Historic Granby Mercantile
Historic Granby Mercantile

History of Granby and Grand County

Granby and Grand County have a long and interesting history and characters, from the days of the Native Americans, to the first white explorers, to the railroads and beyond.

The first seasonal inhabitants were most likely located in the Granby-Grand Lake area between 900 and 1300 AD as determined by excavation conducted in 1948 by the Smithsonian Institution prior to flooding for the Granby Reservoir. To this day, no determination has been made regarding which tribe...

Early pioneers in Middle Park were primarily trappers and European hunting parties led by the likes of Jim Bridger and Kit Carson. The Utes, who’s chief bore the name Colorow, were described as cordial and quite curious in regard to the newcomers. For now, Middle Park was just a stop on a long...

In the summer of 1865, “Judge” Joseph L. Wescott was known to have been living next to Hot Sulphur Springs. Wescott served in the Civil War as a private in Company G, First Colorado Calvary in spite of the fact he was near sighted. It’s not known how he became known as the...

As a result of Williams’ excursions, Swiss engineer Edward L. Berthoud established a wagon road to Middle Park known as Berthoud Pass in 1861. The barely passable road was rebuilt in 1874. Mail service over the pass began in 1875 and in 1876 a regular stage coach run was started by the...

The promise of the railroad was always big news in Grand County, but it wasn’t until the 1900’s that the promise became reality. The main reason for this delay in service wasn’t so much the terrain that had to be negotiated to cross the Continental Divide as it was the lack of a...

The first land filings were made by Tracy T. Tyler where Kremmling is located in 1865. Hilary Harris, John Himebaugh, the Humphrey family, the Green family and the McQueary family also placed claims for a ranch in 1874. In 1875 land along the Troublesome Creek was claimed by Henry King and Barney...