Grand Lake in Grand County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Smith-Eslick Cottage Camp

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2015

1. The Smith-Eslick Cottage Camp Marker

Inscription.

The Smith-Eslick Cottage Camp. . Entrepreneur P.H. Smith brought his family to Grand County from Kansas. In 1893 he started a sawmill in Grand Lake and acquired several local properties. , A skillful craftsman, P.H. Smith built many significant structures, including the Grand Lake Yacht Club, completed in 1912, and the Grand Lake Community House in 1920. These two structures still stand. This was a family business, and P.H.'s children also worked hard to make it a success. His second daughter, Georgia, married an English miner named Alfred Eslick in Idaho Springs, and moved her family, including their first five children, to Grand Lake in 1904. , The Cottage Court was said by the last owner, Grace Eslick, to have been built in 1911 by her future husband Clyde Eslick and father-in-law Alfred Eslick, with the guidance of Clyde's grandfather and successful builder P.H. Smith. Noted Grand Lake historian Patience Cairns Kemp wrote that the Cottage Court was completed in 1915, and it is that date that appears in walking tour publications, Historical Society presentations and on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. , The Bay Window Cottage, now at the back of this property, was built by the last Eslick child, Loren, and was originally located at the corner of Grand Avenue and Vine Street. It was intended as a check-in and store for guests of the Cottage Court and other Smith-Eslick cottages and cabins. Loren completed it in 1933, had a party to celebrate, but sadly died in 1934. Folks in Grand Lake remember Loren's mother, Georgia, sitting in the bay window of the structure, waving at passing children. The Bay Window Cottage will be restored and used as a Welcome Center and Gift Shop, very similar to its original use. , (photo captions) , . P.H. Smith with daughters Genevieve, Mabel and Georgia. , . Clyde and Claude Eslick , . Grand Lake Yacht Club, 1912 , . Grand Lake Community House, 1960 , Grand Lake Area Historical Society . www.grandlakehistory.org , 970-627-9644 . [email protected] .

Entrepreneur P.H. Smith brought his family to Grand County from Kansas. In 1893 he started a sawmill in Grand Lake and acquired several local properties.

A skillful craftsman, P.H. Smith built many significant structures, including the Grand Lake Yacht Club, completed in 1912, and the Grand Lake Community House in 1920. These two structures still stand. This was a family business, and P.H.'s children also worked hard to make it a success. His second daughter, Georgia, married an English miner named Alfred Eslick in Idaho Springs, and moved her family, including their first five children, to Grand Lake in 1904.

The Cottage Court was said by the last owner, Grace Eslick, to have been built in 1911 by her future husband Clyde Eslick and father-in-law Alfred Eslick, with the guidance of Clyde's grandfather and successful builder P.H. Smith. Noted Grand Lake historian Patience Cairns Kemp wrote that the Cottage Court was completed in 1915, and it is that date that appears in walking tour publications, Historical Society presentations and on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties.

The Bay Window Cottage, now at the back of this property, was built by the last Eslick child, Loren, and was originally located at the corner of Grand Avenue and Vine Street. It was intended as a check-in and store for guests

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of the Cottage Court and other Smith-Eslick cottages and cabins. Loren completed it in 1933, had a party to celebrate, but sadly died in 1934. Folks in Grand Lake remember Loren's mother, Georgia, sitting in the bay window of the structure, waving at passing children. The Bay Window Cottage will be restored and used as a Welcome Center and Gift Shop, very similar to its original use.

(photo captions)
• P.H. Smith with daughters Genevieve, Mabel and Georgia.
• Clyde and Claude Eslick
• Grand Lake Yacht Club, 1912
• Grand Lake Community House, 1960

Grand Lake Area Historical Society • www.grandlakehistory.org
970-627-9644 • [email protected]

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 40° 15.082′ N, 105° 49.429′ W. Marker is in Grand Lake, Colorado, in Grand County. Marker is at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Cairns Street, on the left when traveling east on Lake Avenue. Marker is located on the north side of the street, overlooking the Smith-Eslick Cottage Camp grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 725 Lake 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. The Smith Eslick Cottage Court (a few steps from this marker); Why Did They Come?

The Smith-Eslick Cottage Camp Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2015

2. The Smith-Eslick Cottage Camp Marker (wide view)

(a few steps from this marker); The Smith-Eslick Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Automobiles Come to Grand Lake (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bay Window Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Smith Eslick Cottage Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Lake (approx. 0.2 miles away); Public Square (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Lake.

More about this marker. This is a large "poster-style" marker mounted in a five-foot tall, heavy-duty wooden-frame. The right-hand side of the marker lists historical restoration project leaders and supporters.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Smith-Eslick Cottage Camp

Bay Window Cottage (<i>south side; view from near marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2015

3. Bay Window Cottage (south side; view from near marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 190 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 13, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.