1912-1914 J.Y. Munson Estes Park Trail.Pages
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15 June 1912 – Epigraph: If the Estes Park Trail shall add another to the many attractions of Estes Park, it will fully accomplish the purpose of the publisher. 15 June 1912 – Banner: Vol. I The Estes Park Trail No. 1. 15 June 1912. Published every Saturday during the months of June, July, August, and September by John Yale Munson. Principal office – Berthoud, Colorado. Estes Park office with William Tenbrook Parke. Subscription price 75 cents per year, 5 cents per copy. [Meaning that 15 issues would need to be published in 1912 to break even on the subscription price. A total of 16 issues were published before the summer ended.] 15 June 1912 – Column title: Editorial. It is of prime importance that the Continental road through Estes Park should be built with the least possible delay. There is no direct route from the west into Estes Park, and the claims of the people of the western slope and of Utah and California are as strong as those of the east. Estes Park no longer belongs to Larimer County or to eastern Colorado. It belongs to the state and the nation, to the east and west alike, and should immediately be made as accessible to the west as to the east. Only 14 miles remain to be built in order to connect the east and the west – on a 6% grade – and all below timberline. The matter should be pressed upon the attention of the State Highway Commission, and the authorities of Larimer County and Grand County… The attention of visitors is called to the necessity of preserving the flowers of Estes Park. If our friends will cut the flowers as they would in their own flower gardens, we will very soon again have Estes Park full of flowers. 15 June 1912 – Column title and byline: The Story of Estes Park by Enos Abijah Mills. One autumn day in 1859, Joel Estes ascended what is now called Park Hill, and from this had the wonderful view down into Estes Park. Early in 1860, he moved Mrs. Estes and his worldly belongings into Estes Park by the means of pack horses. A cabin was built on Willow Creek [now Fish Creek], near the present ranch house, and thus, in 1860 was established the first permanent settlement in Estes Park. Kit Carson and other trappers appeared to have now and then visited Estes Park many years earlier. In 1864, fishermen, hunters, and scenic lovers commenced to visit Estes Park. This year, Mr. W.N. Byers made a number of attempts to ascend Longs Peak. He did not succeed until four years later when he, with Major Powell, L.W. Keplinger, and three others, succeeding in reaching the summit. In 1869 [sic, suggest 1873 at the earliest], the Earl of Dunraven with a hunting party visited Estes Park. This visit had much to do with Estes Park’s future history. There was abundance of game, and Dunraven was so pleased with the scenery that he returned three years later with Bierstadt [sic, this is true if 1873 is the starting date, because Bierstadt came to Estes Park in late 1876 at the earliest], the artist, and also made arrangements to acquire the bulk of the land in Estes Park [beginning in early 1874]. Ultimately, he obtained possession of about 14,000 acres [sic, more like 6000 acres]. He planned to turn Estes Park into a game preserve, but the invasion of settlers within the boundary of his land, useless titles which he had to some of these acres, together with clashes with “Rocky Mountain Jim” [sic, James Nugent had very little impact on his plans] and others, ultimately led to the abandonment of the game preserve idea. Dr. Hayden, the geologist, and also the father of the Yellowstone National Park, visited the region in 1871 [sic, again, likely 1873 at the earliest]. He wrote a tribute to Estes Park scenery, and in September of this year [sic, suggest September of 1873], guided Miss Anna E. Dickinson, the noted author and lecturer, to the summit of Longs Peak. During the summer of 1873 [sic, the late fall of 1873], Estes Park was visited by Miss Isabella Lucy Bird, who afterwards became one of the greatest of women travelers, and who is the author of a number of books of travel. Any one interested in Estes Park would enjoy reading her Estes Park experiences in “A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains”. A number of celebrated travelers and artists have visited this region and sung its praises, among these are Helen Hunt and Frederick H. Chapin, whose book “Mountaineering in Colorado” is an account of his experiences in the Estes Park region. The first stage line was established in 1874, and a year or two later, a toll road was opened into Estes Park. During the summer of 1875 [sic, suggest 1876], the first post office was established. Its location was in Black Canyon. It was in 1875 that the first real development of Estes Park commenced. This year, a number of families moved in, acquired land, and made the place their permanent home. The following year, 1876, occurred the first marriage in Estes Park. This took place in the residence of Mr. Ferguson, who afterwards managed the Highlands Hotel. The “Estes Park” was the first hotel completed. This was in 1877. It was built by Lord Dunraven upon a site selected for it by Mr. Bierstadt. This hotel was destroyed by fire in the summer of 1911. The first public school was in a cottage belonging to Mrs. W.E. James. This opened in autumn 1881. In September 1884, Miss Carrie J. Welton ascended Longs Peak, but gave out on the way down, and died in a storm during the night near Keyhole, while the guide was away for assistance. The first Fourth of July celebration took place in 1897 [sic, it took place much earlier]. Addresses were made, and a flag was raised close to the site of the present Estes Park Bank. Mr. C.E. Lester was the first storekeeper in Estes Park [sic, a better answer is whoever predated John Cleave at the post office and store in 1876]. He kept a little store for about two months each season, and it was not until 1900 that an all- year-round store was operated in Estes Park [sic, more likely 1901]. This year, too, the telephone line came in [this is possible, although it could equally have been 1899 or 1901]. In 1903, chiefly through the efforts of Mr. Cornelius H. Bond and F.P. Stover, a road was built through the Big Thompson Canyon [perhaps, but it wasn’t opened for travel until 1904]. Shortly after this [sic, while the year was 1903, it had nothing to do with the opening of the Big Thompson Canyon road], Mr. F.O. Stanley visited Estes Park, and was so pleased with it that he acquired large holdings of land, and invested a half- million [dollars] in hotels. His investments and enterprise proved a great help in advertising and developing Estes Park. Probably the most influential thing in the development of Estes Park has been the automobiles. During the past four years, Estes Park has grown rapidly, and each year has handled a large summer business. This business is, of course, the taking care of tourists. Apparently, only a beginning has been made in this industry, for the Estes Park region is increasingly becoming famous as one exceptionally scenic, and having a delightful climate. During the past three years, Estes Park has received much publicity through the efforts that have been made toward having the region kept scenic as a national park and game preserve. 15 June 1912 – Table title: Distance from Post Office. Boulder-Greeley Colony---3 miles. Big Thompson Canyon---3 miles. Gem Lake---4 miles. Moraine Park Post Office---4 miles. YMCA---5 miles. Bar Y Ranch (Miller’s)---5 miles. Horseshoe Park---5 miles. Devils Gulch---5 miles. Lily Lake---6 miles. Horseshoe Falls---7 miles. Bierstadt Lake---8 miles. Bear Lake---9 miles. Flattop Summit---12 miles. Lawn Lake---12 miles. Boulderfields---13 miles. Keyhole---14 miles. Summit Longs Peak---15 miles. Hallett [now Rowe] Glacier---15 miles. Grand Lake---15 miles. 15 June 1912 – Table title: Altitude of Peaks and Lakes. Estes Park---7500. Longs Peak---14,259. Hallett [now Rowe] Glacier---13,000. Flattop---12,500. Hague’s Peak---13,000. Lawn Lake---11,000. Timberline---11,000. Mount Meeker---14,000. Washington [sic, Mount Lady Washington]---13,100. Keyhole---13,000. Lily Lake---8900. Gem Lake---8000. 15 June 1912 – Column title: Social and Personal. C.D. Barkall of Boulder was in Estes Park Monday…Will Porter and guests spent Sunday at Longs Peak Inn…J.B. Reed and wife of Longmont spent Sunday at the Hupp Hotel…Frederick Ross, wife, and son John are guests at Elkhorn Lodge…Mr. and Mrs. Pitcairn of Denver as guests at Elkhorn Lodge…R. Arthur Bashem of Boulder was a visitor to Estes Park this week…Dr. Moore of Lawrence, Kansas, is spending a few weeks at Stead’s…A.G. Reynolds and wife of Littleton are guests at Longs Peak Inn…Dr. Freeman and Dr. Lyman are occupying their homes in the village…Harry Cole of Loveland made a business trip to Estes Park last Monday…Judge F.W. Stover and Frank P. Stover are spending the week in Estes Park… Alfred Lamborn has just returned from a business trip to Omaha, Nebraska…David Owens and wife of Minneapolis, Minnesota, are guests at Elkhorn Lodge…Seeword F.