The Overlook has a rich and fascinating history. It was one of the original homesteads in Estes Park. It was originally purchased in 1911. However, it was titled in 1936 along with lots of other homes. Perhaps the town finally found someone to record local properties? The town wasn't incorporated until 1917. The Overlook home was the original home for the homestead. However, there were several additional buildings built in and around the home. Estes Park has an interesting history and the Overlook was impacted by the trends and direction of the town. In the early 1900s there were only a few homes in the area. Most of these homes were summer cabins. As more people discovered the natural beauty of the area, they started visiting. A few made permanent homes in the area. The Overlook is one of these homes. Initially, the settlers tried to establish farms and ranches. The Overlook was one of these farms. The surrounding buildings included a hen house, ranch hand cabin and dairy barn. These buildings are still here but have been converted into vacation homes and rentals. Eventually, the initial settlers found farming to be too difficult. However, during this time they also welcomed summer visitors to stay with them in their homes and enjoy the surrounding natural wonders. Eventually most settlers found money from these visitors more attractive than trying to farm at 7,500 feet.
Originally, the Overlook and surrounding buildings were called Valley View. As farming dwindled, and summer rentals increased, the surrounding buildings were turned into summer cabins. This collection of buildings was eventually called Valley View Chalets. In 1924, the President of Wooster College in Ohio spent the summer at Valley View.
Originally, the Overlook and surrounding buildings were called Valley View. As farming dwindled, and summer rentals increased, the surrounding buildings were turned into summer cabins. This collection of buildings was eventually called Valley View Chalets. In 1924, the President of Wooster College in Ohio spent the summer at Valley View.
In the 1950s and 1960s the town of Estes Park was looking for ways to bring visitors to the area during the winter. There was even an olympic size swimming pool down town. They tried to promote skiing in the area. Of course this was before there were ski lifts in Colorado and the wanna be skiers had to climb to the top of the mountains to ski down the slope. Nearly all of the homeowners in Estes Park tried to market their property as winter destinations and skiable. Of course this didn't last long. Estes doesn't have consistent snow in the winter and the large ski resorts with ski lifts established slopes in the higher mountains with more reliable snow fall. During this time, Valley View Chalets became Valley View E-Z Ski Cottages. Here is a picture of the sign promoting the Valley View E-Z Ski Cottages. In this picture you can see the Overlook and some of the surrounding cabins that are still here today. The Overlook is in the background.
After the town gave up promoting skiing in and around Estes, the Overlook became Valley View Cottages. Here is a sign from the early 1970s. Machin's Cottages is still located further up the road inside the park. Valhalla Cottages sits in the valley in front of the Overlook in the area that was once used as grazing land for cattle from the Overlook.
In the late 1970s, the buildings surrounding the Overlook were individually sold and the Overlook became a single family residential property. 20 years ago we purchased one of the surrounding buildings and it has been our mountain retreat ever since. 10 years ago we purchased the Overlook and made it a vacation rental. The Overlook has experience tremendous changes over the last 114 years. Today it is true historical treasure that has changed with the times and with the changes in Estes Park and the surrounding area.
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