[Some have asked if Estemere is “haunted.” Let me preface my answer by saying that I do not believe in ghosts: Estemere is not haunted. Some believers have told us that Estemere is a “happy” house.]
Estemere attracts over 200 Trick-or-Treaters every Halloween.
Serteens; the Haunted House.
A Serteen in the Haunted Graveyard; The Halloween Announcement.
More items related to this chapter are on the DVD.
Chapter 15
Estemere for Sale
(2008-2011)
Dan Edwards Interviews Roger Ward
Readers may be curious, as was I, about the decision Estemere’s owners, Kim and Roger Ward, made in the summer of 2008 to put “the Grand Old Lady” up for sale. They had worked 10 years and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars [actually, over two million] to renovate, refurnish, and expand the mansion and had come to know and appreciate every detail of the house. Why had they undertaken such a project in the first place? How easily could they accept the eventuality of leaving such a treasure, a place bearing their personal imprint, and in which they had invested so much of their time, energy, and resources? What were their hopes for Estemere when the property passed into the hands of a new owner? Here is a rough summary (based on my notes, not a recording) of what Roger told me in August of 2010.
Q. Roger, when you were growing up, did you always have an interest in tools or building and repairing things? Has Kim always had an interest in interior decorating?
A. From the age of 12, I lived with my grandparents on a farm in West Texas, where I drove a tractor. In my former houses, I made minor repairs and helped maintain them. We did have a “fixer-upper” in Salt Lake City. Kim had no interest in doing decorating for others, but was interested in designs for her own purposes.
Q. When you bought Estemere, I am sure it needed some work, but it was not a “shack.” You could have made some basic repairs and improvements and had a comfortable place to live in. Did you make a specific decision, and if so when, to completely restore and redo the house and bring in all the furniture you did to make it the Estemere of today?
A. Our original intent was to make the place livable; we had no desire to do major work. Kim stayed at Estemere about one-half the time during the summer of 1998, and during the next year, she got contractors in, had the Shed moved, designed and had the Conservatory built. There was not a lot of furniture here, and some we brought with us fit in nicely. Then we tried to find other pieces that were appropriate to the house. Kim was the driving force at the beginning, and once we started, we couldn’t stop! It just snowballed. We had the money, and we could do it, so we did! Kim was always frugal: our goal was not to spend unlimited funds, but to do things of good quality that would require little upkeep, and not to cut corners.
Q. What work here at Estemere have you and Kim specifically done yourselves? I assume contractors and skilled professionals must have done much of it.
A. I started on the basement and worked on the loft above the two-car garage. We had bids of $50 to $200 thousand to put on a new roof, and we did not accept the most expensive bid. We worked with Tri-Lakes contractors, looked for local companies, and if they were not available or unable to do what we wanted, we got people from Colorado Springs or Denver. A lot of work was done by local people on an hourly basis.
I worked to dig out the basement, sanded and lacquered wood, did some plumbing and painting, helped patch and repair the walks, and was around when all the major work was done. Kim stripped the old wallpaper, chose new patterns, and put up much of the new paper herself. She also did some of the electrical work and worked on the flower beds and the fountains. Plus, she hired and supervised all of the sub-contractors.
Q. Many others would probably ask this question that I too wonder about: You have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and put years of “sweat equity” into Estemere. You have not really “restored” it to the way it was in 1890 when Dr. Thompson owned it. It’s a new creation, and you and Kim have been the creators. Isn’t it difficult now for you to walk away from it? Don’t you have a tremendous emotional investment in Estemere? Why did you decide to sell the house?
A. The six buildings and the six and one-half acres that comprise the Estemere property require a lot of work and attention, and we wanted to do that ourselves. I retired (I thought) 11 years ago, and I now want to retire again! Despite all we have accomplished, Kim always sees things that need to be done at Estemere, to paint this, or clean up that, etc. We want a new place where no maintenance or upkeep is required.
We took over and assumed responsibility for a “foster child” [Estemere] in 1998. Estemere has an almost human-like personality, and every 30 years or so throughout her history, she has fallen onto hard times and needed repairs to survive. Then she plays her siren song and pulls someone in to fix her up, make her happy again, and then casts them aside!
We didn’t raise our children here, so it has not been a “family house”; our children are grown and are not interested in taking it over. For the past six years or so, we have spent four or five months of every year in Hawaii, and we also have gone on several cruises. The entire estate is now completely restored; it is in the best condition it has ever been in. It is time for someone else to come in and take over and enjoy what we have done. Estemere has high standards; it needs to be maintained; the place deserves no less. Even a brand new house requires regular, constant care. Estemere is a vital part of the town of Palmer Lake, almost a living entity.
We built a small modern house [near Larkspur]. I am ready downsize and do something else, as is Kim.
Q. As you look to the future, after you no longer own Estemere, what hopes do you have for its future? As you said, in some ways, Estemere is both like a reborn child that you have nurtured and seen her develop her own beauty and charm; or like an aging person whose health, dignity, and elegance has been restored. If, suddenly, we could flash forward 50 years, how would you like to see Estemere in the year 2060?
A. I believe Estemere would best remain a private residence. It has been completely modernized and can be a comfortable year-round home for a family. In the past, it was not often utilized like that, or those who were here in the winter were confined to a few rooms or the cottage. I would like to see Estemere maintained as we have tried to do and have it opened to the public at times, as we have held tours for the benefit of the Palmer Lake Historical Society. I intend to ask any prospective buyer what plans he has for Estemere, and if the character of the house and property would be radically altered, there would be no deal. Of course any proposed commercial use of the property would have to receive approval of town authorities and hopefully would be supported by the residents of Palmer Lake.
Edge Realty
In 2008, Kim and Roger decided they needed to downsize to a smaller, lower maintenance home. They engaged Joey Edge, at Edge Real Estate, to represent them.
Edge Real Estate had the Estemere listing for two years and was unable to find a buyer. For the next year Michael Maddox, who was renting the Carriage House Loft, attempted to market Estemere, with no success. In desperation, Roger placed a “For Sale by Owner” sign in front of Estemere, which attracted numerous inquiries.
The New Owners
So, after nearly 14 years, Lady Estemere has released Roger and Kim from their task of restoring the Crown Jewel of Palmer Lake to a state of glory far beyond her original grandeur. She should be in great shape for another 30 years—then, age will take its toll, she again will have to play her siren song, and once again she will pull someone in to restore her glory.
Personalities of Estemere (1998-2011)
It seems quite strange: while writing this book and thinking back on the multitude of interesting and famous (and sometimes infamous) people who have been associated with Estemere, it occurred to me that for the last half-century there has not been any really interesting, famous, or infamous personalities at Estemere (at least not that we are aware of)!
> However, Bob Evans, who lives across the street from Estemere with his wife Debbie (the “Bee Lady”), may become famous—in August 2011 he kicked off his campaign for a seat on the U.S. House of Representatives for Colorado on the east lawn of Estemere. Bob’s “top priority will be to introduce a bill that will make two years of post-high school education or training a guaranteed right for every U.S. citizen who can qualify.” Given that the current [2011] unemployment rate for people with a college degree is currently around four percent, while for non-college degreed workers it is around nine percent, Bob’s position bears much merit.
On 07 October 2011, filming began at Estemere for a movie “short subject” directed by Alex Gray, a student at the Colorado Film School in Denver. The movie will be about 20 minutes long. The title is Jack in the Box, based on a 1947 short story by Ray Bradbury (his most famous book is Fahrenheit 451). Alex exhibited his short Derek at the 2011 Palm Springs International ShortFest. Perhaps Alex will become a famous movie director.
Alex Gray, Director; Anastasia Cummings, Assistant Director.
More items related to this chapter are on the DVD.
Appendix I
The “Value” of Estemere
The Original Cost of Estemere & Its Value through the Years
(Palmer Lake: Block 80, 6 acres)
Prepared by Dan Edwards
There are no existing records relating to what it cost WFT to build Estamere. I believe, however the original cost of building and furnishing Estamere in 1887-88 has been wildly overstated. We can look at some data that bears indirectly on the questions, “What was the original cost of Estamere?” and “How has the value of the house and property changed over the years?”
Date Assessed Value[191] Market Value[192] Comments
1884 $ 750[193]
1885 $750
1886 $750
1887 $ 800[194]
1888 $ 1,650 Plus $895 personal property
1889 $ 2,300[195] Plus $675 personal property
1891 $ 2,300 Plus $300 personal property
1892 $ 2,650
1893 $13,000 Asking price by Rollins Investment
1894 $ 3,000
1895 $ 3,000
1895 $10,000 Value recorded in a trust deed
1896 $ 2,250
1897 $ 2,950
1898 $6,000 Asking price by Rollins Investment
1898 $5,000 As purchased by Eben Smith
1899 $ 11,500 Plus $1,500 personal property
1900 $ 9,170
1901 $ 8,100
1902 $ 4,080[196]
1904 $ 4,080
1919 $13,500
1926 $7,500 As purchased by RMSS
1935 $5,000 As purchased by Vessey, et.al.
1964 $40,000 As purchased by Donald Leonard
1969 $17,800
1971 $25,480
1975 $30,283
1987 $66,600 Paid by Jim Peterson at auction
1998 $700,000 As purchased by Roger Ward
2011 $2,700,000[197] As offered for sale by Kim and Roger Ward
Speculation/Guesses regarding the Original Cost of Building Estamere
Cost Source
$40,000 Rollins Investment Co (1893)
$75,000 for house and furnishings Gard (1894)
$75,000 for furnishings & landscaping Sabin, 1942
House: $176,000; furnishings: $146,000 (total: $322,000) Dees in Gazette, 1952
$75,000 for furnishings & landscaping Finefrock in Gazette, 1963
$70,000 for the house McDonough, 1974
$75,000 for furnishings & landscaping Pitts, 1995 (quotes in error 1901 Denver Times)
I am certain WFT’s “fortune” (his total assets, including the amount of money he brought from England when he arrived at the Divide in 1882) were much less than people later imagined. He borrowed money (signed promissory notes) for almost every land transaction he made. Furthermore, by 1887, he already was borrowing large sums of money (through promissory notes with 10% interest rates), either to invest and/or to fund his other activities. WFT did not have $75,000 at hand, and could not have borrowed that amount to build Estamere using the lands he owned as collateral, especially since by 1887 much of his land was already pledged as collateral for money he already had borrowed.
WFT’s cost for the six acres of land on which Estamere was built was negligible. He purchased this land with its surrounding 120 acres in 1883 for only $1,500. The pro-rata cost of Estamere’s six acres thus was only $75.
Substantial two-story wooden houses could be built and furnished in Denver in the late 1880s for from $5,000 to $6,000. Estamere was also built of wood, but was larger than those houses. Large residential houses made of stone could be built and furnished for $7,000 to $8,000. While there may have been additional costs in transporting supplies from Denver to Palmer Lake, local labor may have been available at cheaper rates than in Denver.
The cost of labor was low in 1887. General laborers earned $2.00 a day. Carpenters and skilled craftsman could earn a bit more, but it was common for a house to be built under contact that included materials and labor.
The addition to the Rocklands Hotel was built in 1889 at a cost of $8,000 (one figure) to $12,000. The latter figure may also have included hotel furnishings. This new wing of the hotel probably contained 35 to 40 rooms. Estamere had about 15 rooms, some of course larger and better furnished than the rooms at the Rocklands, but the Rocklands’ wing was at least twice the size of Estamere.
· The Rollins Investment Company which owned Estamere and offered it for sale in 1893, stated that the original cost of the property (including the carriage house and adjoining land) was $40,000. Rollins may have heard WFT mention this figure, as he was a party to some of WFT’s trust deeds as early as 1886. However, WFT may have exaggerated what he spent on Estamere for several reasons (one being to impress others with his money). Or workers and neighbors, amazed at the size of the house going up in their little rural town, may have speculated or gossiped about the great sums of money that WFT must be spending. Hence “local lore” perpetuated the $75,000 figure given by E.C. Gard after WFT’s death, an amount repeated years later by Sabin but just for Estamere’s furnishings.
· Is it not puzzling that a reputable firm like the Rollins Investment Company would offer a $40,000 property (if they believed WFT or local rumors) for only $13,000; then, a few years later, lower that price by more than half?
· It is also instructive to look at the assessed value of Estamere by El Paso County officials. The assessed value of property in those days may not have accurately reflected true market values, and no one from the assessor’s office in Colorado Springs may ever have gone to Estamere to make an on-the-spot assessment. However, the assessor’s office did have accurate information about the costs of new homes built in Colorado Springs and the prices for which land sold in other areas of El Paso County.
· The assessed value of Estamere in 1889, after WFT had completed rebuilding Estamere III, was only $2,300 (with $675 of “personal property”), or a total assessment of the buildings and six acres of land for less than $3,000! The house was never assessed at more than $3,000 during the 1890s.
E. Chapin Gard was the original source (1894) for the statement that Estamere was built and furnished at a cost $75,000. It is true that Gard knew WFT well and had been to Estamere many times, but Gard wrote in a greatly exaggerated style, examples are the booklet he wrote on Palmer Lake and all his subsequent writings. It is doubtful Gard knew the real costs of Estamere.
In 1899, Eben Smith, much richer than WFT had ever been, and surely with the expensive tastes of wealthy men of his era, bought chandeliers and fixtures for all of Estamere for less than $90. A nice pool table was bought, delivered and installed for $432. Household items were not what they cost today. A glass wall-mirror cost $8.25; four pieces of furniture were $100; a bathtub was purchased and installed for $100; multiple household items such as brooms, plates, and such bought at a leading Denver department store (Daniels & Fish
ers) cost $160; the price of four rugs was $8.25. Smith had a large barn (with stalls for 14 horses) built under contract for $1,500.
Bearing all this in mind, if I had to estimate what it cost to build and furnish Estamere, I would put the amount between $10,000 and $13,000 maximum. That still was a substantial price for a large house like Estamere in 1887. WFT signed two promissory notes totaling $13,200 in 1887, and much of that may have been used to pay for the construction of Estamere III.
Appendix II
Legal Documents Relating to Estamere
Prepared by Dan Edwards
Date Document[198], Parties & Description Amount[199] Source[200]
W. Finley Thompson (WFT) Era
1883
02 May 1883 WD, Samuel Hackett to WFT, SW ½ of NW ¼ & W ½ of SW ¼, $1,200 47-239
Sec 5, (area included the future location of Estamere)
27 Nov 1883 WFT plats town of Palmer Lake (Estamere is on Lot 4, Block 50) A-72
1884
02 May 1884 TD, WFT & Colo. Mortgage & Investment Co., lot 4 block 50, 52-6
An 1880s Victorian Mansion in the Colorado Rockies: The Estemere Estate at Palmer Lake Page 28