1863-1906

Before Idlewild Was Called Idlewild

1863

c. 1863

Frank Marvin Arrives in the Big Thompson Valley

Around 1863 Frank Marvin arrives in Larimer county and settles in the Big Thompson Valley. He makes a living as a trapper in the Buckhorn and Big Thompson Canyons, and possibly ventures to present day Idlewild by this time.
Idlewild Lodge - idlewildlodge.github.io - 1882-10-04 - The Colorado Transcript - Frank Marvin Profile [Cropped]

"He [Frank Marvin] was a resident of Larimer county and vicinity about 15 years previous to the event [November 1st, 1878], where he was known to every one."

The Colorado Transcript - November 4th, 1882

1870

c. 1870s

Frank Marvin has a Home at Idlewild

By the 1870s Frank Marvin had a home underneath a rock overhang at present day Idlewild.
Frank Marvin's Big Thompson home was located "...one half mile south and east of Loveland's municipal dam [Idylwilde Dam] on the Thompson. Here, under a projecting rock in a small, deep canon was where he lived when Marvin Flats inherited its name."

Frend Neville, Marvin Flats, Over Hill and Vale; In The Evening Shadows of Colorado's Longs Peak, 1956

1878

c. 1878

Frank Marvin Steals a Mule and Brings it to Idlewild

Sometime in 1878 Frank Marvin found a mule in the Buckhorn canyon and brought it back to his Idlewild home.
Idlewild Lodge - idlewildlodge.github.io - 1878-11-09 - Fort Collins Courier - Frank Marvin Murder - Marvin Steal a Mule and brings it to Idlewild

"It seems that Marvin had taken up a mule belonging to one of Matsons [Madisons] neighbors and kept it picketed up in the foot-hills claiming it as his own. Matson [Madison] went and got the mule and took it home."

Fort Collins Courier - November 9th, 1878

October, 1878

Don Anderson and John Madison Confront Frank Marvin at Idlewild

John Madison and Don Anderson go to Frank Marvin's Idlewild home and confront him regarding the stolen mule. They rough up Frank, confiscate his guns and retrieve the mule.
One day Anderson and Madison went to Marvin's rock home, and a fight followed. While Anderson was treating Marvin rough, Madison went in and took Marvin's guns.

Frend Neville, Marvin Flats, Over Hill and Vale; In The Evening Shadows of Colorado’s Longs Peak, 1956

November 1st, 1878

Frank Marvin Murders John Madison

Frank Marvin comes down from Idlewild, confronts John Madison and murders him.
Idlewild Lodge - idlewildlodge.github.io - 1878-11-09 - Fort Collins Courier - Frank Marvin Murder - p4 [Timeline Crop]

Blood for Blood

A Half Crazy County Pauper Shoots and Instantly Kills an Inoffensive citizen on the Big Thompson. A dispatch was received from Loveland on the evening of Nov. 1st stating that a man had been shot and instantly killed about five miles up the river from that place. Several of our citizens went over to Loveland on the freight train to learn the particulars. On arriving at Ritchie’s ranch , the scene of the murder, it was learned that Frank Marvin, a half lunatic who has, in part, been supported by the county, shot and killed a Swede named John Matson just as he was entering Ritchie’s house.

Fort Collins Courier - November 9th, 1878

November 2nd, 1878

Manhunt for Frank Marvin at Idlewild

A group of men under the direction of the Fort Collins Sheriff were sent to present day Idlewild following John Madison's murder. They found traps, furs and personal effects at his rock shelter. Frank Marvin had abandoned his belongings and would never return to Idlewild.
Jim Sweeney, the first sheriff of Larimer County, instructed his deputy to get several men and arrest Marvin. Among these men were John Lowe, George Galucia, Pat O’Hara and J. J. Thornton. Thornton and O’Hara went up into Rattlesnake park and crossed over into what is now Waltonia. Galucia, Lowe and the deputy sheriff went over Ute Pass and up the river. Upon a small hill where Lee Bonnell’s house now stands, they stopped and held council. (Since both Lee and his wife are dead, the house on the hill has passed to other hands.) John Lowe was a southern soldier, and the deputy told him to go down and get Marvin, while he and Galucia watched that Marvin did not get away. (Just like a deputy). “No,” said Lowe to the Deputy. ”You go and get him and let Galucia and I do the watching.” At that time O’Hara and Thornton were on the hill directly south of the Light or Municipal Dam. They saw the other three move away, and they too, took a back track.

Frend Neville, Marvin Flats, Over Hill and Vale; In The Evening Shadows of Colorado’s Longs Peak, 1956

1892

May 13th, 1892

John Rannells Organizes a Company to Build a Toll Road through the Big Thompson

John Rannells organizes a corporation, "The People's Toll-Road Mining and Manufacturing Company", to build a Toll Road through the Big Thompson Canyon, which would pass through present day Idlewild.
Idlewild Lodge - idlewildlodge.github.io - 1892-05-13 - The Leader - Toll Road Announcement - p1

To Middle Park - A Toll Road to Be Built There from Loveland

A corporation, with a strong financial backing, has been organized to build a toll road from Loveland to Middle Park, following the Big Thompson River to the park, and thence over the range. This is the finest scenic, as well as the most practical route from the plains to the gem of the mountains. the corporation is composed of parties form Larimer and Boulder counties. We are given to understand that the road will be completed before the tourist season of '92 sets in. The Leader will keep its readers thoroughly posted on this matter.

The Leader - May 13th, 1892

December 15th, 1892

John Rannells Surveys Idlewild in Preparation for His Toll Road

John Rannells surveys Idlewild to determine a route for his future toll road. He proposes building the road "...above Marvin's cabin, following the south side of the canon..."
Idlewild Lodge - idlewildlodge.github.io - 1892-12-15 - Loveland Reporter - Details about the Toll Road including Dixon Gulch - p4

A temperary road, however, could be improvised on a good grade quite cheaply. Commencing at the mouth of Dixon's gulch, we followed the old Handy survey for four miles, to the crossing of the Big Thompson near the mouth of North Fork , setting stakes every two hundred feet, and taking notes of the work in every section. We found the route entirely practical and no very difficult work. This survey leaves the creek twice and passes over two hill, the first being about 2000 feet in length with a grade of ten feet to the hundred all the way, coming down on the other side by a gentle grade of about seven feet to the hundred into the Walker flats. The next hill is longer but not so steep, coming down with a gentle grade into the canon above Marvin's cabin, following the south side of the canon to near the upper end  where a favorable place for crossing at an island with a span of about 16 feet to the island and about 50 feet on the other side, would land us for the first time on the north side of the Big Thompson - whence a wagon trail seemed to extend on up to the North Fork, less than a mile distant.

Loveland Reporter - December 15th, 1892

1893

c. 1893

Knapp Sawmill At Idlewild

Orren Smith Knapp, Ira Owen Knapp, and a party of men setup a sawmill at present day Idlewild
The Big Thompson River from the foothills to Estes Park was first permanently settled about 1893 when a saw mill was located at Harding Heights [Idlewild] by a party of men which included O.S. [Orren Smith Knapp] and Ira O. Knapp [Ira Owen Knapp].

Ira O. Knapp, Glen Haven, History of the Big Thompson Canyon, 1939

July 7th, 1893

Rannells Toll Road Reaches 2 Miles From Idlewild

John Rannells builds a toll road from the Pole Hill Road to his homestead in Cedar Cove up to a point just a few miles east of Idlewild.
Idlewild Lodge - idlewildlodge.github.io - 1893-06-30 - The Leader - Rannells Toll Road Update - Cropped

From him we learned that five miles of good road had been made from Zach Taylor's place to a point about two miles beyond Rannell's ranch, and that work was being pushed as rapidly as possible to complete the road to the Park.

The Leader - June 30th, 1893

1894

July 5th, 1894

Rannells Toll Road Reaches Idlewild

Rannells Toll Road reaches the 7 mile mark which would place it at present day Idlewild.
Idlewild Lodge - idlewildlodge.github.io - 1894-07-05 - Loveland Reporter - Toll Road up to Idlewild

The Toll Road

The new road is now passable for about seven miles. A few more shares of stock sold and the work will be rushed through to completion-and the stockholders and the Loveland business men will be great gainers. The prices of toll now in force are (for the roundtrip) single rigs 25c; double rigs, 50c. The best fishing grounds can be found along the road.

Loveland Reporter - July 5, 1894

December 27th, 1894

The Knapps Partner with Rannells on the Sawmill

John Rannells is mentioned as being a co-owner of the Knapp sawmill.
-H Knapp has bought a onefourth interest in the saw mill run by Rannells and Knapp.

Loveland Reporter - December 27th 1894

1896

c. 1896

Knapp Sawmill Moved To Glen Haven

The Knapps moved their sawmill from Idlewild to present day Glen Haven.
Later in 1896, after two removed, the Knapps brought the saw mill to Glen Haven, and in 1897 made the claims on the land which became the subdivision comprising what is now the Glen Haven Resort

Joseph G. Knapp, The Glen Haven Story, 1967

1904

1904

The Riley Road Was Built Through Present Day Idlewild

The Riley Road was built through present day Idlewild and opened to the public at the beginning of 1904. It was the first road that traversed the Big Thompson "narrows" reducing the travel time from Loveland to Estes Park. Its location through Idlewild played an important role in encouraging Ella Van Bramer to homestead here.
"The road was first traveled early in 1904."

Estes Park Trail - April 23rd, 1937

1906

May 31st, 1906

Ella Van Bramer Discovers Idlewild

Ella Van Bramer begins building a camping resort at present day Idlewild. Construction of the "Idlewild House" as well as "Stewarts" cabin likely began at this point.
Idlewild Lodge - idlewildlodge.github.io - 1906-05-31 - Loveland Register - Mrs Van Bramer Opens Resort (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.

Loveland Register – May 31, 1906