Walking Thru Lyons’ History: Evans Homestead

Lyons is known as the “Double Gateway to the Rockies” because it is a junction point leading to both Estes Park and Allenspark. Both areas drew travelers for settlement and for challenges. The Longs Peak Mining District offered opportunities for miners starting in the 1870s. Though mining wound down by the turn of the century, the opportunity drew homesteaders and miners who were searching for a better life.

Other travelers had their sights on Longs Peak. Both Griffith Evans and Jim Nugent, known as Rocky Mountain Jim, took on the challenge of climbing Longs Peak. Another adventurer, Isabella Bird, “was determined to get to Estes Park, if at all possible” to climb Longs Peak.[1] She first attempted to reach Estes Park in 1873 from the mouth of the Big Thompson. After she initially failed, she traveled to Longmont, stopping at the St. Vrain Hotel in September of that year, and then continued along the St. Vrain River.[2] She eventually made it to Estes Park, where she met Nugent and Evans. Bird stayed at the Ranch House, which was owned by Evans.[3] She was one of many who made the trek to Estes Park for the thrill of climbing Longs Peak.

Nugent and Evans were involved in an altercation which resulted in Nugent’s death.[4] After being charged–and eventually acquitted–for Nugent’s death, Evans moved to Lyons and purchased the Miller Road House. He renamed the building the Evans Homestead and converted it into a stagecoach stop and inn. Evans took advantage of the location and turned his new property into a profitable business venture. The property’s access road was the original road used by early pioneers on their way up to St. Vrain Canyon.[5] It was situated perfectly to serve travelers to Estes Park and Allenspark.

During the nineteenth century, there were three types of stagecoach stops. Swing Stations, also known as Living Stations, were situated every ten to fifteen miles along stagecoach lines. Drivers could refresh their horses or cattle and continue on their run. Home Stations were situated every forty to fifty miles along a line and offered more services.[6] There were drivers waiting at these stations ready to take over runs, along with fresh horses. Passengers were able to purchase meals for between $1.00 and $2.50.[7] Travelers were also able to rest for thirty to forty-five minutes before continuing on their bumpy journey.

The last type of stagecoach stop was referred to as a Cattle Station. These stops were like Home Stations but where livestock were kept to refresh teams. These stations were generally between a hundred and a hundred and fifty miles apart.

The Evans Homestead was most likely a so-called Wayside Home for travelers. These inns functioned as stagecoach stations as well as places for travelers to rest after a day on a stagecoach. Stage companies commissioned wayside homeowners to serve as Home Stations on stage routes. Passengers who wanted to rest overnight and catch another stage paid the homeowner between fifty cents and $1.00 for lodging.[8]

In 1884, Evans added on to the property, building a butcher shop and blacksmith shop using local sandstone. His inn was an important addition to the burgeoning town. According to one source, “Stagecoach stations became an oasis for settlers and travelers providing livestock feed, travel necessities, entertainment, nourishment, shelter, and camaraderie.”[9] The 20-acre property remained a stagecoach stop until 1934, when the highway department purchased the rights to the road.

The property and structure was purchased in 1957 by the Beller family. The family worked with Graceland College to turn the historic buildings into a campus for the arts. In February of 1988 an electrical fire destroyed the building. It was eventually restored by the owners. In 1992, the property was purchased and converted to an event space. The name was changed to Planet Bluegrass, and to this day is the location of the RockyGrass Festival and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival.

Sources:
[1]Dunning, Harold Marion, Over Hill and Vale: In the Evening Shadow of Colorado’s Longs Peak, 1956. 211
[2]Dunning, Harold Marion, Over Hill and Vale: In the Evening Shadow of Colorado’s Longs Peak, 1956. 211
[3]Dunning, Harold Marion, Over Hill and Vale: In the Evening Shadow of Colorado’s Longs Peak, 1956. 213
[4]Benedict, Diane Good, Birth of a Quarry Town: 1800s Lyons, Colorado 2002. 39
[5]Benedict, Diane Goode, Birth of a Quarry Town, 1800s Lyons, Colorado
[6]Peterson, Heather King, Colorado Stagecoach Stations, University of Colorado at Denver, 2002. 10
[7]Louise Harrison, “Introduction” TMs, Louise Harrison Collection, Western History Department, Denver Public Library, 1.
[8]Colorado State Directory of Business and Industry, 1956. Loveland: Rocky Mountain Directory Company, 1956
[9]Peterson, Heather King, Colorado Stagecoach Stations, University of Colorado at Denver, 2002. iv-v