It has been over 20 years since I first began my work of compiling information on the history of Pearl Lake State Park. (I lived in Denver at the time and had a nurse leadership job with flexible hours.) I visited Pearl Lake regularly, which stirred up my passion for the history. I interviewed people who knew grandma, talked to museum curators, read books, and researched what I could online (remember dial-up?).
When I moved back to the Western Slope, my time evaporated and the drive to Pearl grew longer. Work on my history research ground to a halt for almost 2 decades.
This year, I feel revitalized. I am starting the Pearl Lake Gift Shop as part of my Etsy shop. It is in working on art souvenirs inspired by Pearl Lake and Hahns Peak that I began looking through photos, again.
I just revised my write-up of the history. The sections are listed below in order. I apologize that my MLA referencing skills are out-of-date. I am better at APA but not ready to re-reference everything. I will include as many hyperlinks to references as possible.
Buckle-up and enjoy your journey back to a time over 100 years ago!
If you prefer an abridged version of the complete story – please visit this page: Pearl Lake State Park History: Abridged Version Of The Legacy and Story
Introduction: the History of Pearl Lake State Park in Routt County
Exploring the History of Pearl Lake State Park: A Journey Back in Time: Chapter Index
- 1. Introduction: the History of Pearl Lake State Park in Routt County
- 2. The Beginning of the Legacy: Go West, John Kelly Hartt
- 3. The Beginning History of Cow Creek and Pioneer Sheep Companies in Wyoming
- 4. Colorado Cattlemen vs. Cow Creek Sheep: The 1903 Stampede
- 5. A Bride From New Brunswick: John Kelly Hartt Marries M. Pearl Hartt
- 6. Sir, They Shot Wilkes Last Night: Life in the Wild West
- 7. Taking the Rap: The Minister’s Son Escapes to Mexico
- 8. The 1910s Tax Dispute: Wyoming Sheep vs. Colorado Cattlemen
- 9. Hartt Family and Sheep Companies at Hahn’s Peak: A Historic Legacy
- 10. Sheep On God’s Mountain: Grassroots Issues
- 11. Hartt’s Business Ventures Expansion in Rawlins | Sheep Business Development
- 12. Family Feuds and Financial Controversies: The Legacy of J.K. Hartt’s Estate in Wyoming
- 13. Pearl Hartt: An Ending Tribute to the Legacy of Pearl Lake’s Namesake
All content in the Exploring the History of Pearl Lake State Park: A Journey Back in Time, including all subsections, are written by Cathy Hartt, granddaughter of Pearl and John Kelly Hartt. Original article written in 2001 with revisions through 2024. Please request written permission for reprints by emailing the author.
Pearl Lake State Park History 