I’ve posted about Castlewood Canyon before and you can read all about it here. Every time I go back there I find something new. This time I found the Lucas Homestead, perhaps one of the greatest Real Estate deals of the early 20th century. Read on for details.
*** The Hike ***
You can park in the Homestead parking lot after entering Castlewood Canyon State Park from the North Entrance near Franktown (not the Main Entrance off Highway 83). The short Homestead Trail connects to the Creek Bottom Trail which will take you all the way upstream to The Dam, about 3 miles. There you can cross over the trickle of Cherry Creek and return 3 miles along the other side on the Rim Rock Trail. It’s about a 2 hour hike overall. Even on a winter’s day like yesterday (Dec 18th) it can be warm and sunny with highs in the upper 50’s. Still, in the shady spots the trail stays icy, so Yak Trax or Micro Spikes or any appropriate footwear is highly recommended.
Micro Spikes
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With the help of Shaun Boyd at the Douglas County Library I have researched a few of the old Land Grants in the area. I was curious because I pass these tumble down ruins regularly on the walks I take around our Roxborough place.
There is an abandoned log house (and outbuilding that looks like it housed livestock) nearby where I live. It’s at the junction of the Elk Valley Trail with Iron Bark Drive in Roxborough State Park. My search for a name or historical info on this site so far remains fruitless. Can you assist? Photos attached.
Thanks!
*** Reply ***
I think, according to the census records at http://glorecords.blm.gov that is the homestead of Melvin (Mel) Head. The certificate was issued August 12, 1915.
I don’t have much on Mr. Head, but if you want to come down to the library in Castle Rock, we can look.
— Shaun
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Of course what remains of the Lucas Homestead in Castlewood Canyon is much more complete than what remains of the old Head place in Roxborough. That is most likely because the Lucas family chose poured concrete (very unusual for the time – somewhere between 1894 and 1901) over wood for their primary construction material.
When it comes to Real Estate you really do get
what you pay for.