Did you know that Grand Lake is home to the oldest remaining motor court and hotel in America? Located near downtown Grand Lake at the new Cottage Court History Park, the recently restored Cottage Court Museum is owned and operated by The Grand Lake Area Historical Society.

The society is one of eight nonprofit organizations that make up the Grand Lake Creative District — a unique designation given to just 30 towns in Colorado. This recognition is given to communities that contribute to the state’s economy through creativity, culture and the arts. The district works to showcase cultural and artistic organizations and events, contribute to healthy community development, and serve as a focal point for celebrating and strengthening the community’s unique identity. 

The historical society was formed in 1973 and has grown its membership, museum collections and community services significantly over the years, culminating with an exciting new development to be unveiled this month. As is the case for many nonprofit organizations in Grand County, the historical society operates with an all-volunteer board, staff and committees.

Volunteers have committed more than 5,000 hours each year to provide education about local history and preservation opportunities, publications of historical topics, research and archival storage of family histories and community events. The popular “Happenings” speaker series held at the Grand Lake Community House on the second Tuesday of each month is one of these community events, among others.  

The historical society also operates two museum sites in Grand Lake: the Kauffman House, a log hotel built in 1892 overlooking Grand Lake, which opened as a museum in 1974; and the Smith-Eslick Cottage Court Museum, originally built in 1915 and opened as a museum in 2021.

The Cottage Court was part of Grand Lake’s first motor lodge on the site where Grand Lake’s Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre is presently located. Facing demolition in 2009, the society purchased property across the street from the original site and moved the structure to safety. It is now a charming indoor/outdoor museum showcasing hundreds of photos, memorabilia and stories of early automobile tourism.  

The Eslick Store Welcome Center opens in May  

With the support of generous donors, the historical society also purchased a second property adjacent to the Cottage Court Museum, which housed another historic structure formerly known as the Bay Window Cottage. The building was originally located near the Cottage Court motel site before being moved into an alley in 1957 and left to deteriorate for more than 60 years. This structure, now called the Eslick Store, was built by Loren Eslick in 1933 to serve as a visitor check-in and mercantile for his family’s lodging business.  

With grant funding from the Colorado State Historical Fund, the town of Grand Lake, the Grand Foundation, Grand County, the Grand Lake Creative District and community donations, work to bring the Eslick Store back to life began in June 2023. The structure was placed on a permanent foundation and the exterior was fully restored to its original 1933 condition. The interior renovated with rehabilitated flooring, storage, lights, a restroom and other modern necessities. After years of dedicated effort, the Eslick Store will open to the public for visitation May 25, 2024.  

For a $5 admission fee, visitors will be delighted with stories and information about Grand Lake history, and guided tours of the Cottage Court and Eslick Store properties. A selection of history books and pamphlets will also be available to purchase, along with vintage car items, children’s souvenirs, small treats and bottled water. Just as Loren originally intended, the site will serve as a mercantile and gathering place to share the stories of our community and those who first established it. 

Development of Grand Lake’s History Park  

The Eslick Store will eventually function as the welcome center to the Cottage Court History Park, as the rest of the property is slated to be developed into a lovely outdoor space for cultural presentations, events and programs for all ages. Proposed plans include the addition of outdoor amenities like a covered pavilion, firepits and additional landscaping around the grassy gathering space. 

“The History Park will become an oasis in this part of town that is currently lacking public amenities,” explained Grand Lake Historical Society President, Jim Cervenka. “We imagine it as a place to relax after touring the museum, meeting friends for a picnic or event or taking a break while hiking along the adjacent Continental Divide Trail.” 

The historical society welcomes public input about ideas for the future of this new green space. Comments and ideas can be submitted to historygrandlake@gmail.com.  

It’s “museum season” in Grand Lake 

Both the Kauffman House and Cottage Court museums will open for the season on May 24, and will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Labor Day ($5 adult admission, kids younger than 12 are free). The Grand Lake Historical Society invites you to its lineup of summer events, including its annual Volunteer Breakfast on May 24 at the Cottage Court Museum (open to current and prospective volunteers); special installments of the “Happenings” speaker series to be held at the Grand Lake Yacht Club on June 11 and Aug. 13; and the annual Homemade Pie Sale and Ice Cream Social at the Cottage Court on July 6.

Learn more at GrandLakeHistory.org.