Some of you know that I love history, and that we have in the last two years, moved to a new town....and recently into a new home. I enjoy walking around this neighborhood. It is very diverse, with a lot of small homes built in the 1920's and 30's, and some huge mansions, built at the turn of the 20th century (not to mention new ones going up all the time). There are even a few from the nineteenth century.
I was intrigued when I saw the remains of an old entrance gate.
and even more interested, when I saw that the whole area was fenced off by this beautiful old stone fence. Was it old? What use to be here? Probably a huge old mansion?
So, why was what looked like an old fountain to water your horses, sitting out in the middle of a circle.? I asked the few people, that I know in the neighborhood, and they didn't have a clue.So, I was determined to find out.
OMG! How could they live here, and not know that this sat on that very spot!!! Advertised as the finest hotel in the southwest.This fabulous resort that sat just five miles from downtown... had it's own trolley you could ride into town..and another to ride down the hill to the private lake less than one half mile away.
The hotel, trolley, lake and two power plants were all funded by one man. A real estate investor from Denver, Co. He bought up a lot of land in this area,,,hoping to sell home sites. The lots didn't sell like he had hoped, and his beloved Inn was destroyed by fire, a short four years after it was built. People who had bought property in the area were disappointed with their investments.. One guy sold his lot for a typewriter and another for a set of tires. Also, a sad ending to the guy who had this vision. He was hit (and killed), while riding a bicycle in London one foggy morning.So, what happened in the years between the hotel and fabulously popular lake with it's two story ballrooms, fishing pier and roller coaster, and homes being built in the 1920's ? Well, most of the area was donated for a World War I army camp training center.
Oh I did find the little lake.It's now a city park........sitting across a six lane freeway from where the glamorous resort was....
*I am still guessing that the fence was part of the resort.....but it did lead me to the discovery of the old inn and what I think is some interesting history....Janey
Linking to :
Good Fences
I love that ston fence and what a find about what used to be there. when i post about things like this in our city, people who were born and raised here say, I have never seen that, where is it or i did not know that.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting history behind your stone wall images.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating story and I am glad you found out about it That is a great stone wall for today's meme
ReplyDeleteAmazing story, I am glad you found the history of this place. It looked like a grand place in its day.. Great post and photos.. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that your curiosity led to such great information!
ReplyDeleteFine fence wall you found :)
ReplyDeleteAnd what a story behind it!
Great research :))
Have a fine day
【ツ】Knipsa
I agree. How could anyone living there not know this story? Fascinating details, Janey. Good for you discovering what you did. When you run into folks when you're out walking, you can say "...you can read about it on my blog" (not out of self promotion) to have a place to share this interesting story.
ReplyDeletei LOVE the stone wall!!!! and what a neat bit of history you uncovered! gee, talk about a great vision that fell apart!
ReplyDeleteGlad you dug a little deeper to get the answers. amazing!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love it. I am going to come visit you and we can look for history together. (When it gets warmer)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great looking stone wall. It's amazing what you found out about the area. What a grand place that must have been in it's day. So sad about it buring down and what happened to the former owner. I'm glad you found out about it's history and also found the lake.
ReplyDeleteYou are a real Sherlock Holmes, what a pity the whole resort has gone and nothing has left of the grandeur of that time.
ReplyDeleteFascinating post! What a wonderful find! I am always amazed at how little people sometimes know about their own area. It's a shame the resort and its owner had such tragic ends!
ReplyDeleteHow neat! Love the gate and fence!
ReplyDelete