invites the public to the Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent Street, Palmer Lake, CO 80133 for the story of Otto Kuhler (1894 - 1977) as told by Palmer Lake Historical Society members Mike and Sigi Walker. Kuhler's interest in drawing began as a 10-year old. His father sent him to live with friends in Belgium, where for two years he learned French, experienced Belgian culture, and traveled with the family. Impressed by Belgian trains, he made quick sketches of Belgian locomotives; after returning home to Germany's Rhine Valley, he made drawings from these sketches which would affect the course of his life. He lived through WWI, serving as a German railroader-soldier in the forests of Belgium, where he met his future wife, the daughter of a Belgian doctor. At Christmastime in 1921, he decided to leave Germany for America. He saved every Mark he could, each day exchanging Marks for dollars. He arrived in New York on May 10, 1923, had some artistic success almost immediately, and was able to save enough money for Simone's passage within three months of his arrival. He had a successful career as an industrial designer, artist, independent consultant, and advertising executive. He was the designer of the first streamlined steam locomotive built from the ground up - the Road "." He created 250 etchings of industrial and urban subjects. Why then, at age 54, did he buy and move to a 460-acre ranch near Pine, Colorado? Mike and Sigi Walker are both graduates of State University. For almost 30 years, they have partnered as volunteers in various railroad heritage and historical societies. Mike until recently served as the secretary of the Palmer Lake Historical Society and Sigi serves as the newsletter editor. This event is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served after the presentation.

For more information, visit our website at www.palmerdividehistory.org