Looking for a trip back in time? Step into our time machine for this week’s #TBT #Boulder

Chautauqua

In 1898, one of Boulder's crowning jewels, Chautauqua, was created. A group of Texans chose Boulder in 1897 as a retreat to escape excessively hot Texas summers. They built one of the nation’s most beautiful vacation spots.One of only three remaining in the country today, Boulder's Chautauqua was completed July 4th, 1898.

[caption id="attachment_2211" align="aligncenter" width="568"] Street car to the Colorado Chautauqua circa 1900's.[/caption]

Chautauquas at the time were well-respected family retreats, focusing on culture, music, nature, family activities and often religion. This Chautauqua was particularly important for the area, because it really began Boulder's parks and open space preservation.

[caption id="attachment_2206" align="aligncenter" width="361"] Chautauquas were training grounds from which women could launch "real" careers[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2210" align="aligncenter" width="554"] Chautauqua was home to Mesa Ski Area for a short time. #ChautauquaMesaSkiArea[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2208" align="aligncenter" width="411"] Chautauqua Auditorium[/caption]

The day after Chautauquas grand opening, the city of Boulder purchased the eastern slope of Flagstaff Mountain from the United States Government. Purchasing land for preservation became one of Boulder's top priorities, and still is today.

[caption id="attachment_2207" align="aligncenter" width="366"] Original cottages[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2209" align="aligncenter" width="570"] The Colorado Chautauqua’s first season, 1898.[/caption]

The Boulder County Open Space program has over 54,000 acres dedicated to Parks and Open Space today.

(Bouldercoloradousa.com)

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