Staunton State Park Saves Historical Ranch Lands National Register of Historic Places by Bonnie E

Staunton State Park Saves Historical Ranch Lands National Register of Historic Places by Bonnie E. Scudder he year was 1903. Archibald “Archie” In 1918, Dr. Archie bought 80 acres of land with Staunton, a physician from Charleston, a cabin from Jensen’s neighbor, Stephen Blaine. TWV, arrived in the young city of Denver He then started applying for homestead pat- on a train bound for California. He was seek- ents and within a few years “proved up” more ing a drier climate. During his brief layover in than 600 acres of homesteaded land. Dr. Ra- the Mile High City, he discovered dry air and chael lived on their ranch, fullling Homestead ground in Denver … in February. Rachael, his requirements by raising crops and livestock for wife who was also a physician, joined him; they seven months each year for ve years. Between decided to “remove” or relocate to Denver. 1918 and 1930, the Staunton Ranch grew to in- In 1906, Drs. Rachel and Archie set up their clude 1,720 acres of rugged, beautiful land.
e medical practices and moved into a home in ranch included cabins, sawmills, and a bunk- Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. A few house. Black Mountain Creek owed through years later, the Staunton family, including their the property before joining Elk Creek to the young daughter, Frances, began venturing into south. the mountains west of Denver. On a visit to the During Dr. Rachael’s early years at the ranch, she summer resort community of Glen Elk (around treated local patients, including some remain- 1912), Dr. Rachel and Frances met a Norwe- ing Ute Indians. She also delivered the babies of gian, John Jensen, who had a ranch near the nearby residents.
ere is evidence that patients beautiful Elk Falls. Jensen took visitors and Glen suering from tuberculosis were treated at the Elk residents to Elk Falls for picnic lunches.
e ranch during the warmer months, most likely Stauntons were hooked!
ey began renting cab- during the 1920s and possibly into the early ins from Jensen for about a dollar a day to spend 1930s. Many stories from local residents men- time during the summers in the beautiful Elk tion a tuberculosis sanitarium at the Staunton Creek Valley in Pine. After several summers, the Ranch.
e presence of a “Shower House” in Stauntons decided that they needed their own close proximity to several cabins, as well as a lev- mountain retreat. eled “tenting area” right next door, lend support to this notion. Numerous “apothecary” bottles containing medicines used in the treatment of Fox tracks on fresh- fallen snow at the tuberculosis were found hidden in a cupboard Staunton State Park in the largest structure, the Richardson Cabin, entrance. which had been used as a lodge. Dick Scudder, March 2013

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co 2013 15 Logging denitely took place at this ces left after only one year because funds. In 2006, 80 acres belonging to ranch up until the 1940s. An unusual she was homesick. In the mid-1920s, the family of playwright Mary Coyle cable that transported timber across Frances sang solos and duets on KOA Chase were added, bringing the total a canyon can still be observed at the Radio, and she received great praise acreage of the park to approximately northernmost part of the ranch. for her talen t. In the 1940s, she sang 3,800 acres. With the addition of the From the late 1930s to the mid- in two Verdi operas, “ Rigoletto ” and Chase and Davis properties, it was 1950s, the Staunton Ranch was “Il Travatore ”. In both, she had the possible to create an entrance from known as the Lazy V Ranch. Summer mezzo-soprano lead and received South Elk Creek Road to provide camps for boys and girls were popular much praise. She attended the Uni- parking and picnicking areas and to at that time.
e Girl Scouts started versity of Denver, receiving her BA in develop a comprehensive trail system their Flying G Ranch at the Lazy V 1932, and her MA in music in 1945. throughout the park. during the late 1930s.
is was fol- Frances did not marry and had no
e Staunton Ranch buildings re- lowed by the Lazy V Camp for Girls heirs. After her father’s death, she ceived designation as a “National and the Lazy V Camp for Boys. In wrote her “Last Will and Testament,” Rural Historic Landscape” on Dec. the 1950s, the Mount Marian Camp bequeathing her family’s homestead 4, 2012.
e application on behalf of for Catholic Girls operated at the ranch to the State of Colorado to be Staunton State Park was completed ranch.
e Stauntons enjoyed hosting developed into “Staunton State Park” by Elizabeth Held, M.A., University their friends and relatives during the for all of the people of Colorado to of Colorado at Denver, in Architec- warmer months, and they ran a sum- enjoy.
e 1,720 acres was transferred ture and Historic Preservation based mer vacation rental business for many to the State in 1986, three years prior on manuscripts in the Staunton Col- decades as well. to the passing of Miss Staunton in lection at the History Colorado Cen- Drs. Archibald and Rachael were said 1989 at the age of 89. ter’s Stephen H. Hart Library, with assistance from other historians. to have been excellent physicians. Although Colorado received the
ey truly loved their mountain re- Staunton Ranch in 1986, there were a Staunton State Park opened to the treat, as did those who visited there. number of obstacles to overcome be- public on May 18, 2013. Phase One Rachael was an invalid the last seven fore the state park could be developed. of the park oers picnicking, hiking, years of her life; and her devoted A main concern was access to the park, rock climbing, shing, horseback rid- daughter, Frances, took care of her. as it was necessary to drive through ing, and mountain biking. Eighteen She passed away in 1946 at the age a subdivision to reach this property. miles of trails cover the park. Lion’s of 71. Archibald and Frances lived In 1999, the State of Colorado was Head and the spectacular Elk Falls together in the Denver home and at able to purchase around 2,000 acres are included in the acreage, although the Ranch until Archie passed away in from two adjoining ranch properties, trails to these landmarks are slated for 1958 at age 90. Frances was extremely to address this concern. Much of the later development. Camping is also close to her parents. Elk Falls Ranch and the majority of planned in later phases. Although she had a scholarship to the the Davis Ranch were acquired using Julliard School in New York, Fran- Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Biography: Bonnie E. Scudder is the author of The Secrets of Elk Creek— Sha
ers Crossing, Staunton State Park, and Beyond , published in 2013. See page 11.

The Staunton homestead cabin, called “Wildwood” by the family, is a two-story structure, 20 feet by 40 feet, with a large porch. The building has a large
replace of local stone, as well as a kitchen and living room. Bonnie Scudder, 2011

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