Historical Site Tours

The Red Feather Historical Society plans regular tours and events during the summer months. Visit our Newsletters page for past issues.

Click here for a timeline of tours since 1998.

Previous tours include:

2017: 

2016:

2015:

  • Maxwell Ranch & CCC Camp Tour & History (July 2015): Fascinating tour took participants to the Maxwell Ranch and CCC Camp Site at Red Feather Lakes.
  • Cavalryman Steakhouse Tour (August 2015): Located on the parade grounds of historic Fort Sanders, established in July of 1866. The Cavalryman Steakhouse building was built in 1925 to serve as the clubhouse for the local country club.
  • Two Bars Seven Guest Ranch Tour (August 2015): Participants stepped back in time to visit this incredibly scenic 3,000-acre historic working ranch that sits adjacent to National Forest land that includes a wide expanse on the border regions of both Wyoming and Colorado. The ranch was established during the days of the territorial government before Wyoming was a state. It has been in the family for four generations and a dude ranch for 10.

2014:

  • Heart Rock Tour (July 2014): The Red Feather Historical Society led a group of hikers to the striking rock formation known as “Heart Rock” in Red Feather Lakes.
  • Laramie River Ranch Tour (July 2014): A rainy but educational day highlighted the Laramie River Dude Ranch and the historic site of Glendevey, CO.
  • Poudre Canyon Historical Tour (August 2014):  Sandra Case Lundt guided the tour which began at Red Gate Lodge, and then toured Rustic Resort, “Norman Fry country”, Pinehurst, Fairkytes, Eggers School, Arrowhead Lodge, and the historic site of the Zimmerman’s Keystone Hotel. The tour ended at the Kinikinik Ranch.

2013:

2012:

  • Dendrochronology & Culturally Modified Tree Talk & Tour (July 2012): The Historical Society learned about dendrochronology and viewed culturally modified trees, led by Marcy Reiser, Archaeologist with Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests. The Forest Service has dated a number of culturally modified trees (CMTs)—both historic and protohistoric—in the area, The CMTs in this area date between 1635 and 1874.
  • Dendrochronology & Culturally Modified Tree Talk & Tour (July 2012): The Historical Society learned about dendrochronology and viewed culturally modified trees, led by Marcy Reiser, Archaeologist with Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests. The Forest Service has dated a number of culturally modified trees (CMTs)—both historic and protohistoric—in the area, The CMTs in this area date between 1635 and 1874.
  • Lady Moon Ranch & Dendroarchaeology Identification Tours (July 2012): Attendees at this event, held at Lady Moon Ranch, toured the barn built in 1886 by Frank Gartman, first husband of Catherine Gratten Lawder (Lady Moon). Attendees also viewed family treasures and artifacts of the Sloan, Swan, Roberts and Gilpin-Brown families. The tour also included driving to the old Lady Moon Trailhead and walking (approx. .9 miles) to view a number of culturally modified trees (CMTs)—both historic and protohistoric—in the area, and viewing historic ruins.
  • Overland Trail Tour (September 2012): This tour was led by Wayne Sundberg and started with a 2-mile round-trip hike to Signature Rock on the Roberts Ranch, and then onto the Roberts Ranch and Buffalo jump,  followed by the Virginia Dale site, and ended at the Ten-Mile/Stonewall/Cherokee Station site.

2011:

  • Manhattan Tour (June 15, 2011)
  • American Camp Tour (July 2011): American Camp was an area that produced railroad ties for the Union Pacific Railroad. It operated year round and they depended upon the road to Wyoming and one closely following the current Cherokee Park and Sand Creek roads for their access.
  • Deadman Fire Lookout Tower Tour (July 2011): The Tower was built in 1938 for the purpose of locating forest fires, it was replaced by a new tower in 1963, and now it now longer serves its original purpose since the process of fire spotting is automated.
  • Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum (July 2011): The Historical Society visited the Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum in Berthoud, CO for the “History Comes to Life in Berthoud” program.
  • Old Roach Logging Camp and Stuck Creek Splash Dam Tour (August 2011): This tour was through the US Forest Service by Nicole Branton, PhD, Forest Service Archaeologist.

2008:

  • CCC Camp Tour (July 2008): The site of a former CCC Camp located on present day Indian Prayer Ranch. The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program for unemployed men, focused on natural resource conservation from 1933 to 1942. Other CCC Camps in the area were Manhattan after mining ceased, and near Sand Creek.
  • Fox Acres Tour (July 2008): A private gated residential community and destination resort in the Red Feather Lakes area. It once a commercial fox raising enterprise. Tour was led by John Stenzel.
  • Parvin Lake Tour (July 2008): A Division of Wildlife research station at Lake Parvin, and fishing is allowed on the lake. Parvin Lake information is available at the Public Lands Information Center.

2007:

  • Trails End Tour (June 2007): Trails End is where 80C, Cherokee Park Road, meets the North Poudre and Trails Creek. Frank and Peggy Miller made the ranch  famous as a showplace with a zoo of wild animals, wild birds, and pet fish.  For many years it was one of the best known tourist attractions in the Rockies.

For questions about past RFHS site tours, please contact info@redfeatherhistoricalsociety.org.