Historic Preservation

The preservation of the homestead was accomplished during three phases of work between 2003-2013.moving the main house

Phase 1: Rehabilitation of the exterior of the Ranch House was completed in August 2007. Before work began, old bee hives in the walls, home to 90,000 bees, were removed. Next, the house was stabilized, raised and moved forward in order to pour a new foundation, then moved back to its original location. In addition, the house was re-roofed with new wood shingles, chimneys, windows, and doors carefully restored, wood siding repaired or replaced and the front porch rebuilt using historic photographs as a reference. The 1890s paint colors on the house were faithfully reproduced and used to re-paint the exterior.

Phase 2: In August 2009, all ten historic out buildings were preserved. Pine and cottonwood logs were used to replace rotted sill and wall logs and wood epoxy was used to repair deteriorating logs that were salvageable. The roofs were repaired or replaced to match the original roofs. The buildings have been stabilized and their lives extended. Students in the Historic Preservation Program at Colorado Mountain College worked on the preservation crew that restored the brick forge in the Blacksmith Shop.

Phase 3: The interior finishes of the Ranch House were preserved and rehabilitated to bring the historic ranching era to life. Wallpaper reproduced from the last layer was installed. Woodwork and interior doors were carefully restored. New wood flooring was installed where needed.

The historic fencing and corrals harken to the early ranching years. Accessible pathways lead visitors through the site. 100-year old willows, apple and lilac trees are pruned and new heritage plantings complete the historic landscape.

In 2013, the site became ready for the public with the construction of a Visitor Center at the west entrance and a parking area for tours and events.