Frisco in Summit County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Prestrud/Staley House

Circa 1899

— Town of Frisco —

Prestrud/Staley House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025

1. Prestrud/Staley House Marker

Inscription.
Constructed with pioneer logs and clapboard siding, this building is representational of middle-class mining family homes. The well house on the left side of the building is typical of structures used by families at the time. The outhouse on the right side of the building is part of the original home. Built by Henry Hickman, the house was moved to the park in the 1980's from the northwest corner of Fourth Avenue and Galena Street.

Original Owner: Henry Hickman
Donor: Ronald Offerle

Erected by Town of Frisco, Colorado.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.

Location. 39° 34.489′ N, 106° 6.031′ W. Marker is in Frisco, Colorado, in Summit County. It can be reached from 2nd Avenue just south of East Main Street (Business Interstate 70), on the right when traveling south. The marker and house are in Frisco Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 East Main Street, Frisco CO 80443, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is

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in the Colorado High Rockies and on the Continental Divide.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Trapper's Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Log Chapel (a few steps from this marker); Wood's Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Spring House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bill's Ranch House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bailey House (within shouting distance of this marker); Frank & Annie Ruth House (within shouting distance of this marker); Frisco Jail (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frisco.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Frisco Historic Park & Museum

Also see . . . Prestrud/Staley House (Frisco Historic Park & Museum Virtual Tour).

(By Timothy J. McCall & Rose Gorrell) Excerpt: While most miners staved off poverty by the skin of their teeth, supervisors,
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025

2. Prestrud/Staley House Marker
The marker is mounted on the left side of the front entrance.
foremen, and engineers found more profitable employment. Homes such as the Prestrud-Staley house demonstrate the wide gap in the professional’s salary versus the miner’s slim pickings. Most miners lived in temporary accommodations like boarding houses, of which there were many, or underneath canvas tents in a mining camp. Engineers, like Peter Prestrud, could afford comparatively lavish abodes, featuring multiple rooms, two stories, and a nice coat of paint. These charming vernacular structures were often well furnished with wallpaper, multiple wood stoves, and cozy furniture.
However, Peter Prestrud was not just a mining engineer. Born 1883, in Hamar, Norway, Peter emigrated to the United States, and eventually to Frisco in 1910. During his spare time away from his mine-related duties, Peter and fellow Norwegian Eyvind Flood built a small ski jump near the west end of Frisco at the Excelsior Mine. Peter’s eye for topography made him a forerunner in ski jump design, construction, and jumping. The small jump provided weekend recreation for the two Norwegians and other area locals. Beginning in 1918, Peter and Eyvind built a second ski
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025

3. Prestrud/Staley House Front Porch
jump. Peter had become a well-known ski jump consultant around the state and the area quickly became a hub for US ski jumping competitions. Peter Prestrud was inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame as an athlete, builder and inspiration to many.

(Submitted on November 19, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Prestrud/Staley House (<i>north elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025

4. Prestrud/Staley House (north elevation)

Prestrud/Staley House — Well House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025

5. Prestrud/Staley House — Well House

The well house is on the south side of the house, near the back door.

Prestrud/Staley House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025

6. Prestrud/Staley House

Looking west from 2nd Avenue. The outhouse is in the right background.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 42 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 19, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.