ESTES PARK, Colo., March 25, 2002 - The historic Stanley Hotel has
long been an institution in the town of Estes Park. Freelan Oscar
(F.O.) Stanley's vision of a large luxurious New England-style resort became
a reality in the early 1900s and helped shape the community of Estes Park
with the birth of the hotel, which led to a jumpstart in tourism as the
community's livelihood. Once again the Stanley Hotel is following
the tradition of its founding father by giving back to the community and
reopening the newly renovated Stanley Concert Hall.
| Built as part of the main hotel in 1907, Stanley Concert Hall first
opened in June of 1909 when the hotel's builder, F.O. Stanley, entertained
a group of pharmacists. After convincing the Colorado Pharmacal Association
to hold its 20th annual meeting at the hotel, Stanley rolled out the red
carpet for his first guests: 125 association members and their wives.
A fleet of 22 Stanley |
The Stanley Hotel
333 Wonderview
Estes Park, CO
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Steamers escorted the group from the Loveland train station through the
Big Thompson Canyon. The group held their meetings in the "Stanley
Hall" and returned a few years later.
After decades of not being used, the newly renovated "Stanley Hall"
(as locals call it) has reopened for community performances, entertainment
and conventions. The people of Estes Park welcome its return.
"The Stanley Hotel is part of Estes Park, and we are excited that we will
have local use of the Concert Hall," said Maureen Corey, Stanley Museum's
site manager.
"The Stanley Hall has a lot of history behind it," said Raphaela Baron,
Director of Sales and Marketing for the Stanley Hotel. "We have gone
through some exciting renovations to bring it back to life and share it
with the community."
Stanley Hall was once called The Casino, though there's never been
gambling in it. The Casino held "high class balls" on Saturday nights
for guests along with a full bowling alley until renovation began in 2000.
The Hall continues in its renovations.
What F. O. Stanley did for Estes Park
Estes Park was a tourism destination as early as 1874. There
was no gold or silver to be found and most ranches gave up on cattle and
turned to the tourism industry. By 1900, "dude" ranches were abundant.
F. O. Stanley, inventor of the Stanley Steamer, created the Stanley Hotel
resort and opened it in 1909. Its presence helped put Estes Park
on the map as a tourist town, especially after the creation of Rocky Mountain
National Park in 1916. After Stanley sold the hotel in 1926, it weathered
hard financial times, closing during World War II and opening intermittently
during summers until renovation in the 1980s. It is now open year-round.
F. O. Stanley's efforts helped create the town's infrastructure --
power, sewer, water, roads, clinics, banks, etc. He built a hydroelectric
plant nearby in the mountains to provide power for the hotel. The
plant also supplied the village of Estes Park with electricity. Stanley
created a water pipe system from the mountain to supply running water to
the hotel and village. When it opened, there were telephones in each
guest room, which at the time was a great luxury. Stanley then provided
the same for the village. Estes Park became the first resort community
to use Mr. Stanley's Stanley Steamer "Mountain Wagon" bus to bring guests
by automobile from the Loveland train station.
About the Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel opened in 1909 from the vision of F.O. Stanley who
originated from the New England area. The style of architecture chosen
by Stanley was neoclassical Georgian, resembling the resort architecture
of the eastern seaboard and taking its name from the ruling monarch in
England. The hotel is only six miles from Rocky Mountain National
Park and 72 miles north of Denver. With 135 rooms and full conference
facilities, the Stanley Hotel hosts conferences, weddings and thousands
of tourists yearly.
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