In the early 1920s, Clarence H. Stump, a grain farmer from Loveland, purchased Idlewild Lot 17.11936-08-05 – Greeley Daily Tribune – Clarence Stump Farming Wheat21944-11-02 – Greeley Daily Tribune – Clarence Stump Farming Corn Here he built a three room log cabin, which was known locally as the Stump Inn.31930-03-06 – Greeley Daily Tribune – Stump Inn For Sale In 1927 Mr. Stump sold the property to J. E. Hamilton.41927-05-08 – The Fort Collins Express Courier
Stump, Clarence H. et al-Hamilton, J. E. – $1. W 1-2 L. 17 Idle Wild Sub.51927-05-08 – The Fort Collins Express Courier
The Fort Collins Express Courier – May 8, 1927
Despite new ownership, the Hamiltons would continue to refer to the cabin with Mr. Stumps namesake. Like most cabins at Idlewild, the Hamiltons would use it as a summer home and guest house for family and friends.
Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Launhbaugh and baby spent Friday night with her sister at Stump Inn in the Thompson canon.61927-08-18 – Windsor Beacon
Windsor Beacon – August 18, 1927
In 1932 an accident occurred when Mr. Hamilton left a kerosene lamp sitting precariously at the edge of a table. The lamp fell, shattered, spilling kerosene all over the floor, which immediately ignited.71932-01-29 – The Estes Park Trail
Cottage Where Windsor People Are Guests Burns To Ground Sunday Eve
“Stump Inn” cottage at Harding Heights, in the Thompson canon, burned to the ground Sunday evening because of the explosion of a kerosene oil lamp. Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Launchbaugh and son, Billy Bob, of Windsor witnessed the fire but were powerless to save the cabin. They had spent the day with Mrs. Launchbaugh’s sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Hamilton, at the cottage. The two families were preparing to leave and all had left the cabin except Mr. Hamilton, who accidentally placed a kerosene lamp too near the edge of a table. It upset and exploded. The cabin of Mrs. L. E. Ver Husen’s parents was threatened by the flames, but a bucket brigade was formed and carried water from “The Wild’s” cabin some distance away, saving the cottage that was in danger.81932-01-28 – Windsor Beacon
Windsor Beacon – January 28, 1932
The resulting fire immediately engulfed the wooden cabin and began encroaching towards the next door cottage owned by the Withrow family. A water bucket line starting from Ed Wild’s cabin helped put out the fire and prevent any injuries, however the Stump Inn was completely destroyed.