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About OldEstes
I grew up in Estes Park in the 50’s and 60’s, and
attended school there from Kindergarten through High School. And although I
left for 30+ years to seek my fortune in the corporate world, I never forgot
Estes Park. Retired now, I split my time between
Estes Park and Southern
California. I love Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park and its
history, and have spent the last several years acquiring items that reflect that
heritage.
My family has been in The
Park since the very early days. Grandfather Francis Atwell Somerville first
came to The Park between 1905 and 1910 where he built a small summer home.
Later Grandmother Alpharetta Lemmon Somervilla bought a parcel of land on the
Big Thompson River near town from F.O. Stanley himself where she and “Frank”
built their second summer home in 1917. After her husband died in 1925, she
converted “Somervilla” to an early version of a bed and breakfast which she ran
for many years. After her death, the property passed to my Mother Elaine
Somerville Tanton who through hard work and sacrifice managed to keep and
preserve the property even through hard times.
My pursuit of Estes Park history started when
looking out over the valley, I wondered what it looked like before Joel Estes
arrived. I was happy to find that the artists and photographers who were drawn
to the area by its beauty, left an excellent record of the pristine beauty of
those early days.
I grew up in a time when
many of the folks mentioned in these pages were still around. I knew Lyman
Byxbe, Dave Stirling and Alfred Wands, and spent time in their studios enjoying
their art. I watched as Buell Porter added one after another of his special
Christmas scenes to the Town’s collection, and talked to him many times. I
heard the near-perfect spiel of Phil Martin as he excited another wide-eyed
group of children ready to ride off into his imaginary world on the Silver
Streak. I met Jack Moomaw and heard his wonderful stories first hand. And I
developed a deep lifelong interest in the Park and all that happened there.
—Dave Tanton
(OldEstes)
Some history in photos:
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Before Much Else
Somervilla was built in white box in 1917 |
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Enos Mills—The Range from Somervilla
Many of the early photographers found this spot a special one. |
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FP Clatworthy—The Range from Somervilla
Another view from before the family home was built in 1917. |
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Clatworthy Photo—Winter in Estes
From his studio...Somervilla in center. A 4 x 6' enlargement of this hung in Alpha Somerville's home for years. |
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Somervilla—Late Teens
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Somervilla—1920
Great car! |
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Frank Atwell Somerville, and Daughter Elaine—1920
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Clatworthy Post Card With Somervilla in Center
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Somervilla—c1937
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Elaine Somerville 1921
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Alpha Lemmon Somerville and Daughter Elaine c1932
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Somervilla—c1940
Note the Rooms & Cottages sign at left |
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Somervilla—December 1954
A very white Christmas that year. |
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OldEstes—c1955
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"Wintervilla" Childhood Home of OldEstes
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Somervilla—1969
You can just see Alpha Somerville at the door.... |
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OldEstes Today
From Somervilla deck.... |
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