Stapp Lakes

Stapp Lakes is an area of natural beauty and historical significance. Situated amidst picturesque mountainous surroundings, Stapp Lakes offers a serene and scenic environment. The lakes themselves are a highlight, providing opportunities for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The lakes are named after Isaac S. Stapp, who discovered the region in 1893. After the railroad reached Ward, Colorado in 1898, guests had easier access to the resort. Stapp went on to file a homestead claim on {{convert|160|acre||adj=pre|}} and establish the Stapp Lakes Ranch. He was granted a homestead patent to his entry at Stapp's lake in March 1899.{{cite journal|url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=WDM18990317-01.2.7&srpos=2&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22Stapp%27s+Lake%22-------0------|title=Local Briefs|volume=7|issue=15|journal=The Ward Miner|place=Ward, Colorado|date=March 17, 1899|access-date=2023-06-18}}

In April 1899, Stapp undertook the task of introducing 50,000 trout from a Wyoming hatchery into Stapp Lake. Additionally, he constructed a charming mountain retreat that featured a spacious dining room capable of accommodating up to 70 individuals simultaneously. Accessible via the Northwestern road, the resort was located eight miles away and could be conveniently reached by stagecoach.{{cite journal|url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=BDC19000412-01.2.34&srpos=8&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22Stapp%27s+Lake%22-------0------|title=Local News.|volume=10|issue=15|journal=Boulder Daily Camera|place=Boulder, Colorado|date=April 12, 1900|access-date=2023-06-18}}{{cite journal|url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=BDC18990427-01.2.7&srpos=3&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22Stapp%27s+Lake%22-------0------|title=Trout for Boulder Creek.|volume=9|issue=28|journal=Boulder Daily Camera|place=Boulder, Colorado|date=April 27, 1899|access-date=2023-06-18}} The ranch held historical significance as it originally became Colorado's inaugural dude ranch and even hosted notable figures like Teddy Roosevelt and Georgia O'Keeffe were amongst its guests said to have stayed there.{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=awwAAAAAMAAJ&dq=Stapp+lakes+I.S.+Stapp&pg=RA10-PA17|title=The Pacific Reporter|volume=168|issue=|journal=West Publishing Company|date=1918|access-date=2023-06-15}}{{cite web|url=https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A37337|title=Photograph of Stapp Lakes Lodge|work=Boulder Public Library, Carnegie Library|place=Boulder, Colorado|date=1920|access-date=2023-06-17}}

In 1910, in a Colorado Supreme Court case Fuller v. Stapp, was filed that plaintiffs purchased from defendants, Isaac S. Stapp and Mattie Stapp, the Stapp Lakes property. At that time the lakes were stocked with three varieties of trout. The judgement found that no fraud had been committed by the defendants.{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WtsoAQAAMAAJ|title=Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Colorado|page=543|journal=Colorado Supreme Court, W. H. Courtright Publishing Company|volume=63|date=1920 |access-date=2023-06-15}}

Nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers were once drawn to Stapp Lakes for its hiking trails, camping spots, and opportunities to see the beauty of the surrounding wilderness. There is diverse flora and fauna in the region. Beaver Creek Trail passes through the Beaver Creek to the so-called Stapp Lakes Trail. The Stapp Lakes Trail comes onto a four-wheel-drive road connecting Coney Flats with Beaver Reservoir.{{cite book|last=Dannen|first=Kent |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KAtP-gcOoOYC&dq=%22Stapp+Lakes%22&pg=PA232|title=Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park Including Indian Peaks Wilderness|page=|work=Falcon GuidesCompany|date=June 19, 2012 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=9780762786138 |access-date=2023-06-15}}

In 1935, The Rocky Mountain Round Table had one of their regional conferences of social workers at the Stapp Lakes.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-austin-american-rocky-mountain-round/126651534/|title=Public Forum|work=The Austin American |place=Austin, Texas|date=August 29, 1935|access-date=18 June 2023}}

David R. Sellers bought the property in 1996. He sold the 328-acre estate for $22.5 million ({{Inflation|US|22500000|2011|fmt=eq}}) in 2011.{{cite news|url=https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A712?solr_nav%5Bid%5D=b88f5c7dabf80e93afef&solr_nav%5Bpage%5D=0&solr_nav%5Boffset%5D=0&solr_nav%5Bquery%5D=%22Isaac%20S.%20Stapp%22 |title=Stapp Lakes Lodge |work=Boulder Public Library |place=Boulder, Colorado|date=2011|access-date=18 June 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-obituary-for-david-r-s/126650730/|title=Sellers, David R. |work=Arizona Republic |place=Phoenix, Arizona|date=November 6, 2011|access-date=18 June 2023}} The ownership of the property subsequently transferred once again, and a decision was made to remove the hillside that concealed the underground house. The Stapp Lakes are on private property with no public access.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailycamera.com/|title=Underground Home|work=Daily Camera|place=Boulder, Colorado|date=July 4, 1988|access-date=June 8, 2023|archive-date=June 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608233619/http://www.dailycamera.com/|url-status=live}}{{cite journal|url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=MNE19881013-01&e=--1940-----en-20--1--img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22Jerry+Henderson%22+underground-------0------|title=Ashram bring light to retreat|journal=The Mountain-Ear|volume=12|issue=1|place=Nederland, Colorado|date=October 13, 1988|access-date=2023-06-08}}

File:Stapp's Lakes, Ward, Colorado.jpg|Stapp's Lakes, Ward, Colorado

File:Stapp Lakes Lodge.jpg|View of Stapp Lakes Lodge with snow on the ground. Log cabins, two small four-wheeled wagons and a truck visible beneath a ridge

File:Underground House Ward, Colorado.jpg|left|Stapp's Lake next to the Underground House

• List of lakes of Colorado

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Category:Lakes of Colorado

Category:Bodies of water of Boulder County, Colorado