01/15/2025
A story of near disaster, renovation, and success.
This is the 4Bar4 Ranch off of County Rd 5 in Grand County. The photos are from 1910, 2014, and today. Homesteaded in 1895 by Dick and Jessie McQueary, the 320-acre 4 Bar 4 Ranch served as a stagecoach stop on the Georgetown Stage Line, and as a roadhouse for travelers making their way over Berthoud Pass. Here Dick and Jessie also raised cattle, raced horses and raised a family.
In 1905, the railroad came to Middle Park, which virtually put an end to the stagecoach line. The 4 Bar 4 continued to host travelers until 1912-1913 when the ranch was purchased by Fred Fe**ch. With the passion of Colorado entrepreneurs, Fe**ch converted the horse barn to the first Ford dealership in Grand County. The 4 Bar 4 Road (now CR 5) became an integral section of The Midland Trail, America's first Trans-Continental highway.
In 2014 It was named one of the 5 most endangered places by Colorado Preservation, Inc. Historic Fraser Inc raised all the money and is doing all the work on this project and as you can see, it's a huge success. There's more to do and if you're interested in helping contact 4 Bar 4 Ranch
Colorado Then and Now Photographs History Colorado
