Beckwith Ranch - Westcliffe, CO
N 38° 11.481 W 105° 31.375
13S E 454208 N 4227175
Quick Description: Located North of Westcliffe, Colorado on Highway 69. The Beckwith Ranch is at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 11/20/2009 3:15:42 PM
Waymark Code: WM7PZZ
Views: 1
Long Description:?The Beckwith Ranch, established in 1874 by brothers Elton and
Edwin Beckwith, was at its peak one of the largest cattle
operations in Colorado. Sons of a wealthy shipbuilder from Mount
Desert Island, Maine, Elton and Edwin brought cattle from Texas in
1869 for the miners in Colorado with Charles Goodnight, one of the
legendary founders of the western cattle industry.
In the 1870's Elton and Edwin began building a ranching empire.
Elton married Elsie Chapin Davis in 1875, and in 1877 their
daughter, Velma, was born. Their Victorian mansion was built during
this time. Elton enjoyed a short political career, serving one term
as a Colorado state senator. In addition to their ranch home, Elton
and Elsie owned a home on Capitol Hill in Denver.
Beckwith died in June of 1907. After Elton's death, Mrs.
Beckwith sold the property in the Wet Mountain Valley and moved to
Denver, where she lived in the Brown Palace Hotel, until purchasing
a home in the city. She lived there until her death in 1931. Elton,
Elsie, and Edwin are all buried in the Ula Cemetery, located a few
miles southwest of the ranch.
The ranch is currently under restoration with the help of the
Colorado Historical Society. There are numerous buildings at the
site.