Ponderosa Lodge facts for kids
|
Ponderosa Lodge
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 6145 Shoup, La Foret, Colorado |
|---|---|
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Jules Jacques Benois Benedict |
| Architectural style | Colorado Alpine, Rustic |
| NRHP reference No. | 08000829 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | 2008 |
Imagine a cool old building nestled in the trees! That's Ponderosa Lodge, a historic place in Black Forest, Colorado. It's so special that it's listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. This means it's officially recognized as an important part of history! Ponderosa Lodge is part of the La Foret Conference and Retreat Center.
Contents
History of Ponderosa Lodge
Building a Mountain Retreat
Ponderosa Lodge was built in 1928. It was designed to be a summer home for a kind woman named Alice Bemis Taylor. She was a very important person in Colorado Springs.
The lodge was designed by a famous architect named Jules Jacques Benoit Benedict. He was known for creating beautiful mountain homes. He used natural materials, like strong ponderosa pine wood. This wood came from the western side of Pikes Peak. The lodge shows off amazing craftsmanship, meaning it was built with great skill and care.
Special Design Features
One of Benedict's special touches is the grand staircase in the main hall. It's a really impressive stairway! He also designed a fancy fireplace with custom iron work. Ponderosa Lodge is one of many buildings designed by Benedict that are recognized for their historical importance in Colorado.
La Foret Conference and Retreat Center
A Place for History and Nature
Ponderosa Lodge is one of two historic buildings at the La Foret Conference and Retreat Center. The other historic building is the Taylor Memorial Chapel, which is also on the National Register of Historic Places. The center covers about 400 acres. It has beautiful meadows and lots of tall ponderosa pine trees.
From Estate to Retreat
La Foret started as a huge summer estate belonging to Alice Bemis Taylor. She was a generous person who helped many people and organizations. She even invited artists to stay at her estate, which she called La Foret.
The Taylor Memorial Chapel was built in 1929, just one year after the lodge. It was built to honor her husband, Frederick Morgan Pike Taylor. After Alice Taylor passed away in 1942, her foundation gave the property to the Colorado Congregational Church.
Today, the center welcomes members of the United Church of Christ and other groups. La Foret now has many cabins, a dining hall, sports fields, and even an outdoor theater. It's a great place for people to gather and enjoy nature.
Black Forest Fire and Community Spirit
Surviving the Fire
In June 2013, a big wildfire called the Black Forest fire happened in the area. Luckily, Ponderosa Lodge and other buildings at La Foret Conference and Retreat Center were saved! This was partly because of special efforts to protect the buildings from fire.
Helping the Community Recover
After the fire, the retreat center started an organization called "Black Forest Strong." This group helped the community recover from the fire. They offered many kinds of support, including:
- Helping people deal with their feelings after the fire.
- Being a place where people could find resources and information.
- Giving aid to people who were affected by the fire.
- Organizing events to bring the community together.
The plan also included efforts to save and replant trees, and to teach people how to protect their homes from future fires.
