W.C. Davis and G.C McGee first purchased the Ida L. and Dauntless mining claims in 1888. By 1893 Davis sold his interest in these and other claims to W.F. Abrams of San Diego, California. McGee kept his interest until selling it to A.G. Bruner in 1910. Beginning in 1917 Bruner fell behind in tax payments and Charles L. Larson of Denver purchased the Ida L and Dauntless mines, in 1933 for only $200. Charles and family were the last few prospects in the town of Ironton Colorado. This became evident to the Larsons' when in 1920, only 3 years after purchasing their mine; the Ironton post office closed. The next year the railway stopped all service to Ironton.
Despite the closure of the post office, lack of rail service, and dwindling population Charles and his sons continued to build on their property for 4 years. During this time they constructed a small flotation mill, a bunkhouse, blacksmith shop, and a snow shed over the mine adit (or mine opening). The concrete foundation from the mill is still visible today, behind the adit. The mine eventually had a 180-foot tunnel and a two-compartment mine shaft. In 1937 the Larsons' shipped out 25-tons of concentrated ore at a rate of $100 per ton. Which would be $2,500, but in today's currency (that would be equal to $44,811. The same year the Larson mine began to turn a profit, Charles Larson passed away. Leaving behind his two sons Milton and Harry Larson; later the duo became locally known as “The Larson Brothers”.
Despite their recent financial success, the Larson Brothers were in debt. Which limited further development on the property. They struggled to get their mine off the ground for three years. In 1940 a man named Kenneth Gerard offered to partner with the Larson Brothers and bought out W.F. Abrams. By 1951 Gerard started a diamond-drilling program. He wanted to use the flotation mill once more; however, this never came to be. Very few leases worked the mine off- and-on up until the 1960s.
In the late 1950s, the nearby Beaver and Belfast Mines owed back taxes. Kenneth Gerard and the Larson Brothers took this opportunity to buy the mines. Milton and Harry Larson operated their original mine for an additional 9 years. People who visited the brothers said that no one left without sharing a bowl of soup with the brothers. They were said to have only mined enough minerals to have what they needed. They traded their findings in town for basic supplies and trundled back up the mountain once a month. The pair shared this humble existence until Harry died in 1959
Milton continued to live in Ironton alone. In-fact Milton (Milt) Larson was best known as Ironton’s last resident. His friends and the locals dubbed him “Ironton’s mayor”. In 1964 he was given an all-expense-paid trip to New York to appear on the television show “I’ve got a secret” where his secret was; “I am the entire population of Ironton, Colorado.” Milton may have been alone; however, he was reported to be in good spirits. He was known for his detailed stories that he entertained the occasional tourist with his tales. And he allowed children to take small pieces of galena ore from his mine, as a memento. Milton continued the remainder of his days this way, until his death in 1964.
With Milton gone the property-ownership and the mining-claim went to the Gerard family. The property remained in the family for 41 years. Like the rest of Ironton, it fell into abandonment and ruin. Thankfully in 2005, Ouray County purchased the mining-claim from the Gerard family with a grant from Great Outdoors Colorado.
The property sat for another 13 years before minimum preservation began. Fortunately, the boarding house and office building were re-roofed in 2005 and the building's structure was repaired in 2018. Today The Larson Brothers Mine is an important historic site and is listed as a Ouray County Historic Landmark. A conservation easement on the property was given to the Trust for Land Restoration and this ensures the protection of the historic site from inappropriate development.
Charles, Milt, and Harry lived and died on this land. It was an important part of their lives that almost was lost to time. Thanks to the money generated by Great Outdoors Colorado we will be able to experience their home for years to come.
Milton Larson on "I've Got A Secret":Photos from the Day:
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In this article, I would like to take a break from covering US history and forgotten places to dive into the history that is being made by the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19). As much of America is on lockdown and practicing “social distancing”, our cities are looking more like the ghost towns that I typically cover. I would like to tour you through my hometown and review the history of the last time the world saw a major Pandemic. To paraphrase the Greek God Janus; “The man that looks to the past and the future is blind in one eye, but the man who looks to only the future is blind in both eyes.”
Despite popular belief, we have not seen a major pandemic in living memory. There have been major; yet localized, epidemics; such as SCARS or MERS. Both of which are more deadly than Covid-19. Not to forget, the most deadly epidemic in recent history; ebola, which killed 11,323.
To find the last Pandemic we have to go back to January 1918. When the “Spanish Flu” was first reported by the Spanish army. However; it had been circulating in the European armies for over a year before it was noted and reported in a British Army hospital in 1918. Some say it started in China and then mutated at a US military base in Kansas, where it was eventually spread to the frontline. 
Regardless of how it started; it made its way around the world because at this time the world was in the throes of World War I and we had little knowledge of viruses and the diseases that they caused. Furthermore, the news of Spanish Flu was suppressed by the US, French, British, and German governments as they feared it would impact their troops' morale and show weakness. This information suppression was instrumental in spreading the disease early on. Later in 1918 the soldiers returned home and brought with them a very virulent version of the virus.
Just like Covid-19, the world population had no immunity or tolerance for the virus built up in their system. This is the key difference between the common flu and the Spanish Flu. Even to this day, the common flu kills 650,00 people worldwide. However; this is a known variable. Meaning we can account for what it will do and where it will do it. Whereas with novel-viruses we have no history to go off of and do not know what to expect.
The Spanish flu went on to become the second-largest health-crisis, second only to the bubonic plague of the middle ages. It managed to spread to every continent and infect upwards of 30% of the world population, of 1.8 billion people. Before the flu pandemic was through it had claimed over 50 million lives. This is a solemn reminder of what can happen if a pandemic gets truly out of control.
We now know the Spanish Flu was an outbreak of the H1N1 virus. A breed of virus that is common in birds and pigs; which is why it is often referred to as “bird flu” or “swine flu”. Similar to Covid-19 it jumped from one species to the next from close contact with infected animals within the food chain. Even though the Spanish Flu is an influenza virus and Covid-19 is a Coronavirus they both attack the lungs. Those who have survived the worst cases of Covid-19 are often left with scarring on their lungs and reduced lung capacity.
A report from the Chinese Center for Disease Control (CCDC) found the mortality rate of Covid-19 to be 2.3%. The Spanish Flu killed its hosts at a rate of 2.5%; to give a frame of reference: the common flu kills at a rate of 0.1%. Meaning the Spanish Flu was 25x more lethal and Covid-19 is 23x more lethal than the common flu.
Now, what’s most important is to not panic. We are going to be ok and better than ever. Just because the data is similar to Spanish Flu, this does not mean the outcome will be similar. The differences between 1918 medicine and today are too numerous to count. And epidemiologists have learned a lot from our past. However; it is time for us to focus our attention on the present and write history together. Let’s change how deadly Covid-19 is to the world. It starts with social distancing and better sanitation habits. And no, toilet paper hoarding is not the answer. Thank you to the medical staff, first responders, and social distance superstars. For the most up-to-date information on Covid-19 Please visit the link below:
cdc.gov/coronavirus Stay Safe! Photos from the day:
It is not uncommon to stumble on a Colorado town, ranch or mining settlement while hiking through the area. Especially when you consider that Colorado had 1,500 settlements and today only 600 of these are known and 300 still stand. Of those, only a fraction have been preserved or documented. Most are lost to time, absent from maps, and are returning to nature. But, these structures still offer us historic insights and a glance into the lives of the American Pioneer and the people of the early 20th century.
In this article, I would like to tour you through one such settlement and discuss how the architecture that we found came to be. However; finding these locations requires a certain amount of preparation, navigation, and experience with backwoods hiking. This trip (and journeys like it) are not to be taken lightly as you could lose your bearings quickly in the woods.
With that said; even with proper preparation, you will need to use your senses when you feel that you are generally close to a ghost town. The biggest indicator of a nearby ghost town is debris and rubbish on the ground. As you approach an abandoned area you will begin to see pieces of tin, glass, and wood fragments scattered about. Modern Colorado is very clean and seeing debris of any variety is out of place. This makes it easier to distinguish from modern rubbish and historic debris. Most ghost towns have a designated garbage pile or rubbish area. If you’ve found such a pile you are typically 50-100 yards from a ghost town. However, you will begin to see debris as far away as 1,000 yards from the center of the site.
The site that I explored is a hybrid of two architectural styles that are native to Colorado; “Rustic” and “Pioneer-Log”. Both of these styles are characterized by their use of stones, logs, and the natural materials. They are intended to blend in with the environment around them and because of this can be very difficult to spot. These buildings are often vacant homesteads or hunting lodges. Some are used to this day as tourist-facilities or dude ranches.
The building techniques used emphasized craftsmanship and were typically built by hand. The vast majority of these buildings were constructed between 1900 and 1940. The Rustic style is often categorized by its stone foundations, projecting roofs, battered (sloped) walls, small-paned windows, and stone chimneys. Rustic buildings used more commercially manufactured hardware and materials; for instance, wood paneling, window frames, and interior doors. The roofs often featured “Hip-Roofs” and have space for storage or additional living space
The differences between the Pioneer-Log and Rustic style are subtle but reflect the time in which they were built. Pioneer-Log cabins; as their name implies, were built during the initial U.S. settlement period. They exhibit a quick and crude form of construction. In contrast to the stone chimneys found on the rustic cabin, the Pioneer-Log building used metal flues attached to iron stoves. The roofs were simple structures with soft pitches.
The buildings that we came across are mostly Pioneer-Log style, but the main structure is a mixture of both styles. This is because it uses manufactured wood and has a hip-roof. However, it doesn't have a stone chimney or foundation. This experimentation and hybrid style is likely a contributing factor to the buildings' partial-collapse.
The land was a homestead built in the early 1900s. In the warm months, they used the land to harvest potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables that were shipped by truck or rail to Denver. Throughout the year they raised livestock; such as cattle and bison. In the winter months, most of the ranchers worked for a privately owned ice packing company. This company helped to bridge the wintertime gap in income for many of the area ranchers. The company would cut large blocks of ice from Lake George and ship them to the Pikes' Peak region via the Colorado-Midland Railway.
This region was flush with agricultural work year-round. These ranchers' lifestyle was the petri-dish for mountain-farming and subsistence agriculture in the west. This is especially significant because Colorado wasn’t exactly considered a “Garden of Eden” at that time. Early explorer John C. Fremont wrote:
“The impression of the country traveled over today was one of dry and barren sands” and the next day he said; “The same dreary barrenness, except that a hard, marly clay had replaced the sandy soil…” 
Fremonts’ expeditions/reports combined with a perceived threat of Native American attack gave the nation the perception that Colorado was an untamable, barren wasteland. At this time it was referred to as the “Great American Desert”. This was the true “wild-west”.
Regardless, a group of hearty Colorado Natives was already well-practiced in subsistence agriculture. The Ancestral Puebloans, from the Mesa Verde region, planted crops and used shared irrigation for centuries prior to U.S. settlement. Eventually, Hispanic migrants moved from New Mexico to the San Luis Valley. They transplanted their crops and shared irrigation traditions that are used in the region to this day. 
It was thanks to a man named Alvin Steinel who saw potential in Colorado agriculture. In 1926 he wrote:
“To the practiced eye of the grazier, it was clear that these western grasses differed in character from the varieties to which he had been accustomed in the States...It was a discovery confirmed by later experience that grasses cured by Nature on the ground not only maintained stock in good flesh, but that animals actually increased in weight during the winter”. 
Eventually, the barren landscape and unnavigable rivers that Fremont saw gave way to lush valleys and healthy livestock. The land was being irrigated and water laws were rapidly developed throughout Colorado. Once derelict farmland; such as the one we explored, were some of the earliest settlers to harvest well-watered Colorado land. In fact, it was the loss of water to a nearby ranch that eventually doomed the farm that we explored.
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When people around the globe think of the American highway system, images of motels along Route 66 is often what comes to mind. These motels were typically family-owned and operated. Bringing with them a certain kind of kitsch and charm that made its way deep into the American culture. Increasingly these icons are being abandoned, repurposed, or being demolished. With that in mind, I would like to take a moment to reflect on how these icons of American innovation came to be and eventually fell from favor.
Like all innovation, Motels were created out of necessity. One that began on October 1, 1908, when Henry Ford unleashed his Model-T on the American market. Thanks to his innovation of the assembly line; he was able to offer the Model-T for the shockingly low price of $360. For the first time, the American working class could afford a vehicle and they were hungry to explore their vast country. And this group was growing daily, by 1914 Ford had sold half a million cars. With the advent of Ford’s “Tin Lizzie” car the pace of sales increased. So much so that by 1927 they comprised half of the cars on the road. By this time Mr. Ford had sold over 15 million automobiles.
Now that the automobile was ubiquitous the American people's desire to explore was at an all-time high. However, travelers and adventure seekers were growing restless with the local roadways. Many of these roadways were not yet paved and seldom connected from city-to-city. The roads that did connect were long-established trails that were converted for automobile use. Travelers east of the Mississippi River were fortunate to have colonial-era Inns to stay in while traveling between towns. However, these Inns were few-and-far-between. In the western half of the country, the drivers relied on camping and makeshift shelters to rest in between drives. As the number of people on the road increased the cost of the Inns increased too. So much so that they eventually became too expensive for the average American consumer. To help alleviate this problem the U.S. Department of transportation set up camps across the country. The camps were simple and comprised of army surplus tents.
The road improvements that the U.S. citizens wanted would have to wait. After some of the largest economic growth in history, the U.S. stock market suddenly crashed; in 1929. Ushering in the “great depression”. This period in U.S. History was fraught with economic hardship, desperation, and hunger.
Fortunately, by 1933 America was roaring back from the great depression. But many people were still out of work and the roadways had seen little improvement. The Americans' desire to explore had not gone away, it was merely put on hold until the economy was stable. The Work Progress Administration (WPA) and similar organizations were able to put many people back to work by building the roadways and the electrical infrastructure that millions of Americans crave. 
In 1939, a man named John Steinbeck envisioned a road that crosses the country from Chicago to Los Angeles. He called his design “the road of flight”. Later his vision would become the internationally known “U.S. Highway 66” or “Route-66”. The original name was designed to evoke the realities of the great depression-era immigrants and migrants. These were people who were removed from their land by failing crops, heartless banks, and the storms from “the great dust bowl”. In many cases, the land that was taken from them was land that they (or their family) settled and homesteaded.
This group struggled to find a sense of home as they drifted along the roads. At this time some of the earliest motel concepts were developing in the Western U.S. These were small, simple structures with a door, a bed, and a window. One of the most commonly used designs was “Sears Roebuck chicken-coops” that were repurposed as motel-like cabin structures. The privately-owned cabins were sometimes painted to match a design theme; such as western homestead or bavarian village. This was one of the earliest attempts to bring a sense of home and familiarity along for the road trip. However; the cabins themselves sported little amenities. Often a bucket of water and wood was included with your cabin, but sheets, pillows, and mattresses were only available with an extra fee.
Back in the Eastern U.S., the Colonial-Era Inns were completely full, but an alternative had developed. People began to open up their homes to tourists. These homes would simply place a “Room for Tourists” sign and instantly open a new income stream for their home. Each “tourist-home” was as colorful and unique as its owner. In contrast to today’s hotels, these were commonly found in-town and required searching out to be found. This option gave travelers all of the comforts of home or at least all of the comforts afforded to them by the homeowner.
This practice was so common that a side-industry of printing the signs developed. Buried in attics and deep in antique shops you may still find some of the original cardboard “Rooms for Tourists” signs. While the homes helped to bridge the gap, there were more Americans on the road than there were rooms to rent.
In the 1930s and 1940s the Eastern U.S. concept of Mom and Pop tourist-homes was combined with the cabin concept, developed in the Western U.S. These hybrid properties resembled what we’ve come to know as a motel. At the time they were referred to as “cottage-courts” or “tourist-courts”. Unlike tourist homes or downtown hotels, these were automobile friendly. Many sported carports and filling stations. The cottage court was becoming a classy alternative to damp cabins and smoky campsites. They were designed to catch the eye of the passing and weary travelers. This is where the tradition of silly and gaudy themed Motels came into existence.
Later cafes and restaurants began to appear alongside cottage-courts. These cafes were the innovation hub for American cuisine, bringing to us some of the staples that we cook to this day. In fact, it was at “The Sander Court & Cafe”, where Harland Sanders, created the first batch of fried chicken. As you may be aware, Harland later took the name the “Kentucky Colonel” and founded the KFC company. To me, it’s somewhat ironic that he left the lodging industry to help create the fast-food industry. Both of these were satellite industries made possible as a result of Henry Fords’ invention and the new roadways.
The U.S. Motel industry had its second big recession during World War II. This is because nearly everything needed for a road trip was rationed. All tires, gasoline, and oil went to the war effort. Many of these materials were used to transport troops across the country to be deployed. During this process, soldiers saw areas of the country they wanted to revisit once they had leisure time.
U.S. President, Dwight D. Eisenhower became frustrated with how long it took to transport troops and tanks across the country. He pushed for a Highway system that mimicked the German autobahn. His push succeeded and gave birth to the “Federal Interstate Highway System” (FIHS). This new organization was tasked with constructing four-lane highways that stretched from coast-to-coast. However; this would take half a century to complete and they are still being built on to today. 
Fortunately for the cottage-court owners, they had many years before the interstate highway system would snake through the country and circumvent the highways they relied on; such as Route 66. This time period was the golden age of the American Motel. Post-war American families were ready to explore the country once again!
At this time the name cottage court gave way to “motor-court”. Further verifying and cementing Americas' love of and reliance on the automobile. At this time, motor courts specifically catered to automobile owners and were no longer individual cabins, rather they were multiple rooms under one roof. Each one brought its own breed of neon lights, bright signs, and eye-catching flair. The buildings themselves were plain and functional concrete block structures. However, they sported elaborate facades that reflected the flavor and style of the region that the hotel was in. Periodically the sparkly facades and signs would invoke regional stereotypes and cultural appropriation. But this was done at a time before we had these considerations. 
The name “Motel” was coined in San Luis Obispo, CA at the “Milestone Mo-Tel”. The name stuck to this day and is used to refer to a roadside hotel designed primarily for motorists, arranged in a low building, with parking outside.
As most know, the good times came to an end for the majority of these Motels. By the early 1960s, the F.H.I.S. and the interstate highway system were very advanced and had circumvented most of the state highway systems. Family-owned motels and motor courts were being replaced by large chains; such as Howard Johnsons and Holiday Inn. These Hotel chains were able to build and grow alongside the Interstates. The consistency and cleanliness that these chains offered were unparalleled. And for the first time, travelers could cross the country knowing exactly what to expect from their Hotel chains. 
Holiday Inn blurred the distinction between motels and hotels in a manner that was exciting. Their signs were taller, brighter, and very different from the other flickering neon motel signs. The Holiday Inn sign was designed to be seen from the new interstates. As Holiday Inns popped up everywhere, the signs became understood to mean: “Turn here for a predictable, quality experience”.
This consistency and sameness came at a cost. The unique look and feel of the Mom and Pops Motels had a charm and aesthetic that is mimicked and appreciated in pop culture to this day. Much of the signage that you see in modern-day New York or Las Vegas harkens back to the motels of yesterday. It’s amazing to me, what the invention of the automobile has done. Even more fascinating; it was the innovation of a simple cardboard sign stating “Rooms for Travelers”, that sparked countless more inventions, roadside attractions, foods, and most importantly memories. 
Today most Americans prefer the ease and reliability of the interstate highway system and the numerous Chain Hotels that sit directly off the road. You can still find open and thriving roadside attractions and Motels on state highways. Most often you will find them at the intersection of state highways and interstates. I encourage you to give a Motel a try the next time you find yourself in a position to stay in one. Even if it’s for one night, it's worth it to experience a classic Motel. Especially if you haven't yet had the chance to.
If you have stayed in a vintage motel in the past, please comment below with your experiences and thoughts: American Motel Photos:Music from the video:
Colorado has many one-room and small schoolhouses. While these are no longer used the structures provide a fascinating glimpse into the past. Giving us insights into the lives of the American Pioneers. Many of the ranching and mining communities I cover had schools that no longer exist or were turned into private residences. Little records exist besides the oral traditions and the fact that these buildings were once the hub of many children's lives.
Today I would like to focus on two such examples; however, there are countless other schoolhouses that dot the landscape. But before I dive into the specific locations, I would like to give a little more context into the region of Colorado that they rest in. The area in modern times is Called “Chaffee County”; however, Chaffee was only created when Lake County was divided into multiple jurisdictions. The original Lake county was designated in the area long before Colorado received its statehood. The Lake County Territory stretched from the headwaters of the Arkansas River to the Utah state line. This is significant because many of the schoolhouses were built in the 1860s, this would be about 16 years before Colorado was a state. Just 12 years before this land was a part of Mexico and at the time the schools were built it was primarily inhabited by Native Americans. These are some of the earliest structures built by Westerners and illustrates that pioneers had an emphasis on education.
These schools often were tiny and uncomfortable log cabins or one-room schoolhouses. They were heated by wood or coal stoves. They had little insulation and tended to be drafty in winter. Most of the original wooden schools burnt and were replaced by brick or stone buildings
The teacher was often only one year removed from school. Literally having been a part of the class just one year before. The maintenance of the building all rested on the Teacher. They served as the principal, janitor, lunch lady, and everything in between. The “three R’s”, readin’, ritin’, and rithmetic were the primary focus of the lessons. They had daily oral recitations done in stages (or grades). Spelling bees, math matches, and other games were later introduced to make learning more fun. Many of the students did not go further than 4th grade. However; many pupils desired to learn enough to self teach and become successful members of society.
Gas Creek School
This charming little red brick schoolhouse was built in 1890 and officially formed the “Gas Creek School District”. It was built on land that was donated by the Fehling family on condition that if it was not used as a school within two years, ownership would revert back to the family. However, it operated as the sole school in the district for 49 years. The double entranceway was added in 1909 and was used to segregate boys and girls. The two out-houses in the back of the school were installed by the Work Progress Administration (WPA) project in 1930. The school held classes in the building up until 1942. 
The interior has been modified into a residence. The exterior of the building has changed little and is an iconic example of early 20th-century rural schools. The schoolhouse eventually made its way back to the Fehling family by 1958 and was sold a few more times. During this period it fell into disrepair. Fortunately, In 2019 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This was made possible by a grant from the Colorado State Historical Fund. While we have not seen any restoration, I am anxiously waiting to see what this historical gem looks like after a little polishing!
Maysville School
About 40 miles south of the Gas Creek District is the site of the former Maysville School district. Maysville began with the name of “Crazy Camp.” Why it was named that is not known, but it was changed to Maryville. It was named after a local pioneer “Mary”. However; over the years it was shortened to “Maysville”. And kept this version of the name to this day. Personally, I kind of prefer “Crazy Camp”, but I can see why they may have wanted to change it. Maysville went on to become one of the richest districts in the area. 
Maysville School began in 1870, six years before Colorado became a part of the United States. The bell that beckoned students was originally hung in the Union Sunday School and Congregational Church building. At some point, those buildings were moved to Salida. At that time the bell was hung in the school tower, where it sits to this day.
Maysville was known for offering its teachers slightly better salaries. That said they were given about $6.25 monthly. When you consider that the average laborer was paid $8-9 a month, this was still a low salary. The Maysville teachers had the added benefit of on-site living quarters. Because of this, water was piped into the school building. Which made it one of the few country schools without a well, water bucket, and dipper. However; these amenities were not enough to keep most teachers for more than a year. In-fact only two teachers returned to teach for a second year.
The Maysville school held classes until 1958 when most of the regional schools were closed and consolidated into two large school districts (Salida and Buena Vista). At that time the Maysville school became a bus barn to house the bus used to take students to school in Salida. In 1977 the school was donated to the Sakida Historical Society (SHS). At the time there was some controversy. Some felt the school district should not be giving away this property without having an idea of what it is worth. Glen Everett from the SHS was quoted as saying that he felt “the building was worth more for its historical value than what the district could get for it on sale”. It has since been beautifully restored to its original state. It is now used as a museum for the area.
Learn when you can, visit the Salida Museum Here: http://bit.ly/SalidaMuseum 
As you make your way East on Highway 40 and the town of Kremmling Colorado fades into your rearview mirror, you’ll pass the area known as “Old Park Colorado”. Taking a right onto CO-134 you will begin your ascent through the Gore Pass and make your way deep into Old Park Colorado.
This land was originally used by the Ute Indians, who camped in the valley for more than 1,000 years prior to the arrival of the first white settlers. During the warm months, they migrated from Utah to hunt the Bison in the Gore Pass. Early settlers; fur trappers, observed the Ute bathing in the local springs. But soon after this, they disappeared from the area with no written trace. However; clues to their existence remain evident and are of interest to archaeologists to this day.
In the late 1800’s the western expansion brought wagons loaded with furnishings, household goods, and entire families. The first group of settlers came to the valley to the ranch the rich and fertile grasslands.
Today I would like to look at one such settlement that is now falling into ruin, the Burke Springs Creek Ranch. The homestead and settlement consist of 9 standing structures, fencing, a chicken coop, and numerous empty or burnt plots. According to locals it was once used as a dairy farm; however, like many of the ranches in the area it became too costly to keep dairy cows and they switched to raising beef cattle. 
In 1983 the Burke Springs Creek Ranch was purchased by a young and enthusiastic conservationist who recently moved to Colorado. Over the next 34 years, He and his wife were able to make many improvements to this property and many other properties in the district. However; these improvements mainly revolved around irrigation and water supply. He was quoted as saying “We really have a sustainable form of agriculture in this area with simple irrigation to grow enough hay for the winter to keep the cows fed and enough range to sustain them during the summer.”
This Burke Springs Creek Ranch continued to be privately owned, until in 2006; when 70-acres were donated (under easement) to the Colorado Headwaters Land Trust (CHLT). The land trust performs annual water monitoring and basic land management. The CHLT describes the owners as life long conservationists, who still graze cattle on the land to this day. Which is fitting, when you consider the land has been agricultural land since it was settled and homesteaded in 1897.
The name of the area was recently dubbed “Old Park”. The name comes from when the region was broken up into multiple properties and filings. Basically, it’s a massive sub-development. It houses 371 lots in total and they average around 5 acres apiece. It’s favored by people who enjoy snowmobiling, hiking, fishing, having few neighbors, and all things outdoors.
As you crest gore pass you will dip and dive through, beaver dams, rolling meadows, aspen groves, and eventually make your way to the Rock Creek Stage Stop. This is a must-see drive if you are a fan of the autumn foliage. The stage stop is a well maintained two-story log building. It was once used as a stagecoach route from Yampa to Kremling. Additionally, it was an Inn and served as a polling station. The building is maintained by the Routt County Historic Society. The Rock Creek Stage Stop is free to visit; however, donations are always encouraged.
It’s great to see that the Rock Creek Stage Stop and some of the privately-owned cabins are standing the test of time. If you were to look around throughout the Gore Pass you will see many abandoned ranches and settlements that do not have the same fate. They dot the landscape, tucked between modular homes, and cattle ranches. It’s likely too late for the Burke Springs Creek Ranch to be saved, but I am glad we are able to see it before it completely goes back to nature.
I would like to thank the Volt family, Colorado Headwaters Land Trust, and the Routt County Historic Society for the preservation and conservation efforts that they have undertaken in the community. With that in mind, I would like to kindly encourage you to, please support your local historical society. Photos from the Day:Music from the Video: |
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