History of the Humphreys
The Humphrey Ranch was
first developed by J.J. Clarke in 1878 when over 350 acres of land was given to
him by the state of Colorado. Mr. Clarke was required to "prove up" the land and
live there at least 3 months of the year. Mr.Clarke raised cattle on the land
and built a small cabin that still exists and is the oldest part of the house
museum that you see today.
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Hazel Hammer in 1884
Hazel and Mary Amaryllis
Hammer in 1889 |
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In 1920 Hazel H. Hammer
and Lucius Humphrey bought the ranch from the Clarke family and moved here with
their two year old daughter, Hazel Lou. The Humphrey family continued to occupy
the ranch until the last living family member, Hazel Lou, died in 1995.
The Humphrey Memorial
Park and Museum represents one of the finest examples of ranching life in late
19th and early 20th Century Colorado. The ranch buildings are indicative of Old
West architecture, and they have been given national historic designation.
Hazel H. Hammer was the
daughter of D. Harry Hammer, a wealthy judge from Chicago. Her mother, Mary
Amaryllis Hammer, was a well-known socialite in Chicago and traveled all over
the world collecting art, textiles, china, porcelain, furniture and other
curiosities. Many of those fabulous pieces can be seen in the museum today.
Hazel Hammer was educated at English boarding schools and traveled extensively
with her mother. She finally settled in Colorado, married Lucius Humphrey, a
newspaper man from Denver in 1917.
The Humphrey's had one daughter, Hazel Lou,
who was only two years old when her parents bought the ranch in 1920. Hazel Lou
lived on the ranch until 1995 when she died at 78 years old.
Hazel Lou Humphrey was an
accomplished horsewoman and was very civic minded, participating in many clubs
and organizations during her lifetime. Many Evergreen residents remember that
she was one of the founders of the Jefferson County Historical Society and
helped save what is now the Hiwan Homestead Museum from being torn down for
development.
Hazel Lou envisioned that her ranch and home would someday be a
museum. She left a trust fund and a will that created what is now the Humphrey
Memorial Park and Museum. With your support we will continue to share this
wonderful home and ranch with future generations.
