When I first moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1976, people would give directions, like “you know, it’s by the old Pickle Factory”, or it’s “a little past the Ever Open “. Naturally, the next question from me would be, “OK, so where’s the old Pickle Factory?” !!! Sometimes we hear that “The road is closed at ‘Ted’s Place’. (Unlike the “old Pickle Factory”, Ted’s Place is actually on the map).
Ted’s Place, for those that don’t know, is at the corner of U.S. Hwy 287 and Colorado St. Hwy 14. Turn west there and take Hwy 14 through the beautiful Poudre River Canyon, over Cameron Pass to Walden or continue to places North on Hwy 287, like the Red Feather Lakes turn-off or Laramie, WY.
“So who’s Ted?”
Edward "Ted" Herring and his brother Cam built the original gas station, at that corner of Hwy 287 and Colorado 14. “The Poudre Canyon Filling Station” opened in May 1922. Ted and his wife, Nellie operated the gas station and later, the added restaurant, at that intersection for 40 years. People could stop in and ask Ted about the fishing on the Poudre, have lunch and pick up needed picnic/fishing supplies for a day on the river. Soon, everyone was calling it Ted’s Place, and T- E- D- S was proudly displayed in big bold letters on the front of the building.
Ted served 6 two-year terms in the Colorado State House of Representatives starting in 1938. Later, he served in the Colorado State Senate until January 1955. He was born in 1892 in LaPorte, the same town where Ted’s Place is located, was a World War I Veteran, and passed away in 1963.
After Ted’s passing, the corner store was operated by several different owners until October 1989, when Conoco razed the old building in spite of great local opposition; another filling station/convenience store was built in its place.
In summer you can often see busses with large rafts stacked on top parked at Ted's and adventurous whitewater Poudre River rafters visiting the convenience store.
So now you know where Ted’ Place is and a little about Ted, too!
Hwy 287, from Ted’s Place to the Wyoming border, is sometimes closed due to high winds and/or poor visibility. When “the road is closed at Ted’s Place”, the gate goes down and semi-trucks line the side of the road and wait.
Sometimes, Highway Department personnel will let you go through to get home (depending on where home is) just pull up to the gate and ask!
The road is not closed very often, and certainly not closed today- it's a gorgeous day to take a drive up to beautiful Livermore and Red Feather Lakes!
Mary Douglas, your Mountain Broker-Associate and REALTOR®
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, CO
www.marydouglas-redfeatherlakes.net
970-231-5756 phone or text- email: mary@redfeatherlakes.com
I specialize in the Red Feather Lakes and Livermore area, Fox Acres, Crystal Lakes and Glacier View Meadows Subdivisions, if you are interested in buying or selling your mountain home, please give me a call, I’m here to help you.
The information contained in Mary’s blog is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and the opinions and views expressed in these articles are solely those of the author.
I write about my area in Colorado; Law, Custom & Procedure vary from State to State and even within the State.
REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL. Always consult with your LOCAL Real Estate Professional.
Comments(13)