An 1880s Victorian Mansion in the Colorado Rockies: The Estemere Estate at Palmer Lake

by Edwards, Daniel

  A Victorian Mansion in the

  Colorado Rockies:

  The Estemere Estate at Palmer Lake

  Daniel W. Edwards

  Roger W. Ward

  Estamere 1893

  An Architectural and Social History of a

  Unique 19th Century Mansion

  Published by:

  Daniel W. Edwards

  danedwardsdwe@aol.com

  Roger W. Ward

  rogerward5@gmail.com

  www.estemere.com

  Palmer Lake, CO 80133

  ©Copyright 2011

  Revised Edition ©Copyright May 2012

  Printed in the United States of America

  ISBN 978-1466406261—B&W Edition

  ISBN 978-1466423725—Color Edition

  [The Color Edition is titled An 1880s Victorian Mansion…]

  No part of this book (whether mechanically printed or in electronic format) may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without written permission or receiving Branding Rights from the authors.

  Dedication

  To Lady Estemere:

  To her Spirit and

  The Passion

  She inspires in all of her owners

  Past, Present, and Future

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................................... iv

  Disclaimer........................................................................................................................................................................ ix

  Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................................................ ix

  About the Authors ......................................................................................................................................................... ix

  Historical Inconsistencies .............................................................................................................................................. x

  How to Use the (Optional) Companion eBook ......................................................................................................... x

  Where is Palmer Lake and Estemere? ....................................................................................................................... xi

  Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. xiii

  Origin of the Name “Estamere”................................................................................................................................. xiv

  The Rocklands Hotel .................................................................................................................................................. xvi

  Abbreviations Used in Footnotes ............................................................................................................................ xvii

  Chapter 1 Dr. W. Finley Thompson, Founder of Palmer Lake and the Man Who

  Built Estamere (1883-1890) .................................................................................................................. 1

  Dr. William Finley Thompson

  · Thompson at Palmer Lake

  Ada Mary Thompson Becomes the Owner of Estamere

  The Thompsons Leave Palmer Lake

  Chapter 2 Estamere’s Early Residents and Visitors (1883-1898).................................................................. 7

  The Thompson Family and Its Guests at Estamere (1883-1898)

  Joel F. Vaile’s Dispute with Dr. Thompson

  · Dean Henry Martyn Hart

  · Charles B. Kountze

  · Dr. Thomas Gaddes

  · Edward Kipps

  · Dr. Frank Abbott

  · Ira Kellogg Perego

  Estamere in Foreclosure (1891-1898)

  · Edward W. Rollins and the Rollins Investment Company

  · Dr. Malvern Wells Iles

  · Alfred Curtis Cass

  · Judge Henry Clay Caldwell

  · Margaret and George Martin

  E. Chapin Gard Writes Palmer Lake the Gem of the Rockies

  Chapter 3 The Summer House of Emily and Eben Smith (1898-1909) ..................................................... 18

  Eben Smith Buys Estamere

  · Ebenezer (Eben) Smith

  The Smith Family at Estamere

  Smith’s Efforts to Rebuild the Town’s Water System

  Smith’s Impact on Palmer Lake’s Economy

  · Local Residents Who Worked for and Provided Supplies to the Smiths at Estamere (1898-1905)

  · Emily (Emma) Rundel Smith

  Anne McCarroll—1901 Photos of Eben Smith at Estamere

  The Mystery of the Lions

  Eben Smith Mausoleum—Table

  Chapter 4 Cora Carnahan and Smith Family Relatives at Estamere (1910-1926) ................................ 32

  Cora Smith Caranahan Takes Over Estamere

  Estamere as Rental Property

  · Thomas F. Daly

  · William S. Partridge

  Plans for a Sanitarium at Estamere

  Personalities of Estamere (1898-1920)

  · Cora Isabel Smith (Daughter of Emily and Eben Smith)

  · Charles Tingley Carnahan (First Husband of Cora I. Smith)

  · Thomas A. Costello (Second Husband of Cora Smith Carnahan)

  · Harold Smith Carnahan (Son of Cora Smith Carnahan)

  · Doris Leonora Carnahan (Daughter of Cora Smith Carnahan)

  · Emily E. Carnahan (Daughter of Cora Smith Carnahan)

  · Courtland Stark Dines (First Husband of Doris L. Carnahan)

  · Frank Leroy Smith (Son of Eben Smith)

  · Eben Leroy Smith (Son of Frank L. Smith)

  · Melvin Hill Smith (Son of Frank L. Smith)

  · Frank Leonard Smith (Son of Frank L. Smith)

  Other Visitors at Estamere

  · Ralph Bulkley and Daughter Eleanor

  · Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Cary and Daughter Evelyn

  · “General” and Mrs. George Washington Cook and Son George

  · John A. Ewing

  · Judge Stuart D. Walling

  Chapter 5 Professor H.H. Nininger and the Rocky Mountain Summer School (1922-1930)................ 44

  · Professor Harvey Harlow Nininger

  The Beginnings of the Rocky Mountain Summer School

  The RMSS Incorporates and Purchases Estemere

  · Four Summers of The Rocky Mountain Summer School at Estemere

  Personalities of Estemere (associated Through the RMSS)

  · Peter Paul Blass

  · Bartel Edward Ebel

  · Thomas L. Girault

  · Florence Crannell Means

  · Raymond S. Niswanger

  · Sterling M. Price

  · Otto H. Shrull

  · Florence Marshall Stote

  · John Stutzmann

  Chapter 6 Estemere Hosts a Private School, Youth Camps, and Vocational

  Training Programs (1929-1938)................................................................................................................... 60

  The Pikes Peak Woodland School
(1929-1930)

  The Gamma Phi Beta Camps for Girls (1931-1932)

  · The Campers

  · The Staff

  · Support by Gamma Phi Chapters

  · The Camps

  The Graham Family at Estemere (1933-1934)

  The National Youth Administration Vocational Camp (1935)

  El Conejo Blanco (1936-1937)

  The Co-operative Movement and the Farmers Union (1938)

  · Harvey R. Solberg

  Personalities of Estemere (1929-1938)

  · Esther G. and Omer A. Coppock

  · Mary Meigs Atwater

  · Anna Linderfelt Fisher

  · Dr. Robert Harrison Graham and Daughter Roberta

  · Rev. Evalena Macy

  · Charles W. Orr

  · Harvey R. Solberg

  Chapter 7 Families, Tourists, and the Estemere Lodge (1935-1949) ......................................................... 79

  The Adams, Palmers, and Vesseys Buy Estemere

  The Rocky Mountain Association

  Preachers, Paperboys, and Tourists

  Estemere Lodge under Margaret and William C. Blietz (1944-1949)

  Pine Crest Campers and Officials at Estemere (1938-1948)

  Japanese-American Campers at Pine Crest and Estemere

  Personalities of Estemere (1935-1949)

  · Rev. Oliver Martin Adams

  · Margaret and William C. Blietz

  · Rodney David Palmer

  · Clarence Irving Vessey

  · Lucartha “Lucy” and Frank S. Vessey

  Religious and Educational Leaders at Estemere in 1935

  · Bishop Hiram A. Boaz

  · Dr. Larkin B. Bowers

  · Dr. Joseph M.M. Gray

  · Dr. Earl E. Harper

  · Bishop Charles L. Mead

  Japanese-American Youth and Estemere

  · George Hinoki

  · Dr. Joe Kamiya

  · Akira “Sam” Sameshima

  Chapter 8 Estemere Deteriorates Under Multiple Owners (1950-1964) ................................................... 96

  · Helen T. Dees: Texas “Widow” (1950-1956)

  · Leonard M. Bentley: State Politician (1956-1957)

  · The Gotwals at Estemere (1957)

  · Ada S. Knapp: Retired Chicago School Teacher (1957-1958)

  · Leon Snyder, Attorney and Historical Preservationist (1958-1964)

  · Gene Evans and Estemere, Inc. (1960-1962)

  Repairing Estemere

  · Deane Delgado (1962-1964)

  Doris Sharkey Almost Buys Estemere (1964)

  Personalities of Estemere (1950-1964)

  · Leonard M. Bentley

  · Walter F. Clausing

  · Helen Tot Dees

  · Ada S. Knapp

  · Leon H. Snyder

  Chapter 9 A Vacation Home for the Leonard Family (1964-1986) ........................................................ 107

  Joan and Donald Leonard Buy Estemere

  Duane Hanson’s 1977 Photos

  Don Leonard and Mid-America Investment Co.

  Plans for a Victorian Village at Estemere

  · Hi-Co, Mid America, and Don Leonard

  The Follmers at Estemere

  Personalities of Estemere (1964-1986)

  · Donald Eugene Leonard

  An Interview with Jody and Virgil Watkins

  The Flood of 1965

  Chapter 10 Jim Peterson: an Absentee Owner (1987-1998) ..................................................................... 116

  Jim Peterson Buys Estemere

  Dan Fraley: Estemere’s Caretaker (1991-1998)

  Henson’s Plans for a Bed and Breakfast at Estemere

  Fraley Markets Estemere

  Peterson Sells to the Wards

  Chapter 11 The Evolution of Estemere’s Structures (1883-2011) ........................................................... 122

  Thompson Builds “Estamere I” circa 1883

  Thompson Builds “Estamere II” circa 1887

  · The Main Floor

  · The Second Floor

  · The Third Floor

  “Estamere III” circa 1887-1888—A Queen Anne Victorian [Designed by Frederick Sterner?]

  · The Main Floor

  · The Second Floor

  · The Third Floor

  Furnishings of Estamere III

  The Grounds of Estamere III

  Smith’s Work on Estamere III and Its Grounds

  · Lighting

  · Eben Smith’s Furnishings

  Changes to Estemere circa the RMSS Era

  Estemere’s Changes during Blietz’s Years

  Estemere during the 1940s

  Dees’ Era

  Leon Snyder Hires Deane Delgado (1962-1964)

  The Leonard’s Era

  Chapter 12 Kim and Roger Ward Purchase and Restore Estemere (Exterior) (1998-2011)............... 150

  Kim and Roger Ward Purchase Estemere

  Estemere Then and Now

  Restoring Estemere as the “Crown Jewel” of Palmer Lake

  · The Grounds

  · The Rock Wall

  · The Shed

  · The Conservatory

  · The Carriage House

  · The Roof

  · The Master Bathroom

  · Pavestone®

  · The Cherubs

  · The Lion’s Rest

  · The Gazebo

  Kim and Roger Ward

  Chapter 13 Interior Restoration (1998-2011)................................................................................................ 167

  The Interior Restoration of Estemere

  · Heating and Insulation

  · The Old Basement

  · Wallpaper

  · Electrical Wiring

  · The Floors

  · Light Fixtures

  · The Conservatory

  · The Fireplaces

  The Main Floor

  · The Entry

  · The Sitting Room

  · The Parlor

  · The Dining Room

  · The Television Room

  · The Radio Room

  · The Guest Bathroom

  · The Kitchen

  · The Butler’s Pantry

  · The Music Room

  · The Billiard Room

  · The “Smoking Room”

  · The Office

  · The Master Bedroom—1900

  · The Master Bathroom

  The Second Floor

  · The Original Master Bedroom

  · Bedrooms #1-4

  · The Second Floor Bathroom

  The Third Floor

  · The Third Floor Sitting Room

  · The Observatory

  The Widow’s Walk

  The Tower

  The Two-Car Garage Loft

  The Cottage

  Special Thanks

  Chapter 14 Visitors from the Past and Open Houses................................................................................... 198

  Eben Smith Era

  · Julia Moore Mynett

  · Ashton Rollins II

  RMSS Era

  · Clara Richter Euhus

  · Nininger’s Daughters

  · Charlene Clark McCall

  Estemere Lodge Era

  · Winnie Metzler and Bernice Vessey Brenner

  · John Kelley and Family

  · Reverend Mason Brown

  · The Blietz Children

  Estemere Deteriorates Era

  · Dan Dees

  · Niki, Marc, and Aisha Delgado

  Public Tours of Estemere

  Halloween

  Chapter 15 Estemere for Sale (2008-2011)................................................................................................... 206

  Dan Edwards Interviews Roger Ward

  Edge Realty

  The New Owners

  The Personalities of Estemere (1998-2011)

  Appendix I: T
he “Value” of Estemere............................................................................................................. 209

  APPENDIX II: Legal Documents Relating to Estamere.................................................................................. 211

  Appendix III: William Finley Thompson Chronology................................................................................. 213

  APPENDIX IV: Approximate Chronological History of Estemere............................................................... 216

  APPENDIX V: Estemere Water Payments to the Town of Palmer Lake....................................................... 218

  APPENDIX VI: When did Palmer Lake First Get Electricity?...................................................................... 219

  Disclaimer

  The material contained in this book (the term “book” is hereafter used to refer to this document whether in physically printed form or in electronic form) is based on documents, newspaper articles, interviews, first-hand knowledge of the authors, and other sources. It is provided as an educational project 1) as a contribution to the history of Palmer Lake and an account of the people who have lived in and visited the town; 2) to study the social and architectural history of a Victorian mansion; and 3) to archive documents, videos, and photos relating specifically to the history of Estemere, while the original source material still exists and while some of the early participants still are living.

  The newspaper articles and some of the books, pamphlets, and brochures from which information was obtained for this work may be copyrighted and/or trademarked by their respective publishers.

  The authors specifically disclaim liability that may be incurred from the use of this book.

  Acknowledgements

  All photos and illustrations come from the private collections of Dan Edwards and Roger Ward, unless otherwise noted in a footnote. Many of these items were donated by past visitors or residents of Estemere (Mary Jane Adams, the Blietzs, etc.). We wish to acknowledge the tremendous assistance given to us by many sources, including (but of course not limited to) the Palmer Lake Historical Society and Museum—and in particular to Rogers Davis for his time and energy in helping us find some of the resource material used in this book, Duane Hanson for the interior photographs of Estemere in 1977, Anne McCarroll for the 1901 photos of Eben Smith, Clara Ricter Euhus for the 1929 RMSS annual, Mary Jane Adams for the 1935 home movie, the Mead family for the Graham photos, and David Forsyth for material on Eben Smith.