The initial settlers were captivated by the picturesque surroundings of Evergreen and could not ignore the stretch of terrain along Upper BearCreek. As news of its beauty spread, visitors from Denver and beyond began visiting the area to enjoy its evergreen trees in the summertime. It was recorded in the State Business Directory from 1900 that Evergreen was a “summer resort in Jefferson County.” On Upper Bear Creek, six summer resorts, such as Troutdale, Bendameer, T Bar S, Singin’ River Ranch, Greystone and Brookvale, were active between 1900 and 1941.

Signs with names such as Granite Glen, Rippling Waters, Wilcox on the Rocks, Greystone Estate, Glen Eyrie, Landview in the Pines, Glendora adorn stone and log estate homes that line the banks of Bear Creek, evoking nostalgic images. Wrought iron gates on stone walls separate these homes from the road. Between the estates, small cabins without fences, gates, or names stand in unassuming lots. The most captivating sight of all is the decaying remains of Troutdale-in-the-Pines, a resort that has been closed for over three decades.

In the early 1880s, the seeds of a resort were planted on a wooded parcel of land acquired by homesteading and settled by the family of Jasper D. Babcock. Babcock had moved from Illinois to Golden following the Civil War, where he was in the “hotel business”. After relocating his wife and four children to 160 acres on Bear Creek, west of Evergreen, in 1881, he cultivated 25 acres in potatoes, oats and rye. By 1887, Babcock had constructed 25-30 log cabins, a main lodge and an artificial lake on the property. The cabins were comfortable and each featured a homemade quilt. The lodge also included a kitchen and a parlor, with Mrs. Babcock serving guests with home-cooked meals. To reach the resort, visitors took a train from Denver to Morrison, where they were then picked up and transported 14 miles through Bear Creek Canyon.

The railroad’s contribution to the growth of Colorado’s tourism industry cannot be understated. The completion of the transcontinental rail line in 1869 and its subsequent arrival in the state in 1870 were the driving forces behind the beginning of the industry. An early 1900s Union Pacific Railroad pamphlet, meant to draw in hordes of summer vacationers to the area, described Colorado in glowing terms as having snow-capped peaks, glistening streams, serene and sparkling lakes, excellent camping grounds providing bountiful hunting and fishing, lush and sweeping parks at elevations of two miles, and a delightful climate all contributing to it being one of the country’s top tourist destinations.

The Troutdale Hotel ran on the American Plan, which included all amenities and activities, with the exception of a nominal fee for horseback riding and golfing. A brochure from the 1920s showed the rate of $5.00 per day and up, while an information sheet from 1939 listed prices ranging from $8.50 to $22.50. The Troutdale Golf Course, now known as the Evergreen Golf Course, was a short distance from the hotel and was deeded to Denver in 1926 with the condition that the land must be kept as a golf course. The golf course’s club house, a rustic log structure built in 1925, now houses the “Keys on the Green” Restaurant.

The Troutdale Hotel and Realty Company was largely staffed by Nebraskans in its first decade, and Sidles continued this trend by hiring university students from the state to work in the summer. This practice was maintained until the hotel ceased operation, although students from other areas were taken on as well. Mr and Mrs Sidles believed in providing the employees with a vacation-like experience, allowing them to use the facilities and participate in activities just like a guest.

TROUTDALE IN THE PINES

The most famous resort Evergreen has ever seen was called Troutdale in the Pines.   The only places that even came close to touching it in its day was the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and the Stanley in Estes Park.  Harry E. Sidles, a car dealer from the state of Nebraska.

It was about 1914 that Sidles built his wonderful summer residence he named “Rippling Waters”.  It was about a mile up the canyon.  At first he only used this as a summer retreat and get mountain getaway.  Then about six years later he decided to build his pride and joy.  It was developed just north of Bear Creek and the golf course was on the other side of the creek.  It had

everything for the rich and famous.  They had paddle boats shaped like swans on  a private man made lake,  horse riding through tons of trails and a 17 hole golf course.

This paradise mountain retreat was equipped with 100 guest rooms, a beautiful ball room like you see in all the old movies, top entertainment and fantastic world class dining.  Since it was such a fantastic place it drew all the top stars of the time such as Greta Garbo, Jack Benny and Groucho Marx.  Anyone who was anyone stayed at the Troutdale.

In 1926 Sidles donated the Golf Course to Denver Parks with the stipulation that it was to remain a public golf course.  When Denver built Evergreen Lake in 1927, Sidles decided to expand his resort.   He was a very crafty businessman.  So he decided to add another story to his hotel to now accommodate over 300 guests.  The rates for this glorious hotel were a whopping $5 a day.

In 1934 Sidles tragically passed away and the resort was never the same.  After bad management and vandals the greatest resort in Evergreen history was just that…history.  It is now the Troutdale in the Pines Condos.

Posted by: @orson_hill_realty

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The most famous resort Evergreen has ever seen was called Troutdale in the Pines.   The only places that even came close to touching it in its day was the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and the Stanley in Estes Park.  Harry E. Sidles, a car dealer from the state of Nebraska.

It was about 1914 that Sidles built his wonderful summer residence he named “Rippling Waters”.  It was about a mile up the canyon.  At first he only used this as a summer retreat and get mountain getaway.  Then about six years later he decided to build his pride and joy.  It was developed just north of Bear Creek and the golf course was on the other side of the creek.  It had

everything for the rich and famous.  They had paddle boats shaped like swans on  a private man made lake,  horse riding through tons of trails and a 17 hole golf course.

This paradise mountain retreat was equipped with 100 guest rooms, a beautiful ball room like you see in all the old movies, top entertainment and fantastic world class dining.  Since it was such a fantastic place it drew all the top stars of the time such as Greta Garbo, Jack Benny and Groucho Marx.  Anyone who was anyone stayed at the Troutdale.

In 1926 Sidles donated the Golf Course to Denver Parks with the stipulation that it was to remain a public golf course.  When Denver built Evergreen Lake in 1927, Sidles decided to expand his resort.   He was a very crafty businessman.  So he decided to add another story to his hotel to now accommodate over 300 guests.  The rates for this glorious hotel were a whopping $5 a day.

In 1934 Sidles tragically passed away and the resort was never the same.  After bad management and vandals the greatest resort in Evergreen history was just that…history.  It is now the Troutdale in the Pines Condos.

See more info here https://orsonhillrealty.com/troutdale-in-the-pines-evergreen-colorado/

Troutdale in the Pines – Historical Hotel in Evergreen Colorado

The illustrious Evergreen resort, formerly named Troutdale in the Pines, had no equal in its heyday. It was comparable to the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and the Stanley in Estes Park in its magnificence. The originator of the resort was car dealer Harry E. Sidles from Nebraska.

In 1914, Sidles erected a summer retreat which he humorously named “Rippling Waters” at the top of the canyon. It was initially just a leisurely getaway. But six years later, he pursued the development of his beloved project. Just north of Bear Creek, the golf course was on the other side of the creek, and it was a marvel to behold.

The affluent and renowned had access to a plethora of luxuries. On a private lake, they had swan-shaped paddle boats, the opportunity to go horseback riding on many trails, and a 17-hole golf course on their property.

The Troutdale was a luxurious mountain retreat that was renowned by celebrities, like Greta Garbo, Jack Benny, and Groucho Marx. It was a paradise with 100 guest rooms, a grand ballroom, entertainment, and top-notch cuisine. This picturesque getaway was a popular spot for famous people in the day, and was considered a must-visit for anyone seeking the finest amenities.

In 1926, the Denver Parks authority was gifted a Golf Course by Sidles, and he specified it should stay available to the public. Subsequently, in 1927, Sidles determined to expand his resort with the inclusion of Evergreen Lake. As he was an astute businessman, he added an extra story to the hotel permitting for up to 300 visitors. The cost for a stay in this luxurious hotel was an extravagant $5 a day.

In 1934, Sidles’ death marked the beginning of a sad decline for the Evergreen resort. Poor management and vandalism eventually led to its demise, with the resort now known as the Troutdale in the Pines Condominiums.

At the entrance of Troutdale is the gatekeeper’s cottage, seemingly unoccupied. Adjacent to it is a structure that has been restored and changed many times over, from being the stables to a chauffeur’s house, and lastly, a girls’ dorm. Now, it is the caretaker’s residence, with gates locked and signs posted for unwanted visitors, in order to protect the now-haunted hotel.

Going to Troutdale was not just an ordinary job or vacation, but a remarkable experience that will not be forgotten.

In the late 1800s, the railroad industry marketed Colorado as “The Switzerland of America,” leading to an increase in the amount of tourists visiting the state. This prompted the construction of a number of grand hotels and resorts, such as the Hotel de Paris in Georgetown, the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, the Imperial in Cripple Creek, the Boulderado in Boulder, and the Stanley in Estes Park. At the same time a much simpler development was unfolding in Upper Bear Creek canyon, bringing forth the vision of Troutdale in the Pines.

The first inhabitants were enchanted by the scenic Evergreen and its vicinity along Upper Bear Creek. Word got out quickly, drawing people from Denver and beyond to appreciate the evergreens during the summer. The State Business Directory from 1900 noted that Evergreen served as a “summer resort in Jefferson County.” From 1900 to 1941, six summer resorts operated in the vicinity of Upper Bear Creek, including Troutdale, Bendameer, T Bar S, Singin’ River Ranch, Greystone and Brookvale.

In the early 1880s, Jasper D. Babcock, who had moved from Illinois to Golden after the Civil War and was in the “hotel business”, homesteaded on a wooded 160-acre parcel of land in Bear Creek near Evergreen. He cultivated 25 acres, eventually building log cabins, a main lodge, and an artificial lake on the property. Each cabin was outfitted with a homemade quilt, and the main lodge included a kitchen and parlor, with Mrs. Babcock providing home-cooked meals. To reach the resort, guests took a train from Denver to Morrison, then were picked up and driven through Bear Creek Canyon.

In the year 1914, a Lincoln, Nebraska car dealership owner, Harry Sidles, bought several plots in Troutdale Estates in Upper Bear Creek and built a summer home which he called Rippling Waters. When given the opportunity to purchase the Troutdale Resort and its associated real estate, Sidles managed to get funding from a collection of investors and in 1919, construction commenced on a four-story, 100 room luxury hotel with a ballroom, a dining area, a billiard room, a bar, a barber shop, a drugstore, and a bakery. The grand opening night for the hotel was held in June of 1920 and guests were in awe when they drove around a corner on Upper Bear Creek Road and saw the massive stone structure resembling a European manor rising out of the rocks.

The Troutdale Hotel was run on the American Plan, with all services and activities provided, except a minor fee for horseback riding and golf. A brochure from the 1920s advertised a rate of $5.00 per day and up, while a 1939 information sheet listed the price from $8.50 to $22.50. The golf course near the hotel, which is now known as the Evergreen Golf Course, was gifted to Denver in 1926 with the stipulation that the land must remain a golf course.

During the 1940’s and 1950’s, college students were usually sought after to work during the summer season. James T. King, who went to Hastings College in Nebraska, was recommended to Troutdale Resort by one of his friends. King and his family had been visiting the Evergreen area since the early 1940’s, so he was delighted to be a part of the staff.

On March 30, 1963, it was reported by the Rocky Mountain News that Troutdale-in-the-Pines, a well-known resort hotel in the region, had been purchased by Sky Pilots, a spiritual training association headquartered in Aurora, Colorado. The president of Sky Pilots, the Rev. Elmer B. Sachs, had worked as a policeman before founding the organization nineteen years previously in California. According to Rev. Mr. Sachs, the purpose of the resort was to both improve the physical health of young people and strengthen their spiritual growth.

In the 1920s, the requirements for successful financing and professional management were not met, leading to the Troutdale Hotel near Evergreen deteriorating further. In 1967, the Jefferson County Commissioners granted a liquor and dance license to Chateau Troutdale, Inc., a corporation with 10 members who were planning to reopen the hotel, though this was contingent on them meeting the County’s standards. Ultimately, Chateau Troutdale never came to fruition. Additionally, a group of Iowa businessmen had hopes of reopening Troutdale as a 60-room resort and convention center, yet this never transpired.

Back in the 1970s, the Evergreen area was abuzz with talk of a plan to convert the area into high-end condos. The Canyon Courier reported that the Troutdale development would attempt to maintain as much of the original as possible with 45 units in two structures. The first 10 in the south wing of the old hotel had already been initiated with a completion date of autumn 1980 and an initial price tag of $240,000. A nationwide sales campaign to promote the Troutdale Club and Condominiums project was headed up by Bill Womacks.

In 1987, Evergreen locals were receptive to a plan to convert the Troutdale-in-the-Pines hotel into a 150-bed treatment facility for addiction. Yet, medical complications caused a six-month delay, and the firm behind the project eventually opted to abandon the plan.