Lutheran Valley Ranch and Retreat 50th Anniversary History
Fifty years of information. Where to start, what to include, and what to leave out. In looking through old scrapbooks, boxes of pictures, papers, notes and talking to some of the original members, I have tried to make the history of LVR accurate and true. In doing so, I know that I have left out many events and can not even begin to name everyone who has been a part of the first 50 years at LVR. Like many things, everyone has a different memory of the same event. In doing so, I have borrowed words from other people, trusted the information given to me is correct and hope that I will “jog” a few of the memories you have forgotten over time.
The beginnings of LVR
The land on which LVR is situated had several different owners in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, but where we begin our story is with its purchase by Robert Ellison. Mr. Ellison purchased land in different pieces during the 1930’s and 1940’s. By 1944 he owned all of what is now LVR. He died the very next year and his wife, Vida, inherited his estate. Mrs. Ellison held this property from the time of Mr. Ellison’s death until
1959, at which time she decided that she wanted to put it up for sale.
At the same time, the men’s club at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs had a Christmas tree lot and wanted to find some mountain property to grow Christmas trees. Mr. Chet Harvey, who was in real estate, made it known to Mr. Harold Glaeser that he knew of some property for sale. He described it as an 880 acre homestead located amidst Pike National Forest belonging to a Mrs. Ellison. In February 1959, Harold Glaeser, Captain Art Oesterman, Chuck Hemingway, and Chet Harvey took a look at the land. Well, no one in their right mind would pass this up.
As is the case in many circumstances, the money to purchase the land was a stumbling block. The idea to sell or rent tracts of land to other Missouri Synod churches in Colorado Springs and Denver might help in the purchase of the land. As discussions between the men of Redeemer went on, the idea of land for Christmas trees grew into a new idea. “Why not use the land to make a retreat where Lutheran young people (Walther Leaguers at that time) could learn about and worship God in the outdoors? They all realized that an outdoor setting was an excellent place where people could spend distraction-free time with God and where Christian families could grow closer together as they camped outdoors. Since there was no Lutheran retreat like this in the Pikes Peak area, they made a decision to buy the property.”
With the faith to go forward, even though the money to purchase the land wasn’t there, a group of men from Redeemer and Immanuel Lutheran Churches met with Mrs. Ellison. The asking price was $70,000.00. Hank Hoder, owner of the Wildhorn Ranch and local bootlegger, had offered Mrs. Ellison $75/acre. “However, when she heard that these families wanted to turn the property into a Lutheran youth camp, she liked the idea so much that she agreed to sell it to them …for only $30,800.00 or $35/acre. On November 20, 1959 the land was purchased, and the papers were signed. You will find the signatures of Mrs. Vida Ellison, Mr. Harold Glaeser, Mr. Herb Steltzer, Mr. Harry Zimbrick and Mr. Adolph Zoellner on that paper.
Of course, there are always legal matters to contend with. Ellison Ranch needed to officially became Lutheran Valley Ranch. Attorney Paul Gerdes worked to have LVR become a “not for profit” organization. In December 1959 the Articles of Incorporation were written and signed. It was a done deal! The ministry of Lutheran Valley Ranch had begun.
In the early days of LVR there were no roads; only a jeep trail. There was no access through the Wildhorn. The only way to get into LVR was Cedar Mountain Road. The 880 acres were “remote” at best with only an old stage coach building and horse corral still standing. But these rough conditions didn’t stop families from coming up and enjoying a place to camp, rest, and relax. It was these same families who understood what it meant to be committed to the work of Lutheran Valley Ranch. So, they just kept on a comin’!
Improvements were made —sometimes slowly!
Discovering ways to do more for less may have been invented by the early volunteers at LVR.” Erv Stressman and Elder Thaete from Colorado Springs began surveying the 640 acres to be divided into 5 acre lots. The north 240 Acres were to be used as the youth camp. Lots were opened in sections with the first 17 opened in 1962 and continued until the final lots were opened in 1966. Roads were developed and named. Lakes and springs were developed. The two dams were made by Tom Pinello and a host of volunteers in May of 1966. The years to follow had many events taking place. Here are just a handful of highlights:
- 1960 – 1st week long summer camp was held
- 1962 – 1st youth camp held at Retreat area:
- had to use jeep trial from Cedar Mt. Road to get there
- Bathroom facilities –Outhouses- Adam and Eve
- No electricity, no running water, no phone, no buildings as such
- DID HAVE: wooden platforms for Army tents (hot and stuffy, packed with campers)
- Cooking shack
- Water supply system consisting of water pumped from the well and carried in buckets
- Volunteer staff only:
- Names recorded as camp directors: Harry Zimbrick, Harold Glaeser, Chuck Muhlenbruck, Ken Schleuter, Deanna Hollrah, Jay Cornils, Ed Geisler, Don Deiter
- 1964 – Assessment $15.00
- 1965 – Completion of dining hall
- 1966 – How many of you remember the cement water tank on top of the hill above the chapel? Thanks to Hugo Uhlig and his engineering skills, running water was now in the dining hall, original shower house, and the campground.
- 1967 – Sept 17th, 1967 Reorganization of Lutheran Valley Ranch due to the IRS: Bylaws revised: Lutheran Valley Ranch, Inc. became a self supporting corporation and Lutheran Valley Retreat, Inc. became a tax exempt corporation
- 1970’s – number of campers increases, buildings include cabins, fire ring
- Campground – picnic tables, two covered picnic pavilions put up by Mr. Ray Niesen that used to be at and A&W ROOT BEER in Denver
- 1st executive director hired –Wes Visser;
- assessments go from $20 to $25
- Glaeser Lodge Built
- 1980’s and 1990’s – many volunteers continue to give time and talents to keep the youth camp running.
- At the Ranch – 1970’s, 1980’s 1990’s
- Improvements on lots,
- people enjoying fishing at Bear and Deer Lakes,
- 1997 Ranch House completed
- Friends of LVR Dinners were held
- assessments raised from $85 -$100.
Then we speed ahead to June 8, 2002 4p.m. MDT.
WHAT? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING! NO WAY! This was one of those “where were you when you heard about the fire” experiences. Totally Unbelievable – The largest fire in Colorado history! And LVR is in the middle of it all! Talk about a HUGE rollercoaster ride that lasted more than a month. Questions, questions and more questions about what was happening. The anticipation of waiting for the Forest Service to give the “OK” to get back up there was unbearable. Finally, after containment of the fire on July 18th, we were given the “OK”. The initial shock was AWFUL! For a few of us, it was a sigh of relief and a prayer of thanksgiving. But for many more, it was a sigh of heart break and grief, and a prayer for strength, understanding, and forgiveness. Black soot and burnt trees were everywhere, no ground cover, no chipmunks, no birds– just total devastation. Nothing like the beauty the first members experienced 50 years earlier. Nothing like the beauty we had been so familiar with and had taken for granted. Nothing like the beauty we had just experienced the day before the fire started. Would we ever recover from this awful event? Yes, we were able to move forward because of the same Christian faith and trust in our Living God that the families felt in 1959. Decisions by the Ranch board were made; decisions by individual members were made, and decisions by the Retreat board were made. Decisions – not always agreed upon or popular. But decisions based on Romans 8:28 –“And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Time healed the forest and time healed the hearts of all of us. We saw renewal in our purpose, renewal of God’s nature, and renewal of the work of the Lord.
Today (2009)
So now, here we are today celebrating 50 years of Lutheran Valley Ranch and Retreat. We have seen the wonder of God’s hand from the generosity of Mrs. Ellison in 1959 , to the many campers that have experienced the Gospel of Jesus, to the pine trees sprouting all around us, to the fellowship we have today in 2009. I have my own special memories –the yellow tent on top of the hill camping with my family, camp-robber birds stealing bacon off our campfire, Mr. Fittje planting potatoes on the hill where the Ranch House stands today, the snow falling on hamburgers being grilled at one of the first family gatherings in early Ma7 of 1960 something going to camp, building our family cabin, putting in running water, and continuing to share LVR with my family and friends.
What memories do you have? More importantly, what memories would you LIKE to have? Where will we go from here? Right now, today, is our time to dream, design, shape and frame the next 50+ years for those who want to continue to follow in the first foot steps made at LVR in 1959.
Do you still share that vision of a place where children and adults can hear and grow in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a place where Lutherans can take time to retreat and relax with other Lutherans? Is today the day each one of us renews our commitment to the work of Lutheran Valley Ranch? Is today the day each one of us renews our commitment to making the Ranch a community of friends who care about each other? Is today the day each one of use renews our commitment and stewardship to the work of the Retreat? Is today the day each one of us continues to have the best memories ever?
LVR has come a long way from being just a Christmas tree lot. LVR has been a part of so many people’s lives and continues to be so. LVR has touched people that we know and those we don’t know in ways that we can’t even begin to imagine. With humble hearts and gracious attitudes, we can all look to the future knowing God’s hand will guide and lead us in all that we do the next 50+ years.
Our God is an Awesome God! To Him be the glory!
Kris Koops