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Rocky Mountain National Park through Five Generations!

Design Rocky Mountian National Park was approved by an Act of Congress on January 26,1915. Its boundaries were adjusted by Acts of Congress approved February 14, 1917, June 9, 1926, and June 21, 1930. The Front Range of the Rockies has been the mecca of mountain lovers in our country for many years. Construction of the old Fall River Road began in 1912 and was completed in 1920. Bear Lake Road was completed in 1927. Trail Ridge Road was opened in 1932.

I found all these dates to be interesting in relation to when my grandparents made their early visits to the Park. If my grandfather had made it up to Rocky Mountain National Park on his first trip West in 1931, Trail Ridge Road wouldn't have been open. When he traveled on Trail Ridge Road in 1933, the road had only been opened for one year!

Here is a listing of several hotels that were located in the Park during its early years. The prices listed below are from 1938.

Bear Lake Lodge-cabins and meals Cabins from $15 to $20 weekly. With an American meal plan from $26.50 to $38 weekly
Fern Lake Lodge-cabins, no baths. Same rate as Bear Lake Lodge
Forest Inn at the Pool on Fern Lake Trail - board and lodging(tents) $17.50-$20 weekly Cabins from $20-$25 weekly
Brinwood Hotel at the head of Moraine Park- $22.50 - $42 weekly. Horses at $2.50 for the half day and $4 for the full day.
Sprague's Lodge - rooms from $24-$45 weekly including a full American plan.
Museum at the Top of Trail Ridge Road, Sprague's Lodge, and Deer Ridge Chalet

The pictures above are postcards from my grandmother's scrapbook. The top picture is the museum at the top of Trail Ridge Road. The museum is still there with the addition of a store. The middle picture is of Sprague's Lodge which is no longer there. The bottom picture is of the Deer Ridge Chalet. The Deer Ridge Chalet offered covered wagons to sleep in, Indians and Indian headpieces to dress up in(earlier on there was a picture of my mom and uncle with the headpieces on), a tower, and a restaurant. My grandparents tell me that they had awesome cherry pie there. Deer Ridge Chalet was later moved out of the Park and placed right outide the Fall River entrance to the Park. It became National Park Village North which was there when I was growing up. If you have ever seen National Park Village North you will notice the resemblance between the two. National Park Village North burned down several years ago so it's no longer there.


To find out more about Rocky Mountain National Park visit the following:

A Brief History of Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park HomePage
Estes Park Virtual Visitors Guide
Estes Park Historical Museum
National Park Guide
Bob's Rocky Mountain National Park Page
Mark's Unofficial RMNP Page
Unofficial RMNP Page
Life on the Edge of Rocky Mountain National Park

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