The story of Idlewild begins with Ella. She was the daughter of Frank Bartholf, a businessman of Loveland, who was developing the land around the confluence of the Big Thompson and the North Fork, known at the time as The Forks, and today as Drake. He had previously established a homestead there in the 1890s and ranched the land with one of the first pioneers of the canyon, Louis Papa. In response to increasing tourism Frank decided to build the Forks Hotel in 1904, and put Ella in charge of managing the business in 1905.11909-05-19 – The Weekly Courier – Van Bramer Working at Idylwild
Looking west at Palisade Mountain from Louie Papa’s valley, present day Viestenz-Smith mountain park. Idlewild is located one valley over, at the base of Palisade Mountain. Photo taken by Elizabeth Dauth c. 1920.2c. 1920 – Palisade Mountain
Ella, with help from her mother, acted as hostess for the many patrons that were now touring canyon by the newly opened Loveland-Estes Park stage line. Here she cooked hot meals for stage coach passengers and provided lodging for guests wanting to stay the night. 31906-07-26 – Loveland Reporter – Ray Stewart at Idlewild
Mrs. Van Bramer is hostess at the Forks hotel and with her mother Mrs. F. G. Bartholf is now accomodating many pleased patrons of that famous hostelry. Both going to the Park and returning our party stopped here to dine – a fact that found unanimous favor and may lead us that way again when we get over this trip..41906-07-26 – Loveland Reporter – Ray Stewart at Idlewild
Loveland Register – July 26, 1905
Ella managed the property for only a short while, as her father decided to sell the Forks Hotel to Frank C. Alderdyce in December, 1905.51905-12-06 – The Weekly Courier – Alderdyce Purchases Forks Hotel Wanting to continue with the hospitality business, Ella scouted the region for an opportunity and quickly found it “three miles east of the Forks.”61906-05-31 – Loveland Register – Ella Van Bramer Finds Idlewild
Mrs. Van Bramer has located a pretty resort three miles east of the Forks and will have nicely furnished tents, well floored and protected which will be for rent to campers and tourists who travel toward the Hills this summer. She will also make a specialty of serving special Sunday dinners and meals. Special rates by the week and to parties. For information as to accommodations address, Mrs. Van Bramer, Drake, Colorado.71906-05-31 – Loveland Register – Ella Van Bramer Finds Idlewild
Loveland Register – May 31, 1906
It was in June of 1906 that Ella named this valley between the Palisades and Sheep Mountain, “Eydlwilde.”
Mrs. Ella Van Bramer has named her colony of tents in the hills, Eydl-wilde. It is located just beyond the second canon, about three miles this side of the Forks. Mrs. Van Bramer is fixing it up in rather artistic style and it will be vastly popular with the Loveland folk during the summer.81906-06-14 – Loveland Register – Ella Van Bramer Names Idlewild
Loveland Register – June 14, 1906
She immediately applied for a homestead and spent the next five years developing her resort. She built wooden platforms throughout the property and erected permanent tents that could be rented out. She also built a kitchen to provide food for her guests or those on a weekend getaway to Estes Park.
The first advertisement for Ella Van Bramer’s “Iydlewilde” Summer Resort, advertising tents, fishing, and meals.91906-06-21 – The Loveland Register – First Advertisement For Idlewild From the Loveland Register, June 21st 1906.
Mrs. Van Bramer has been to Denver, looking after her homestead interests to her claim at Idlewild.101909-09-01 – Weekly Courier – Mrs Van Bramer Idlewild Homestead
Weekly Courier – September 1, 1909
On August 9th 1910 Ella completed the paperwork to subdivide her land and officially name the sub-division IDLE WILD. By this date two additional cabins had also been built on the homestead. One of these cabins, simply referred to as “Stewarts“, would later become the foundation structure of the Idlewild Lodge.
Sub-division plat for “IDLE WILD SUBDIVISION” signed August 9th, 1910.111910-08-09 – Idlewild Subdivision Blueprint Plat
In May 1911 Ella reached the five year eligibility period for her homestead and obtained a land patent for her property. Although successful with her venture she decided to move on and sold Idlewild a few months later.
Ella Van Bramers homestead land patent filed on May 11th 1911.121911-05-08 – Idlewild Homestead Patent
MLA Format
Idlewild Lodge. "Ella Van Bramer." Idlewild Lodge, Dauth Family Archive, 30 Mar. 2021, https://idlewildlodge.github.io/ella-van-bramer/. Accessed 4 Jul. 2023.
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APA Format
Idlewild Lodge. (2021, March 30) Ella Van Bramer. Retrieved July 4, 2023, from https://idlewildlodge.github.io/ella-van-bramer/.
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Chicago Format
Idlewild Lodge. "Ella Van Bramer." Idlewild Lodge. Dauth Family Archive, March 30, 2021. Accessed July 4, 2023. https://idlewildlodge.github.io/ella-van-bramer/.
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