8th Annual Historic Homes Tour

Explore the personal side of Estes Park history at the 8th Annual Historic Homes Tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 25, 2011. Sponsored by the Estes Park Museum Friends and Foundation, the tour takes you through five historic cabins and homes built during Estes Park’s early days.

Westward O

The Olson’s Westward O property commands a breathtaking view of the Estes Valley and Mummy Range. Charles Bourk built the Olson cabins on land once owned by the Earl of Dunraven. The rustic cabins date from the 1920s and are furnished with western artifacts, family collections, and custom old hickory pieces. Each cabin boasts a unique theme.

Vesy/Colrud Cabin

Carl Pilz built the four-bedroom Vesy House in 1930-31, the depths of the Depression. Carpenters hand-hewed the logs and local artisans hand built much of the furniture on site. The property also offers a view of outbuildings that were a staple of summer cabins during early Estes history. The unusual furnishings include Turkish carpets and a dining room table and chairs imported from England. Thanks to experienced cabinet makers, the woodworking is exceptionally fine.

Tyrolerne, The Sweet Home

The Tyrolerne is the oldest cabin on this year’s tour, built 100 years ago by William Ellery Sweet (1869-1942), philanthropist, former Governor of Colorado, founding Member of the YMCA of the Rockies, and longtime summer resident of Estes Park. Dating from 1911-1912, Tyrolerne was built of native rock and wood and designed to resemble a Swiss chalet. In addition to the main house, visitors will tour the study cabin that Governor Sweet built as a personal retreat, removed from children and houseguests.

Estes (Boone) Cabin

Isabell Boone, the wife of the rector of St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Longmont, completed the Estes Cabin in 1939. As originally designed, the 600 square foot log house had two bedrooms and one bath, in addition to a living room, kitchen, and screened in porch. The large stone fireplace in the living room heats the entire house. The foundation is of native stone. Outbuildings on the property include a garage (now used for storing wood), a tool shed, and a privy. Purchased by descendents of Joel and Patsey Estes in the 1970s, the cabin contains Donald Joel Estes’s collections of period photographs, western antiques and Indian artifacts.

Mall House

Built in 1938 on five acres of land atop an outcropping known to old-timers as “High Rocks,” or “Spooning Rocks,” the Mall house became a landmark to all visitors to the Estes Valley. Estes’ physician Dr. Mall purchased the home from the builder, K.C. Ensor and filled the original house’s 14 rooms with a unique collection of expertly mounted taxidermy wildlife (from head to full body mounts) and antiques. The breathtaking lake views were a favorite for plein air artist Dave Stirling. In addition, the property featured a barn, corral and a three-hole golf course.

Tickets Available

Tickets for the 8th Annual Historic Home Tour are $20 in advance or $25 (if available) on the day of the tour. Beginning May 25th, buy tickets at the Estes Park Museum, 200 E. 4th St., the Estes Park Convention and Business Bureau or at Macdonald’s Book Shop in downtown Estes Park. On the day of the tour, tickets are only available at the Estes Park Museum. For more information, call 970-586-6256.

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