One of Colorado’s Most Endangered Places: 4 Bar 4 Ranch

Colorado's Endangered Places Program was established in 1997, and since then, many significant and historical sites throughout the state have been saved from neglect and/or demolition.

One of the preserved properties on the list is the former 4 Bar 4 Ranch in Tabernash, Colorado.

This 320-acre site dates back to 1895 and was homesteaded by Dick McQueary.

In 1895, McQueary constructed a roadhouse and stage stop on the ranch to provide a place for travelers to stay. It was a convenient stop for passengers on the Georgetown Stage Line. Both the hotel and barn were built from trees found on the ranch's property.

When the Stage Line ended its service, fewer and fewer travelers were making their way to the ranch. However, the hotel remained open until 1913 to host people still coming over Berthoud Pass by horseback and wagon.

After that, the property was purchased and converted into a Ford Motor Company. Vehicles were sold on-site in the remote area of Colorado until 1917.

Harry Larkin was the next to own the ranch. He converted the land back into use as a cattle ranch. It remained as a working ranch until the late 1980s. Since the closure of the cattle ranch, the long-standing buildings have sat vacant.

Unfortunately, Colorado's harsh winter weather has degraded both the roadhouse and barn over the years, but they are still intact.

Facing demolition due to neglect in 2014, the Stagecoach Meadows Homeowners Association and Historic Fraser, Inc. worked with Colorado Preservation, Inc. to get awarded a grant from the State Historical Fund to complete a Historic Structures Assessment of the buildings.

In 2016, Historic Fraser, Inc. took ownership of the buildings. In 2018, a $200,000 State Historical Fund grant was awarded for the restoration of the Ford Barn on the property which has since been completed. The buildings are great examples of Pioneer log construction.

A sign has been posted in front of the structures denoting their importance.

In addition to being listed as one of Colorado's Most Endangered Places, a National Register nomination has also been completed. Additional funds have been secured to restore the Stagecoach Hotel.

You can find this historic site by taking County Road 5 just past Fraser.