Photo of the original Elkhorn Lodge by Ken Jessen.
In the early 1870s, William James moved from New York to Colorado with his wife, Ella, and their three sons — Homer, Charles and Howard. (Baby Ella came along later.) William settled into cattle ranching and in 1874 built a small hunting lodge in order to take advantage of the hunters and sightseers who traveled up his way. Buildings were added over time including Estes Park’s first school, a ranch house, a coach house that over time was both a stage stop and casino, several cabins, a horse barn, dormitories, and a small chapel. The property is also the site of one of Colorado’s first golf courses.
As the oldest, continuously operating hotel in the state of Colorado, it was added to both the National and State Registers of Historic Places in 1978. But without a local preservation ordinance in Estes Park, the property is not protected against the possibility of demolition. In 2010 it was added to the Colorado Endangered Places list as development pressures, coupled with the fact that the property was on the market, brought home the reality that a developer could potentially raze the historic buildings.
In 2014, the Elkhorn Lodge received a State Historical Fund grant of $10,000 for the emergency stabilization of barns on the property. But the lodge remains on the market and its fate hangs in the balance.
Photo of the chapel at Elkhorn Lodge by Historic Larimer County member Ken Jessen.
Photo of the first schoolhouse in Estes Park by Historic Larimer County member Ken Jessen.
This article first appeared in the Historic Larimer County newsletter that was sent out on July 16, 2018.
Just visited The Elkhorn on Friday, June 26th. Not clear on why Estes Park is not helping to preserve this important piece of their history. As important as Stanley and it was saved and restored.
What is your source that public funds were used to “save & restore” The Stanley? I was unaware!
In the second paragraph of this ColoradoPreservation.org website, they mention the State Historical Fund grant that the Elkhorn Lodge received around 2013 to save the barn after flooding occurred. http://coloradopreservation.org/programs/endangered-places/endangered-places-archives/elkhorn-lodge/
This is a beautiful landmark in the Estes Park area and without doubt must be protected from land developers.
We must save historical buildings and property.
I am writing an article about the Elk Horn Lodge in my town of Estes Park. Would you like to receive my article Sheri? Lars Mortensen
I wish so desperately that I could own and operate this magnificent place. It is my favorite place on earth!!
I am writing an article about the Elk Horn Lodge in my town of Estes Park. Would you like to receive my article Kristina? Lars Mortensen
I pray that this historic lodge is not torn down. It is the old places that remind all of us of the past.
I am writing an article about the Elk Horn Lodge in my town of Estes Park. Would you like to receive my article Janet? Lars Ole Mortensen
I think the government needs to pay more attention to historical buildings and protect such structures from greedy developers at all costs. Many years will pass and it will be a real rarity!
My father was manager of the lodge and guest homes in the 30’s and 40’s. I was born in 1937. We lived in an apartment on the right side is the first picture shown. I was on a trip with my daughter in 2023. Our home had been torn down and an apartment complex had replaced it. We lived there until 1941 when my father took a job in Roswell, NM. I have many wonderful memories of living there even though I was only 4 when we left. The place was magical and I have more memories there than I do of the rest of my life. I have still have pictures from that time. My fathers name was Carl Rohr. He became the adjutant at NMMI in Roswell, NM. If I could win the lottery I’d try to help restore it! I’m 87 now so there isn’t much chance of that
Thanks for these wonderful memories!!!
We made a deal to purchase it and convert it to CHRISTIAN YOUTH FACILITY BUT THE OVNER RENIGGED JERRY WAS A BLESSING BIT OTHERS NOT SO MUCH AMEN ITS THE GRANDEST LODGE IN THE WEST IT WILL NEVER EVER PERISH