In the late 1890's, the Texas Board of Regents determined to establish a summer school for the Texas teachers in a cool climate. Over 4,000 people gathered on July 4, 1898 for opening day in the Colorado Chautauqua in Boulder, Colorado (though slept in tents that inaugural season). The next few decades nearly 100 cottages were built to house those Texas teachers looking for some respite in mountain air; and today, about 58 of them are rented to visitors with the remaining privately owned (some dating back in their families to 1920!). All this at the foothills of the Flatirons with some great hiking trails for sure!
Interestingly, the Chautauqua movement swept the country at the turn of the 20th century. Named after Chautauqua Lake in New York, chautauquas were idyllic retreats where "average" folks could spend a summer listening to scholars, attend lectures, concerts and plays, and take courses on the great books of that era. A huge learning environment that anyone could partake in.
So it is a "privilege" and great luck that we were able to rent a summer cottage in Chautauqua when our Airbnb fell through less than 24 hours from our arrival! Further, it's fate that there were
two cottages available for two Tomoff families traveling to Boulder for the Misencik/Wheating wedding this weekend. I could not be more thankful to stay in this beautiful setting with the mountains/Flatirons and all the great trailheads....
right there!
BSoleille! The bright side of history, outdoor adventure, performances and community.
Terri
Photo of Linda Misencik and I on the porch taking in the view and then on a late evening hike.
