El Rancho,Colorado in Misc. Thoughts opinions, the whole trash can.

This past Monday, we walked Moose for the first time, other than the trails around our home. He has been trained and is a pleasure. After our walk, it was nearing lunchtime. Maria said, we should see if we can find a dog friendly restaurant, and have lunch outside. Looking on the “phone”, El Rancho/Brewing, came up.

Funny how things trigger memories. From when I was a small child, this area has grown. From the town of Evergreen, to Bergen Park, and the El Rancho site. Highway 74 wow ( nick named Evergreen Parkway ), development of homes, shopping areas, and small businesses. Ya’ll even have a Home Depot, gotta have one of those.

In the late 50’s and early 60’s, my mother worked as a secretary for IML trucking. The company picnic was always held in early to mid June, in Bergen Park.
http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/y434/terrm20/iml_peterbilt_zpsznryjnpn.jpg
Another memory and the Company no Longer exists.
Side Note: The coal tracks in Denver, ran past the IML Terminal Docks. I was maybe 24 at the time. Bringing in a Coal empty, there was an elderly man, watching us pass by. It was Howard Crosland, who was my mothers boss. They kept in touch till he passed. He called my mother and said was your son on that coal train about, 130-200 pm today. She said I’ll ask. Yep was me, funny how things occur.

Back to El Rancho, and what it was and is today.

El Rancho was built in 1948 by the Jahnke family as a trading post. They sold the building in November 1953 to Mildred and Ray Zipprich, Milwaukee Wisconsin pie distributors. Their daughter Donna and son-in-law Paul McEncroe joined them in February 1958 and operated it, with their children, until 1988. After the McEncroes sold El Rancho in 1988 it was owned and operated by various families. (Courtesy El Ranch Brewing).

El Rancho was a Restaurant and Trading Post, and at one time a small Motel, om the upper floors. It was rumored that President Esienhower, would stay a day or two, before going up to the Grand County area. Remember that, Highways 6 and 40 were the only access to the Mountains, the Western Slope and to Utah state. I-70, wasn’t even thought of. The passes Loveland (US.6) and Berthoud (US 40) was your access west.

The original El Rancho Trading post. How about that Woody on the far right hand side.

El Rancho as I knew it as a child, and as a young adult. As you can see, it has under gone, many changes and renovations

The Iconic El Rancho neon sign, yes still functional and in tact.

El Rancho as it is today in 2018, many changes, the parking lot has expanded. There is a First Bank to the left of the photo, and the entry way to the Comfort Inn and Suites to the right.

Maria and I have eaten there several times, at the “Old El Rancho”, which served Prime Rib, Steaks, Seafood, and fresh Colorado Trout. It was old school, and had wooden log tables and Goucho style chairs. The bar area was, dark with candle and low lighting. Was an old school bar too. Not Art Deco, but of the 1940’s-50’s era. There were many Bison, Deer, and Antelope heads. Hey was the old wild west. The gift shop was just right of the main lobby. That has all disappeared.

The Brew tanks now occupy, where the gift shop once stood.

We drove to El Rancho and Maria went in and asked if dogs were welcome on the patio area. They said yes, and we were the only ones there, on the patio. A new milestone for Mr. Moose.

Mr Moose and the Old Rail after lunch. Elevation here is 7678 ft, and 65 F, still needed a jacket.
We had lunch, loaded up, and back home via I-70 and C-470. I am now 66, retired from the railroad. These are memories from 58 years ago. Old cars, two lane state highways and the dreaded “Vapor Lock” on the carburetors. Mountain air was that fresh, crisp, and the smell of the pines.

From the Patio deck. Snow on the higher peaks, winter is showing its head. Arapahoe Basin, Loveland, and Wolf Creek, are open for limited skiing.

This is looking west from El Rancho. Oh a road you are thinking. No, this is what is left of US-40. Most of US-40 is a frontage road along the I-70 corridor, or shown combined with I-70.

I know, another “road” pic. This is looking east. Where the stop light is now, there wasn’t one. US-40 curved toward me, and if you went straight, you were headed to Bergen Park and the town of Evergreen. The next set of photos will show what was there at one time, until 1970. Big stuff, before civilization and development.

The TeePee’s, yep be still your beating hearts. That at one time was a hopping joint. Dinner Cocktails, dancing, a trading post. And when yer a kid..wow Nirvana.
The Tepees was 18 miles west of Denver on Highway 40. It was a combination souvenir shop and restaurant with dancing and cocktails. The Tepees boasted of having the world’s tallest teepees. I believe the place was built in the 1940s. It was vacant in the 1960s and demolished in the 1970s. photo Larry Burda.

A small trip and deviation. Think back as you were growing up. Everything was BIGGER than you could imagine. From my times up here, to being at my grandparents, and watching the Rio Grande railroad go by, to what it is now. And to I was actually running freights, at a young age. Time has gone past !!!! Didn’t I have a Red Flag out for time to stop!!.. LOL Thanks for reading

Last updated October 24, 2018