Perry Park Ranch, Colorado
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Perry Park Ranch is an unincorporated community in southwestern Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The Pike National Forest and Rampart Mountain Range neighbor the ranch to the West.
[edit] Geology
Perry Park Ranch is known for its dramatic array of hogback and "red rock" fountain formations commonly found along the Eastern edge of Colorado's front range mountains.
[edit] History
Originally inhabited by the Ute, Kiowa, Arapaho and Cheyenne Native American tribes, the Perry Park area was primarily empty until the 1858 gold rush in the Pikes Peak area of present day Colorado Springs. After this time ranchers such as Ben Quick and George Ratcliffe began settling in the area.
In 1870 John D. Perry, president of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, visited Colorado and purchased the 4000 acre "Pleasant Park" that would eventually be named Perry Park. Mr. Perry's son, Charles became a permanent resident of the ranch and raised short-horn cattle in the area until his death in 1876. Charles Perry died as a result of being kicked by a horse on the ranch.
In 1888 John Perry, along with a number of other investors created the Red Stone Town, Land and Mining Company which would attempt to turn Pleasant Park into a resort destination. A dam was constructed on Bear Creek creating Lake Wauconda and a large hotel was built Southwest of the lake. One of the investors, Charles Roberts built one of the only homes in the new development along the shores of Lake Wauconda (even though the entire area surrounding the lake was platted for home development). The Roberts home (the Manor House) is now the clubhouse for Perry Park Country Club. Attempts to extend the railroad running through Larkspur directly into the park failed and the resort did not prosper as a result. Land deed problems also contributed to the failure of the resort since many parcels of land could not be legally traced to the supposed owners. The ranch changed hands many times in the early to mid 1900's. The hotel was eventually destroyed by fire.
In 1967, Lee Stubblefield (a retired Air Force officer) purchased the ranch for $2,000,000 and formed the Colorado Western Development Company. Mr. Stubblefield platted the current layout of Perry Park Ranch. The Perry Park Country Club was also developed during this time and opened in 1971.
[edit] Present Day Perry Park
The platted area within the park continues to be developed by outside real estate investors and future residents. As platted lots become improved with roads and utilities (initiated and paid for by lot owners), homes are allowed to be built. The ranch is accessible only by one road (Red Rock Drive) and there are plans to add a second full-time access road to the ranch. The addition of the road is one of the hottest issues facing the ranch with many in favor of the idea as well as in opposition.
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