Hotel Colorado Opening in 1893 an Opulent Event
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Hotel Colorado opening in 1893 an opulent event Mrs. I.N.Bunting, circa 1890. Museum of Western Colorado photo By Kathy Jordan (Editor’s Note: When Glenwood Springs’ glamorous Hotel Colorado opened in 1893, among invited weekend guests were Mr. and Mrs. I. N. Bunting. Bunting was then the publisher of The Daily Sentinel. Following is an imaginary entry in Mrs. Bunting’s diary, telling of the wondrous events in which they participated. The information for this column was compiled from newspaper accounts that ran in The Daily Sentinel, Grand Junction News, and from information in the book “Hotel Colorado Fountains of Enchantment” by Janet Koelling with Kerry Koepping.) “The invitation for opening weekend of the Colorado Hotel arrived by mail in midMay 1893. I immediately told my husband that we must accept the invitation and attend what was sure to be the most talkedabout event of the season. “The invitation included train car fare and room and board for the opening weekend of the Colorado Hotel. “We arrived at the Glenwood Springs train depot in the late afternoon of June 9 and were transported to the hotel by horse and carriage. “When we arrived at the hotel we entered by walking up broad stone steps leading up to the plaza in front, where a lawn bordered by rose bushes in many colors awaited our arrival. “Once in the plaza we could see the source of the water spout that we had seen as we were approaching the hotel. It was a fountain spewing 150 feet into the air, surrounded by a pool formed in a semicircle at each end with sprays of water going into the center. The pool bottom was covered with various colors of plate glass under which electric lights had been placed. Then the pool had been filled with water to produce this beautiful entertainment. “From the plaza we entered the lounging room in the center of the building opposite the office and grand stairway. The lounging room was furnished with elegant chairs, lounges, settees and beautiful rugs. The rugs, we learned, had been collected by Mrs. Walter Raymond on her many trips to Europe. Her husband was the one who had the hotel built. “Also on the main floor are the ladies’ reception room, drawing room, ball room, dining room, office, ladies’ billiard room, writing and reading room, club room. These are really the best accommodations and comforts that money can buy. ”There was a small court in the rear of the grand stairway with a pool or fish pond, which was filled with thousands of trout and other fish. We, the guests, could catch and have them cooked to order. “We were shown our rooms, and the accommodations were as well appointed as the Brown Palace in Denver. The guest rooms were nicely decorated and the thickest carpet I have ever walked on. An extension of the electric ceiling light that went over to the dressing table which proved most convenient. The bath had all the latest fixtures, including a marble top in which the water basin sat. “At half past eight on that Saturday night we were treated to a brilliant display of fireworks. “After the fireworks display we made our way to the exquisite ballroom that was like a fairyland, the result of hundreds of soft electric lights illuminating the room. “The electric lighting added to the beauty of our evening gowns, and our jewels appeared to be dancing as the light hit them. The men were so handsome in their top hats and waistcoats. One would think we were in New York City and not in a small town out west. “Following the ball a large number of guests took a plunge in the swimming pool. “It was a lovely party. “Each evening and at meal time an orchestra played music that filtered through the main floor of the hotel for our enjoyment. “The grounds of the hotel are shaded by many trees, and a carpet of lawn covers the area down to where the swimming pool, bath house and the spa are located. The hot springs are said to be good for one’s health. “There were many prominent guests from all across the United States attending the opening weekend. “Fellow Grand Junction friends and residents, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Lee (he is publisher of the Star newspaper), Mr. and Mrs. T.B. Crawford and Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Carpenter joined Mr. Bunting and myself for the weekend. “ We all agreed that we had no doubt been included in an historic event that would be talked about for years.”.