Identify the Oldest Cabin in Chaffee County

Happy 125th Anniversary Chaffee County Mystery Contest

(Original Front View)

As Chaffee County celebrates its 125th anniversary, we look back on those hardy souls who came to this beautiful valley well over a century ago. First came the trappers, then the miners following gold boom after gold boom, and later silver, then finally other precious metals and ores.

But most of those hardy souls moved on after the boom was over, and it was the men and women who came to this area for the purpose of settling down and building the area into a stable community that we'd like to recognize here... those tenacious folks who chose to set down roots and form the foundation for what, 125 years later, we call Chaffee County.

(Rear view photo taken early 1900's)

Chaffee County is still adorned with countless cabins, shacks, ghost towns and other remnants of days gone by, but some of these buildings have done more than withstand the scourges of time. Pictured here is what we believe to be the oldest fully occupied home in Chaffee County. Long time residents of Chaffee County still call this home year round, but few know its history.

So, in celebration of our 125th countywide anniversary, we decided to test the knowledge of history buffs near and far by presenting a little contest for you:

We're looking for the oldest full-time occupied home in Chaffee County, when it was constructed and where it is located. (We believe it may be the cabin pictured on this page, but you'll need to identify where it is located)

1) Can you identify the exact location of this [pictured] 1868 cabin, now being occupied full time in the valley?
or
2) Can you identify a different home in Chaffee County, legally recorded prior to October of 1868 and that is being occupied full time today as a residence, that would make IT the oldest occupied home in Chaffee County?

We will continue to post new information (more clues) about this home until we stop taking entries on July 31st.

The winner will receive a portable hand-held color TV!


We will post on this same page information submitted by the first person who can provide documented evidence of a home in Chaffee County that was legally recorded prior to October 16, 1868, thus making IT the oldest occupied home in Chaffee County. The building must be at least 50% original and occupied as a residence year round (not a vacation home or rental property, storage garage, but a legitimate residence).

Submit your entry HERE!

Clue #1: The original homesteader of this property was born in Hanover, Germany. He filed a homestead on this on October 18, 1868 and ran cattle and farmed on this property.

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