Grand Lake in Grand County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Public Square
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2015
1. Public Square Marker
When the town of Grand Lake was platted in 1881, Grand Avenue was designed to be 100 feet wide. Although traffic congestion was not a problem, extra space was allowed for rodeos and horse races.
The Public Square was often used for community fish fries, and once a bear was roasted here. Buffalo Barbecue, held annually in mid-summer, has continued the spirit of community participation since the 1940s.
Community House was built in 1922 with donated money and labor. It has been used for public functions, minstrel shows, holiday celebrations, social affairs, club meetings, a motion picture theater and stage productions. It continues to be used as our town hall, theater and community center.
The building across Pitkin Street to the east was the County Courthouse and Jail for Grand County from 1881-1888. The County Seat returned to Hot Sulphur Springs in the fall of 1888. The courthouse building has since been used as a saloon, restaurant, market, icehouse and motel.
Partial funding provided by a State Historic Fund grant from the Colorado Historical Society
Erected by Grand Lake Area Historical Society & Colorado Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
this page online
Location. 40° 15.1′ N, 105° 49.127′ W. Marker is in Grand Lake, Colorado, in Grand County. Marker is on Grand Avenue east of Garfield Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, overlooking Grand Lake Town Square Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1025 Grand Avenue, Grand Lake CO 80447, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cairns-Humphrey Store (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kauffman House Museum (about 400 feet away); Grand Lake (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Grand Lake (about 500 feet away); Rapids Lodge Historic Site (about 800 feet away); Smith Eslick Cottage Camp (approx. ¼ mile away); Automobiles Come to Grand Lake (approx. ¼ mile away); The Smith-Eslick Family (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Lake.
More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted horizontally on a waist-high post.
Also see . . . Grand Lake Walking Tour.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2015
2. Public Square Marker (wide view; Grand Lake Town Hall in background)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2012
3. Grand Avenue (looking east past Town Square Park on left; broad street for such a small town)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 214 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 11, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
