Memorial Placement Discussed by Saratoga Town Council

APRIL 25, 2025 |

Photo – “Teense” Wilford – Bigfoot99 file photo

In Saratoga, progress continues on the Teense Wilford Memorial planned for construction in the town.

Loren “Teense” Willford, known as the “Voice of the Valley,” died on September 3rd, at the age of 85 following a year-long battle with cancer. Teense was a fixture at public gatherings in Saratoga and the surrounding area and is considered a local legend by many Platte Valley residents.

Last October, Carbon County Visitors Council member Ellie Dana announced the creation of the Happy Trails Committee to honor the late politician and entertainer. Dana explained to the Saratoga Town Council that the Committee is planning to create a Teense Wilford memorial in the center of town.

Since that time, the Happy Trails Committee has been working with the Platte Valley Legacy Foundation and the Saratoga town government to design and fund the memorial.

At the April 15th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis explained the town is negotiating a lease agreement for a property at the corner of Bridge Avenue and 1st Street. If the deal is successful, the Happy Trails Committee will begin construction of the Teense Wilford Memorial, starting with a commemorative bench, followed by a life-size statue.

Mayor Davis said the lease agreement is in the hands of the property owners: the Shepards. The mayor asked the Town Council to allow him to sign the contract if the property owners accept the terms of the agreement. A completed lease agreement will allow the Happy Trails Committee to install the Teense Wilford Memorial bench by July 4th.

The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to allow Mayor Davis to sign the lease agreement. However, the governing body deliberately withheld the exact location of the Teense Wilford Memorial, stating only that it will be on the corner of Bridge Avenue and 1st Street.

Bigfoot99 reached out to Mayor Chuck Davis for more details about the lease agreement. In a written reply, Mayor Davis explained that since the contract has not been signed, he is unable to disclose where the memorial will be located.

Happy Trails Committee member Ellie Dana explained to Bigfoot99 how ownership of the memorial will be handled. Dana wrote that the Platte Valley Legacy Foundation will own both the memorial and the rights to the life-sized statue, while the town of Saratoga will oversee the property lease. The Happy Trails Committee developed the memorial plan and is responsible for fundraising. Dana added that once the project is completed, the committee will be dissolved.