Past SRA Presidents

HISTORY OF THE S.R.A.
by by David Tavel

The Estes Park Summer Residents Association was formed in 1941 by a group of vacationers interested in horseback riding and outdoor activities, and in meeting others with similar interests. The group also wanted to be of service to summer residents and to the permanent Estes Park community. The initial meeting, at which an organization was formed and officers elected, took place in the local schoolhouse. A total of 68 families joined during the Association's very first year.

Since members were oriented to the outdoors, the "order of the day" was for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor sports. Carrying the green S.R.A. banner, members appeared in the town's rodeo parades. Of great concern were changes taking place that hindered riders and hikers in the valley. Barbed wire fences were being erected across many trails. Barbed wire fences were being erected across many trails. With the permission of local property owners, members built gates where fences impeded trails. The gates were so designed that a rider could open them without dismounting. Then they closed automatically. In all, over thirty gates were installed. Recently deceased charter member Florence Selander summed up the members' purposes:

"Their aim was to develop horse and hiking trails, put up gates on these trails, get acquainted with other horse owners, and back the Estes Park Rodeo Many well-known individuals were among the original members. Former Colorado Governor William E. Sweet was a Charter Member. So was F. H. Cheley, who started local summer camps for boys and girls. Roe Emery, owner of the Stanley Hotel and the Estes Park Chalet, and builder of the first gift shop atop Trail Ridge Road, joined in the first year. Nationally prominent newspaper editor William Allen White took out a two-year membership. In memory of his wife, Roger Knutson, third president of S.R.A. made the first major donation for a local hospital. Perhaps the most famous member was Horatio "Ray" Fitch, who in his earlier years had competed in the 1924 Paris Olympics, where he set a world's record in the 400 meters race. The race was featured in the classic movie "Chariots of Fire." Among the areas from which early members came to spend summers in the valley were New England, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas, California, British Columbia, and of course Colorado.

Badges for members made their appearance in 1942. Barbecues and picnics were the usual organized schedule at that time. The year 1943 saw the first printed directory. Horse shows, barbecues, and dinner dances became increasingly common, with many of the dinners taking place at the Country Club, now the 18-hole golf course building. That year a revision of the constitution stated as objects of the Association, "to promote mutual acquaintance and good fellowship; to promote the improvement of hiking and horseback trails; cultural opportunities for music, art, and drama in the Community; the improvement of the F.O. Stanley Memorial Park, in accordance with the plan approved by the Town of Estes Park; and to cooperate with any civic improvement." At the final party of the 1943 season, artist Dale Nichols presented S.R.A. with the original design for the logo "The Bucking Horse and Rider."

Beginning in the late 1940's breakfasts were held after an early morning horseback ride, often at a place inaccessible by car. Beaver Meadows in the national park was a frequent site. Occasionally breakfast was catered by a chuckwagon, but usually, especially in the earlier years, members had total responsibility. Fires were lighted by the riders and those who hiked to the designated spot. A solid iron grille was used for heating coffee and cooking. Meals were ready around 10:00. Over half the members regularly rode horses to breakfasts and around the valley. "S.R.A.ers" were outdoor folk! Even the evening meetings were as likely to be outside as in, unless the schedule called for a square dance. Occasionally members brought their own food to cook over the campfire. The Association bought tin forks, knives, cups, a large enamel coffee pot, and the iron grille. The first purchased stoves were World War Two army surplus, had tall chimneys, and were wood fueled. The breakfast menu that was established has continued to the present day.

Many members, like Estes Park residents, kept horses in their back yard, and there were liveries on Elkhorn Avenue. It became the practice to have an annual meeting at which there was a horse show followed by a chuckwagon supper at the rodeo grounds. Many families had young and teen-age children, and the latter not only were given a prominent place in the activities, but provided their own programs. The Association repaired trails, developed maps, placed signs throughout the village directing people to trails, and formed groups to study birds, trees, and flowers. In the 1950s S.R.A. sponsored a concert series, bringing singers from the Central City Opera. In 1955 we began donating books to the library in memory of deceased members. Also benefiting from S.R.A. were organizations such as area volunteer fire departments and the Rocky Ridge Music Center.

Weekly evening dinners came to be catered at the high school with its stage for programs. Men wore suits, women full skirts. In the mid-70s outings began to dinner theatres. Opera lovers took a rented bus to performances in Central City. Once a year S.R.A. had a golf tournament. Speaking in 1981 at the fortieth anniversary celebration, member Bill Ferguson said, "Today probably not one of the 32 gates erected along the horse trails in those early days still stands; few members own horses any more. The passing of forty years changes life styles, but S.R.A. has continued to play an ever increasing and important part in the civic and cultural needs of Estes Park and surrounding communities."

Increasingly a people on wheels, Americans, including S.R.A.ers, came and went more often. Children went their own ways, their programs becoming a thing of the past. The membership changed more frequently. Outdoor breakfasts continued, but no one arrived on horseback. Western wear at meals all but disappeared; suits and dresses at dinner gave way to sport coats and slacks. Luncheons replaced some dinners. Through these somewhat superficial changes, however, the logo of the bucking horse and rider, the leather name badge, and the Round-Up remain to reflect the permanence of S.R.A.