Holzwarth Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Holzwarth Historic District
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Grand Lake, Colorado |
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| Area | 72 acres (29 ha) |
| Built | 1905 |
| Added to NRHP | December 2, 1977 |
The Holzwarth Historic District is a special place in Rocky Mountain National Park, near Grand Lake, Colorado. It's a collection of old cabins built by the Holzwarth family. They used these cabins to run a guest ranch, a bit like a hotel for visitors.
The Holzwarth family settled in the Kawuneeche Valley in 1917. This was just two years after Rocky Mountain National Park was created. They officially owned their land by 1923. The guest ranch started in 1919. It welcomed visitors for many years.
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A Family Ranch in the Mountains
The Holzwarth guest ranch was a popular spot. It was known as the Holzwarth Trout Ranch at first. Later, it was called the Never Summer Ranch. The ranch had buildings on both sides of the Colorado River. Today, most buildings on the east side of the river are gone. Only Joe Fleshut's cabin remains there.
From Saloon to Ranch Life
John Holzwarth Sr. used to own a saloon in Denver. A saloon is a type of bar. In 1916, Colorado made a new rule. It became illegal to make or sell alcohol. This time was called Prohibition. Because of this, John Holzwarth Sr. decided to try something new. He moved to Grand River to start a homestead. A homestead is a piece of land given to settlers to farm and live on.
Welcoming Guests to the Ranch
In 1920, the Fall River Road opened. This new road went over the mountains to Estes Park. It made it much easier for people to visit the area. John Holzwarth Sr. saw this as a chance to host guests. So, he started his guest ranch.
Later, John Holzwarth Jr. took over the ranch. He ran it until 1973. In 1974, a group called The Nature Conservancy bought the property. This group works to protect natural areas. In 1975, the land was given to the National Park Service. This meant it became part of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Historic Cabins of the District
The Holzwarth Historic District has several old cabins. Each cabin has its own story.
- Mama Cabin: This was the original home of the Holzwarth family. It was their first homestead cabin.
- Rose Cabin: Another one of the guest cabins.
- Other Buildings: The district also includes other buildings. These were used for ranch services or as more guest cabins.
These rustic cabins show how people lived and worked long ago. They are located right on the Colorado River.
Preserving History: National Register
The Holzwarth Historic District is very important. It helps us remember the history of guest ranches in Colorado. Because of its importance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This happened on December 2, 1977. Being on this list means it's a special place that should be protected.
