Hideaway Park was a village
that began in 1932 and quickly developed into the fourth town in the valley. It
was started, developed and built by L O ( Doc ) Graves, merchant in the valley
since 1922. Doc eventually built 26 tourist cabins and a multi-faceted cafe and
service station operation called " Docs'Place". It might have been
called the 7-Eleven of its' day.
Doc also installed a water wheel on the Vasquez Creek and generated all
of the electricity necessary to operate his business. Lying midway between West
Portal and Fraser, Hideaway had a rapid growth considering that the entire
country was in the depth of a serious depression at that time. The construction
of the Moffat Water Tunnel being placed parallel to the railroad tunnel, had a
positive effect on the local economy.
During a stretch of two years the village added 3 more businesses and
nearly doubled its' population. Max Kortz, of the well known Kortz jewelry
family of Denver, put in a saloon. The business was an expanded offering
including meals, some jewelry, over-the-counter drugs and curios. H L McPeters
added a fine all service garage and Ray Fox started his Nite Club business.
Hideaway Park has disappeared and been replaced by the popular town of
Winter Park and its' ski and winter sport complex. The new recreational venue
offers one of the better facilities in the country and is growing in leaps and
bounds. At present there is a magnificent, multi-million dollar development
under way at the foot of Winter Parks' ski slopes. With skiing probably
Colorado's most important tourist attraction the outlook for the future of the
area seems very optimistic.
Businesses
L.O.( Doc )Graves |
Originator and Developer of Hideaway Park |
Max Kortz |
Drug Store/Tavern/and Cafe owner. |
H.L. MacPeters |
Garage owner. |
Ray Fox |
Night Club Owner |
.
Ranches
Jim Quinn, |
Dad Garret, |
Ranch and Fish Hatchery, |
William Cozens. |
People & Families
Ralph Waugh Family, |
MacPeters (Mary and Son Jimmy Mahoney, ) |
Charlie Sunberg, |
William Wilhite and Family. |