Historic Baehrden Lodge in Pine Grove opening for tours

Historic Baehrden Lodge in Jefferson County opening for tours
By Josie Klemaier, YourHub Reporter
Posted: 04/24/2014

PINE GROVE — A Midwestern electricity tycoon gave his family two choices: spend the summer sailing the world, or spend it in Colorado.

Their decision led to a historic property for Jefferson County Open Space.

Baehrden Lodge was built in 1927 at the very western edge of Jefferson County at present-day Pine Valley Ranch Park . Echoing the grand, alpine style commissioned by wealthy families in the early 20th century in places like the Adirondack region of northern New York, Baehrden tells a storied architectural history.

With the help of HistoriCorps volunteers , Jeffco Open Space has renovated the lodge's porch, great hall and dining room and began giving tours last summer. Those free tours continue this June through August.

Baehrden of the Rockies was listed in the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties in 1998.

Read more: Historic Baehrden Lodge in Jefferson County opening for tours - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/golden/ci_256 ... z2zub3wN00
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Preservation of the Baehrden Lodge by HistoriCorps

Photos: Baehrden Lodge in Pine, Colorado
By Anya Semenoff
Posted Apr 22, 2014

Tours will be held on Sundays from June-August.

I would choose the Colorado Rockies over a boat trip too!

Consider ourselves lucky as I knew some of the potential buyers and got to see it, before it was restored. The buyers chose a larger parcel. Their loss, our gain. Thanks for buying it JOS.

Historic Lodge at Pine Valley Ranch Park Reopens for Summer Tours

The unique Colorado Alpine lodge called the Baehrden, located in Jeffco Open Space Pine Valley Ranch Park, will reopen for tours this summer. In 2013, Jeffco Open Space made a big push to open the building to the public and with the help of HistoriCorps volunteers, renovated the lodge's porch, great hall and dining room and began giving tours last year.

The free tours start up again on June 1, and continue every Sunday this summer through August 31. Presented every 30 minutes, the first tour starts at 11 AM and last tour at 2:30 PM. Registration is not required but each tour is limited to the first 20 people. Visitors can meet outside the lodge to wait for the next tour.

Designed by Denver architect J.J.B. Benedict as a mountain lodge for William A. Baehr of Chicago, Baehrden is a classic representation of the rustic Colorado Alpine style of architecture. It is listed on the State Register of Historic Places.

After Baehr’s death in 1956, the lodge was sold to a group of affluent Denver families who turned the property into a mens-only fishing retreat and then the Pine Valley Country Club. A realty corporation purchased the grounds in 1975, adding an in-ground swimming pool, a sauna, cabins and a dining room to the renamed Pine Valley Ranch Conference Center and Family Resort. The resort operated for 11 years before Jeffco Open Space acquired the property in 1986.

Watch Video About the Baehrden:
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The tours offer a glimpse of unique architecture and Colorado history. While at Pine Valley Ranch Park, visitors can also enjoy hiking, fishing and scenic views.

For more information about the tours please contact the Hiwan Homestead Museum: 720-497-7650

The Jeffco Parks Department is comprised of Jeffco Open Space, the Fairgrounds, CSU Extension, Boettcher Mansion and Weed and Pest. Open Space, the largest division, was founded as a land conservation organization in 1972 and preserves natural and cultural resources, provides quality outdoor recreation experiences and promotes sound environmental stewardship. Jeffco Open Space is funded with a one-half of one-percent sales tax that has protected over 52,000 acres and created 28 regional parks and 227 miles of trails in Jefferson County.

Thea Rock
Communications Manager
303-271-5902


http://jeffco.us/parks/news/2014/histor ... mer-tours/

Per @JeffcoOpenSpace 1h

Tours of Baehrden, the lodge at Pine Valley Ranch Park, have been suspended until further notice. Pest control is underway.