This Week in Estes Park

Estes Park, Colorado has a fascinating history. The Estes family, first pioneer settlers; Lord Dunraven and Isabella Bird; Griff Evans and "Rocky Mountain Jim;" naturalist Enos Mills; Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Trail Ridge Road; the Cheley camps and YMCA of the Rockies; F.O. Stanley and his hotel; Buel Porter and his Christmas designs; and a myriad of others have made Estes Park what it is.

Mel Busch takes you through this history in short stories focusing on the people and events of Estes Park through the year. Originally published by the Estes Park Trail-Gazette as articles entitled "This Week in History," these stories range from Estes Park's connection to world crises to the tragedies, comedies, accomplishments, and foibles of ordinary residents. Utilizing accounts in the Trail-Gazette, memoirs of participants, and other sources, Busch brings Estes Park history to life--one week at a time.

Mel Busch published "This Week in History" in the Estes Park Trail-Gazette from 1982-1984, while serving as Director of the Estes Park Area Historical Museum from 1978 until his retirement in 1991. Born in Wichita, Kansas, Busch served in the U.S. Air Force before moving to Colorado, where he met his wife Maxine, in the early 1960s. After a decade-and-a-half working as an instrumentation technician for the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Busch obtained a degree in Western History from Loretto Heights University. Within a few years, he had begun at the Estes Park Museum. While there, he worked to expand and professionalize the museum, and was instrumental in getting the MacDonald Cabin and the first Rocky Mountain National Park headquarters building moved to the Museum grounds. He passed away in 1999 due to complications from Alzheimer's Disease.

Andrew E. Busch is Crown Professor of Government and George R. Roberts Fellow at Claremont McKenna College.

Melinda K. Busch is a teacher, tutor, free-lance author, and mother of three.