The first cabin built at Idlewild was most likely the Idle Wild House. Constructed in 1906, this building was Ella Van Bramer’s personal residence and headquarters for her Idlewild Camping Resort. It served as camp office where guests would check in, as well as a place where travelers could stop and grab a quick meal.
Two versions of the Idlewild Subdivision Plat showing the “Idle Wild House.” The building was located on present day Lot 5, about 200 feet west of Idlewild Lodge and 100 feet east of the Idlewild Bridge.
While there are no confirmed images of the Idle Wild House, a likely photo of the cabin does exists. Around 1910, a photographer passed through Idlewild documenting life in the canyon. One of his photos clearly shows Idlewild Lodge under construction with the Turkington Cabin in the background:
The photo by the photographer passing through Idlewild showing Idlewild Lodge and the Turkington Cabin c. 1910. Photo is from the Fort Collins History Connection.
A second photo by the same photographer with the description “a cabin at Idlewild in the Big Thompson Canyon” shows a closeup of a third building:
The photo of the third “cabin at Idlewild” taken by the same photographer c. 1910. Photo from the Fort Collins History Connection.
We know from the Idlewild Subdivision Plat that in 1911 there were only three cabins at Idlewild. By process of elimination this building must be the Idle Wild House. It appears as a single room cabin with a small loft. The built in porch has a number of chairs and a small table where five people are gathered. Possibly Ella Van Bramer is one of them.
- “Idlewild.” Fort Collins History Connection: An Online Collaboration of the Fort Collins Museum and the Poudre River Public Library District. 2021. 01 Feb 2021.
- “Idlewild Cabin.” Fort Collins History Connection: An Online Collaboration of the Fort Collins Museum and the Poudre River Public Library District. 2021. 01 Feb 2021.