Bear Lake Lodge

Text on the back:2249—COCKTAIL LOUNGE AT LOWER LODGE BEAR LAKE LODGE IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, ESTES PARK, COLORADO

Publisher:
"C.T. Art-Colortone" Sanborne Souvenir Co., Denver, Colo.

Postcard Type: Linen

Notes:

On January 16, 1915, A.E. Brown obtained a one-year permit from the Forest Service to establish a summer resort on two acres at Bear Lake. The National Park being created just ten days later, the permit was renewed by the Park Service the following year, with the addition of permission to establishing a livery. Construction of the buildings took place in 1916. Two years later, an Upper Bear Lake Lodge was built.

The lower lodge, shown here, was constructed next to a primitive parking lot and consisted of two levels with a gift shop. Offices were on the first floor and a large open room was on the second, used for dances and recreational events.

The upper lodge, described as a "single floor log edifice with a large round fireplace centered in the middle" was remodeled in 1924 to house Mr. Cheley's Bear Lake Trail School for Boys.

The lease on the lodge expired on December 13, 1958. The upper lodge was moved to the Blue Arrow Campground in Estes Park with the rest of the structures demolished in 1959.

EstesPostcards.com © 2007 Tony J. Wedick
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and are presented here for historical purposes only.