Homesteads

I have been driving a stretch of Tarryall Road (County Road 77) in Park County for a few years now. From the town of Jefferson, the winding, wind-swept road eventually takes you to Tarryall Reservoir and then on to Lake George. Traffic is light, ranches dot the landscape and along the way there are homesteads dating back to Colorado’s early days.

The area is part of the Tarryall Rural Historic District. Originally, this was a wagon road that carried miners, farmers and settlers through the area around 1860. Gold was found in the area, the soil is rich, and the Tarryall Creek provides plenty of water, so many people decided to stake their claim.

But, as nearby railroads died off and the gold rush ended, life in this rural, harsh climate proved to be challenging.

Today, many of these homes are in shambles — beaten down by the wind and strong sun of South Park. There’s no address, utilities, glass or doors — they’re a shell standing the test of time.

I am drawn to these homesteads for several reasons. They are fascinating to photograph with their weathered exteriors, but its also a living memorial to Colorado's pioneering history. Local historians believe many of these homes have changed very little since they were built (outside of aging), allowing visitors to drive through this time capsule in the mountains.