Shelly’s Cottages now Riverside Cabins, and the Kinsons
Pat & Henri Kinson, Shelly’s Cottages:
Henri Kinson was well known in the St. Vrain Valley School District. He was instrumental in saving Lyons’ schools from being shut down, and kids bussed to Longmont, when there was a big push in closing down “small town schools.”
Pat Kinson ran Shelly’s Cottages along the St. Vrain River. It was formerly property owned by the Welch pioneer family. It had a delightful island in the middle of the river, where they set some chairs for their guests. In their lobby they had old-time photos of the area from the turn of the 19th century. Initially they came to the lodge as a vacationing family. Eventually, they had their dreams-come-true and bought the place in 1968 and ran it for many years. Henri passed away in 1993, and Pat died in 2020.
Over the past couple of decades, the place became known for its natural isolation (even though it is three miles from Lyons), and its outdoor beauty, and cleanliness. There were private cabins, each with hot tubs, and outdoor sitting space in the forested property, with the river and deer running by, and framed by the nearby mountains. Most rooms were about 30 feet from the river. Their YELP reviews were 5 star, and people returned over and over again for decades.
NEW SHELLY’S COTTAGES
Kim and Troy Chartier, and young daughter, took over the place in 1998, maintaining the respect for the Kinson’s. Their emphasis was on romantic getaways for couples. Unfortunately the Great Flood of 2013 destroyed a lot of their place and financing was hard to come by, and it was no longer a resort.
RIVERSIDE CABINS
In the past couple of years, a new owner Heidi Campbell, took over the cabins, and adjusted the layout of the property due to the flood. The St Vrain River island is gone. It is called Riverside Cabins, 16190 North Saint Vrain Drive, Lyons, View on map Its riverfront has some large boulders and a sandy beach area. Each of the 11 cabins have knotty pine walls and ceilings, are newly remodeled, and have a sandstone sign with a quaint name on it. There is an inviting fire pit, and lots of shady trees. The rooms range from one bedroom to the largest being the Lodge, with three bedrooms. Each cabin has its own kitchen, bathroom and fireplace. The cabins sit on a five acre property, with five gas fireplaces along the river for guest’s enjoyment.
Lyons Chamber of Commerce will be having their April 2023 Networking Social at the cabins, and introducing Lyons’ businesses to their facilities.
