Vacationers driving wagons and Model T Ford's rumbled up this road in the 1920s to spend a week or more at Sophie and John Holzswarth's Trout Lodge. After each day's fishing, guests strolled to the "Mama" Cabin-the largest building to the left where . . . — — Map (db m162341) HM
One of the Kawuneeche Valley's first dude ranches once thrived here. In 1917, German immigrants Sophia and John G. Holzwarth built their homestead here, after wartime prohibition closed their saloon in Denver. Originally ranchers, they began hosting . . . — — Map (db m162343) HM
On Vine Street north of Lake Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
Automobiles Come to Grand Lake (panel 1)
The number of automobiles had become so large that in 1913 the State of Colorado began issuing its first license plates. The 1915 dedication of Rocky Mountain National Park drew 2000 people, . . . — — Map (db m129881) HM
On Grand Avenue east of Pitkin Street, on the right when traveling east.
In 1881 James Cairns built his first store here to serve the miners. In 1908 he replaced it with a better building, purchased by Matilda Humphrey in 1924. It survives as the central part of the Humphrey store. The small residence was Cairns interim . . . — — Map (db m129850) HM
Near Lake Avenue, 0.1 miles west of Hancock Street, on the right when traveling west.
Grand Lake was formed by glacial action, the ice gouged back into the mountains to the east. As the climate warmed, the glacier melted irregularly, leaving ridges of clay and rocks called moraines. Moraines edge the west and north shore, and are . . . — — Map (db m129855) HM
On Lake Avenue at Garfield Street, on the left when traveling west on Lake Avenue.
The largest natural lake in Colorado Formed by glaciation 30,000 years ago Long known as the headwaters of the Colorado River. It is included in the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. Water from here flows through the “Adams Tunnel” to Estes . . . — — Map (db m129892) HM
Near Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34) 0.2 miles east of Western Road (County Highway 49), on the right when traveling east.
Grand Lake Lodge Built 1919
has been placed on the National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior
— — Map (db m129878) HM
On Lake Avenue, 0.1 miles west of Hancock Street, on the right when traveling west.
Ezra Kauffman first came to the area as a hunting guide and miner in 1877. After the mines closed, he raised his family in the community he loved. He completed this hotel in 1892 and operated it until his death in 1920. The Kauffman family . . . — — Map (db m129856) HM
The Kawuneeche Valley is prime moose habitat. Wetlands along the Colorado River support aquatic plants, willows, and Aspen that moose eat. Moose frequented here, then were hunted out of the area by the early 1900s. In the late 1970s, the Colorado . . . — — Map (db m164288) HM
On Grand Avenue east of Garfield Street, on the left when traveling east.
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 . . . — — Map (db m129840) HM
On Hancock Street north of Park Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Rapids Lodge is one of three tourist hotels built between 1900 and 1920. The other two burned. Laps Ish, the owner and builder, sawed all lumber of lodgepole pine. Until about 1935 the lights and some heat for the hotel came from his own water . . . — — Map (db m129852) HM
On Vine Street north of Lake Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
In 1882 P.H. Smith settled in Grand Lake. He built a hotel and also operated a sawmill, carpentry shop, and a large resort. Around 1915, along with the Alfred Eslick family, he built this Motor Court, designed to accommodate both visitors and their . . . — — Map (db m129857) HM
Near Vine Street north of Lake Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
The Smith Eslick Bay Window Cottage was built by the Eslick's youngest child, Loren, in 1933 when he was 26 years old. It was intended to be a check-in and store for the guests staying at the Cottage Court and other Smith and Eslick family cabins . . . — — Map (db m129884) HM
The Rapid Growth
The second largest wildfire in Colorado history, the East Troublesome Fire, was first reported on October 14, 2020. Originating northeast of Kremmling, it continued to burn eastward for about two weeks. The peak spread . . . — — Map (db m242392) HM
On Vine Street north of Lake Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
The Smith Eslick Cottage Court (panel 1)The Smith-Eslick Cottage Court is believed to be the oldest original-condition motel in the United States. Built at about the same time as the 1915 opening of Rocky Mountain National Park and the . . . — — Map (db m129879) HM
On Lake Avenue at Cairns Street, on the left when traveling east on Lake Avenue.
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 . . . — — Map (db m129883) HM
On Vine Street north of Lake Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
The Smith Eslick Family (panel 1)
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 . . . — — Map (db m129880) HM
On Vine Street north of Lake Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
It's said that Grand Lake has always had tourists. Even the original visitors, the Ute and Arapaho for example, would come in the summer to hunt and fish in the largest natural lake in Colorado, but would leave when winter approached. Then, as now, . . . — — Map (db m129882) HM
On East Byers Avenue at 1st Street, on the right when traveling east on East Byers Avenue.
The schoolhouse was built east of
Cottonwood Pass in 1920. After it was
discontinued as a school in 1942, the
building was occupied by lettuce growers
and later moved to a nearby ranch and used
for grain storage. It was moved to this . . . — — Map (db m246955) HM
Near Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34) at Ditch Road, on the right when traveling south.
This miner's cabin is one of the oldest buildings left standing in the Kawuneeche Valley. In 1902, Joseph Fleshuts homesteaded 160 acres here with the intent to live on the land for at least five years. Life must have been hard. In 1911 he abruptly . . . — — Map (db m89117) HM
Near U.S. 40 at milepost 240,, 5.8 miles west of Henderson Mine Road, on the right when traveling west.
Berthoud Pass Across the Continental Divide between South Platte and Colorado River drainages
Altitude 11,314 Feet
Discovered by Capt. E.L. Berthoud Colorado pioneer May 12, 1861. Surveyed by Berthoud and Jim Bridger July, 1861. Toll Road . . . — — Map (db m129889) HM