National Register of Historic Places listings in Grand County, Colorado facts for kids

Grand County is in the middle of Colorado.

Welcome to Grand County, Colorado! This special place is home to many important historical sites. These sites are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect and celebrate buildings, places, and objects that have played a big part in American history. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for historic spots!

In Grand County, there are 26 places currently on this important list. Three other places were once listed but have since been removed. Let's explore some of these amazing historic treasures!

Cool Historic Places in Grand County

Cozens Ranch House

The Cozens Ranch House is a historic home located near Fraser. It was added to the National Register in 1988. This ranch house tells the story of early settlers in the area. It's a great example of what homes looked like back in the day.

The historic Cozens Ranch House near Fraser.

Denver, Northwestern and Pacific Railway Historic District (Rollins Pass)

The Denver, Northwestern and Pacific Railway Historic District is a long historic area that includes parts of Rollins Pass. This district was added to the list in 1980. It covers the old railroad route that went over Rollins Pass, showing how trains used to travel through the mountains. It even stretches into other counties like Gilpin and Boulder.

A sign marking Rollins Pass, part of the historic railway district.

Dutchtown

Dutchtown is a mining settlement high up in the Neversummer Mountains, near Grand Lake. It was added to the National Register in 1988. This site gives us a peek into the tough lives of miners who searched for valuable minerals in the mountains long ago.

East Inlet Trail

The East Inlet Trail is a beautiful path located in Rocky Mountain National Park. It became a historic listing in 2005. Trails like this are important because they show how people explored and used the natural landscape over time.

Hikers enjoying the East Inlet Trail.

Grand Lake Lodge

The Grand Lake Lodge is a famous lodge near Grand Lake. It was added to the National Register in 1993. This lodge is known for its amazing views and classic mountain architecture. It has welcomed visitors for many years.

The entrance to the beautiful Grand Lake Lodge.

Grand River Ditch

The Grand River Ditch is an impressive engineering project located north of Grand Lake. It was listed in 1976. This ditch was built to move water from one side of the Continental Divide to the other. It's a great example of how people managed water resources in the past.

The Grand River Ditch, an old water management system.

Holzwarth Historic District

The Holzwarth Historic District is found north of Grand Lake on Trail Ridge Road. It was added to the list in 1977. This district includes several historic buildings that show what life was like for early settlers and ranchers in the area.

Castle Cabin in the Holzwarth Historic District.

Kauffman House

The Kauffman House is a historic home in Grand Lake. It was listed in 1974. This house is a well-preserved example of early homes in the town. It helps us understand the history of Grand Lake.

The historic Kauffman House in Grand Lake.

Little Buckaroo Ranch Barn

The Little Buckaroo Ranch Barn is located in Rocky Mountain National Park near Grand Lake. It was added to the National Register in 2009. This barn is a reminder of the ranching history in the area.

The Little Buckaroo Ranch Barn in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Lulu City Site

The Lulu City Site is the remains of an old mining town north of Grand Lake on Trail Ridge Road. It was listed in 1977. Lulu City was once a busy mining community, but now only traces remain, telling a story of boom and bust.

The site of the former mining town, Lulu City.

Milner Pass Road Camp Mess Hall and House

The Milner Pass Road Camp Mess Hall and House is located near Estes Park. It was added to the National Register in 1987. These buildings were part of a camp for workers who built and maintained roads in the mountains.

The Mess Hall and House at Milner Pass Road Camp.

North Inlet Trail

The North Inlet Trail roughly follows North Inlet and Hallett Creek to Flattop Mountain. It was listed in 2008. This trail is another important historic pathway in the Rocky Mountains. It also extends into Larimer County.

Hikers on the scenic North Inlet Trail.

Shadow Mountain Lookout

The Shadow Mountain Lookout is located southeast of Grand Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was added to the National Register in 1978. Lookouts like this were used to spot forest fires and protect the park.

The Shadow Mountain Lookout.

Timber Creek Campground Comfort Stations

Several comfort stations (restroom buildings) at the Timber Creek Campground near Estes Park are listed on the National Register. These include Comfort Station No. 245, No. 246, and No. 247, all listed in 1988. They are examples of early park architecture.

Timber Creek Campground Comfort Station No. 245.

Timber Creek Campground Comfort Station No. 246.

Timber Creek Campground Comfort Station No. 247.

Timber Creek Road Camp Barn

The Timber Creek Road Camp Barn is also near Estes Park. It was listed in 1987. This barn was part of a road construction camp, showing how important these camps were for building infrastructure in the park.

The Timber Creek Road Camp Barn.

Timberline Cabin

The Timberline Cabin was located on Fall River Road near Estes Park. It was listed in 1988 but has since been demolished. Even though it's gone, its listing reminds us of its past importance.

The Timberline Cabin, which has since been demolished.

Tonahutu Creek Trail

The Tonahutu Creek Trail follows Tonahutu Creek to Flattop Mountain near Grand Lake. It was listed in 2008. This trail, like others, is a historic route through the beautiful mountain landscape. It also extends into Larimer County.

A view along the Tonahutu Creek Trail.

Trail Ridge Road

Trail Ridge Road is a famous scenic road in Rocky Mountain National Park, near Grand Lake. It was listed in 1984. This road is known for being the highest continuous paved road in North America. It offers incredible views and is a marvel of engineering. It also extends into Larimer County.

E.C. Yust Homestead

The E.C. Yust Homestead is located south of Kremmling. It was added to the National Register in 1982. A homestead is a piece of land given to settlers to farm and live on. This homestead shows us how early families lived and worked the land in Grand County.

The E.C. Yust Homestead.

Other Current Listings

• Barger Gulch Locality B near Kremmling, listed in 2009.
• Greenwood Lodge near Grand Lake, listed in 2010.
• Kenjockety near Rand, listed in 2011.
• Shadow Mountain Trail near Grand Lake, listed in 2008.
• Smith-Eslick Cottage Court near Grand Lake, listed in 2016.

Lost Historic Spots

Sometimes, places that were once on the National Register of Historic Places are removed. This usually happens if they are destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Here are a couple of places in Grand County that were once listed:

• North Inlet Shelter Cabin: This cabin was located east of Grand Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was listed in 1976 but was removed in 1987 because it was destroyed by an avalanche in 1986.
• Timber Creek Road Camp Storage Building: This building was in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was listed in 1988 but removed in 1992 because it collapsed.