Harvey Witwer was the son of Elizabeth Studebaker and nephew of John Mohler Studebaker of the Studebaker Automobile Company.1Lahr, Denise Witwer. Harvey E Witwer. Find A Grave, 2020, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65313008/harvey-e_-witwer Harvey first worked for the family business by selling wagons and horse harnesses in Missouri. He was then sent to Greeley in 1899 to manage John Studebaker’s share of the Percheron-Norman Horse horse ranch. His involvement led to the renaming of the business to the S.L.W. Ranch or the Studebaker, Lamb and Witwer Ranch.2United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places, Registration Form, NPS Form 10-900 entry for SLW Ranch, Weld, CO. 3“SLW Ranch.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SLW_Ranch
Harvey spent the next few years developing the business. He sold and rented excess pasture land to small farmers and invested in a breeding program to develop a “Hardy Hereford” that would be better acclimated to Colorado weather.4United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places, Registration Form, NPS Form 10-900 entry for SLW Ranch, Weld, CO. These ventures proved fruitful for Harvey.
It was in 1911 that he began looking for a summertime retreat. The new Idlewild homestead had just entered the market in the Big Thompson Canyon, and it was here that he decided to build his summer home.
A M Swan and J A Hill to Harvey E Witwer, lot 3 Idlewild; $30051911-09-29 – The Weekly Courier – Harvey Witwer Buys Idlewild Lot 3
Weekly Courier – September 29, 1911
Over the next few years Harvey and his family re-developed the three cabins on the property. They were all furnished and the larger two story cabin was outfitted with a running bath with spring water sourced from the nearby creek. Being a stockman, Harvey wanted to make the property into a working stock ranch, and so a barn was built and land was prepared for pasturing.
Two men and a woman at Idlewild Lodge c. 1910s. Without an exact date its unclear if Harvey Witwer was the owner of Idlewild Lodge at this point. Photo from the Fort Collins History Connection.6c. 1910 – Idlewild Lodge
Harvey’s father in law, Lathrop Cooley Stow, bought a lot next to the Witwers.
C S Ickes to L C Stow – pt L5 Idle Wild sub; $30071912-08-02 – The Weekly Courier – C S Ickes Sells Idlewild Lot 5 To L C Stow
Weekly Courier – August 2, 1912
Gradually Harvey and his family aquired more of the original Idlewild homestead, eventually owning all 160 acres. From this point on, the Witwers would use Idlewild primarily as a summer home and retreat for guests and family friends.
L. B. Tucker and Mr. Swope are visiting Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Witwer at Idylwilde on the Thompson for a few days.81912-08-01 – The Greeley Tribune – L B Tucker and Swope Visit Idylwilde
The Greeley Tribune – August 1, 1912
Eva Long and Lucy Benjamin, young ladies from Longmont, who are spending their vacation at Idle Wild, walked to Estes Park last Monday and returned the following day.91914-08-15 – The Estes Park Trail – Eva Long and Lucy Benjamin at Idle Wild
The Estes Park Trail – August 15, 1914
Mr and Mrs. H. E. Witwer and two sons, Harvey and Stowe, accompanied by Mrs. R. Shawhan and son Kenneth of Kersey, have gone to the mountains, where they will spend some time at the Witwer cottage, Idlewild, in Thompson canon.101916-07-12 – Greeley Daily Tribune – Witwers at Idlewild Lodge
The Greeley Tribune – July 12, 1916
In 1918, six years after purchasing the property, Harvey decided to put Idlewild on the market. But the timing wasn’t right and there were no immediate buyers.
My friend, H. W. Witner [Witwer] from Greeley, has placed in my hands for quick disposal, his summer resort and stock ranch property, known as “Idlewild.” Three well furnished cottages; one two-story cottage has bath and spring water piped into house; 160 acres fine pasture land with barn. Will sell separately or altogether. Make good home or paying summer property. A real bargain (Rev.) J. E. LYNN, Phone Love. 189 4-3-6t111918-04-04 – Loveland Daily Herald – Harvey Witwer Puts Idlewild For Sale
Loveland Daily Herald – April 4, 1918
The property was put back on the market in 1920, and this time Harvey was able to sell the developed portion of Idlewild to George Dauth.
GEORGE Dauth of Greeley has bought Harvey Witwer’s mountain property located on the Thompson- a very pleasant retreat and one which Dauth secured at a bargain. It is reported that Witwer will move to California, presumably to console Hi Johnson over his rough treatment at the hands of the G.O.P. – which Harvey no doubt will agree is no way to treat a perfectly sound “Bull Moose.”121920-06-17 – Windsor Beacon – George Dauth Buys Idlewild Lodge
Windsor Beacon – June 17, 1920
MLA Format
Idlewild Lodge. "Harvey Ervin Witwer." Idlewild Lodge, Dauth Family Archive, 30 Mar. 2021, https://idlewildlodge.github.io/harvey-ervin-witwer/. Accessed 4 Jul. 2023.
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APA Format
Idlewild Lodge. (2021, March 30) Harvey Ervin Witwer. Retrieved July 4, 2023, from https://idlewildlodge.github.io/harvey-ervin-witwer/.
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Chicago Format
Idlewild Lodge. "Harvey Ervin Witwer." Idlewild Lodge. Dauth Family Archive, March 30, 2021. Accessed July 4, 2023. https://idlewildlodge.github.io/harvey-ervin-witwer/.
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