Hartsel Ranch
Samuel Hartsel traveled to Colorado during the gold rush, excited for an opportunity to get rich. Like many gold seekers, his scheme failed, so Hartsel turned to cattle ranching, eventually succeeding in becoming the “Cattle King of South Park."[1] The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed Hartsel to claim 160 acres of land with no dispute in the South Park area, and he continued buying more as the years went on.
He became a renowned rancher in part due to the quality of his cattle, as well as good business investments on his land. Hartsel journeyed to Missouri in the early 1860s, where he acquired Short Horn bulls and brought them back to his land in South Park. This was a dangerous endeavor but earned him good fortune due to the high quality meat from these thoroughbreds.[2] Hartsel’s ranch included the fortunate addition of hot springs, which were a popular tourist destination. As Hartsel continued to expand his acreage, he eventually established the town, Hartsel.
In addition to a hotel, the town included a blacksmith shop, trading post, sawmill, general store, a post office (for which Hartsel was postmaster), and bathhouses connected to the hot springs.[3] The town served as the most important station on the Colorado Midland railroad due to its prominence as a livestock and hay transport depot.[4]
Hartsel’s good fortune continued until he sold off his land to the South Park Land & Live Stock company and moved to Denver around 1908.[5] A small community still exists in Hartsel today, with the hot springs and nearby scenery inviting visitors to the area.
