A Rocky Mountain National Park historical cabin abandoned and unkept

Sprague Lake within Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is not as natural as you think. This shallow, 13-arces lake is the remnants of a resort that once stood at its shores.

Rocky Mountain National Park was established in 1915. Before its national park designation, several families lived and owned the land that is now within park boundaries. Remnants of the settlements within the park can still be found.

Cabin in the woods at Sprague LakePhoto byColorado Martini

There were two resorts that were owned by area pioneers Abner and Alberta Sprague. The Sprague family was one of the first to live in the area. The Spragues first opened their Moraine Park Ranch to summer visitors. That ranch became one of the best-known guest ranches in the central Rockies. In 1904 the Spragues sold the Moraine Park homestead to J. D. Stead. Soon after the Spragues developed a smaller resort on what is now Sprague Lake.

The Spragues enlarged the lake by damming the far end in hopes of creating a better fishing lake for his guests. Between 1910 to 1940, Sprague and his wife, Alberta, operated a resort lodge that once stood near today’s parking lot.

Sprague Lake trail near dam.Photo byColorado Martini

Resort guests were treated to boating, hiking, and relaxing along the lake and streams. They even hunted before the area was under the protection of the National Park Service in 1915.

Abner died the day after Christmas in 1943 at the age of 93. Alberta died in 1949 at the age 81. Both are buried in nearby Lakeside Cemetery in Loveland, Colorado.

Abner Sprague with Park RangerPhoto byNPS

Cabin in the Woods

Only one cabin from the Sprague’s resort still stands and it is now abandoned. The cabin has gone under the names: Perry Cabin, Perry Cabin at Sprague’s Lodge, Glacier Greek Livery Residence. It is now called the Perry Cabin.

The Perry Cabin can be found on the north side of the Sprague Lake parking lot. This is not the cabin’s original location. In 1958, the cabin was moved to this spot from an area approximately 300 feet to the southeast of its current location.

The Perry Cabin in need of some TLCPhoto byColorado Martini

The Perry Cabin was built in 1921 and purchased from Abner Sprague by the National Park Service (NPS) in 1932. The Sprague family operated their lodge under contract with the NPS until its closure in 1957.

Have you ever noticed this cabin when visiting Sprague Lake? Let us know in the comments.

When the NPS moved the cabin in 1958, it replaced the wooden pier foundation with cinder blocks. This caused the cabin to sit higher, so a board and batten siding was added to enclose the foundation. A four-step wooden stairway entry was then added. The cabin was painted the usual NPS brown. Which is now faded and peeled off. The cabin became housing which caused more renovations. Otherwise, the cabin retains many of its original features.

In 1967, the NPS recommended the cabin be removed. Claiming it did not have historical or architectural value. Though the park recommended its removal, RMNP continued to use the Perry Cabin as lodging for the wranglers at the nearby Glacier Creek Livery from the 1970s through the 1990s.

During my last visit to RMNP and Sprague Lake, the cabin was abandoned, overgrown, tattered, and in need of some TLC.

Next time you come to see the wonderful Sprague Lake area. Make sure to seek out the Perry Cabin and marvel at this great hidden park gem. The video below will take you on a tour of Perry Cabin site.

Fun Facts

• In the 1930s, Abner Sprague was the first to purchase an entrance permit to Rocky Mountain National
• In 1919, Sprague Lodge guests paid around $6.00 per room with a private bath. In addition, they paid $1.00 for a meal.
• During the Spragues day, the lake was called Trout Lake. The lake is now named for the Sprague’s. And the park’s Alberta falls is named for Mrs. Sprague.

Do you think the cabin should be restored and historically designated? Let us know in the comments.

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References

• Sprague History
• NPS RMNP History
• Old Pictures
• Perry Cabin
• Abner Sprague Grave