A Brief History of Glen Isle Resort in Bailey, Colorado
On July 21, 2017 Glen Isle Resort (check out our new Facebook page) was sold by the Gordon and Barbara Tripp children and bought by Greg and Mary Ruth Vincent. Greg and Mary Ruth found the newspaper clipping “The Last Resort” detailing the history of Glen Isle. Below is the abridged version of the original newspaper article.
Original Publish Date: May 10, 1979 High Timber Times
The Last Resort (abridged)
By: Betty Moynihan
When the Colorado and Southern Railroad wound its way through mountain forests and table lands early in the 1900’s, many summer resorts and vacation hotels sprang up along its route. When the railroad pulled up stakes in 1937, most of these resorts folded. Glen Isle is one of the exceptions. It has been a vacation retreat since 1901 and is still catering to guests.
In 1899, 10 men, donating $5,900 apiece, formed Glen Isle Land Co. with W.E. Alexander as president. They set about building the main hotel and several guest cabins on a grant of land that measured 160 acres. The North Fork of the South Platte River ran through the property, as did the rails of the Colorado and Southern.
At that time the resort was hidden from the road where coaches and wagons traveled toward South Park and Leadville. Visitors arrived by train and walked the short distance from the depot to the main lodge.
The resort was built on an old Indian camping ground. Even in the last two summers, Indian artifacts turned up on the property.
Glen Isle is run even today as a place where families can gather to escape the smog and the scurry of big city life. Some people started coming in 1910 and the fourth generation of these families still return as guests.There are miles of hiking trails, good fishing waters, horseback riding and easy access to nearby ghost towns, cattle ranches, and golf courses. In winter, Glen Isle is an ideal starting point for cross-country skiing. Mostly it is a peaceful back-to nature retreat where harried workers can take time to relax and “get away from it all”.
Come Visit Glen Isle
There are plenty of things to do at Glen Isle and within the surrounding area. Come be part of the historical treasure of Glen Isle Resort, and explore the adventures near and around Bailey, Colorado right off Highway 285.
Jack Liggitt
We have owned a small cabin on Deer Creek since 1984. As such, we visited Glen Isle many times, ate once or twice in the dining room and thoroughly enjoyed just visiting. It seemed that Glen Isle was doomed when Mrs. Tripp passed away and the place started to decline, but a wonderful place has been saved!!
We are looking forward to visiting this summer during our stay at our cabin–here’s wishing the new owners much success in their new endeavor!!
Glen Isle Resort
Thank you so much, Jack! Your encouragement and kindness is very much appreciated as we move forward to bring “her” back to life. We look forward to your visit and sharing stories with us! Bless you for your kindness and reaching out!
Mary Ruth
Judi
Greg and Mary Ruth,
Thank you for your hospitality Saturday when my friend Susan and I stopped by the resort.
We have wonderful memories of staying there 5 years or so and look forward to coming back many more times.
We are very happy that people who love this place as much as we do are giving IT such TLC.
We will be coming up again very soon and wish you much love and peace as you bring this magical gem back to life!
Love and peace,
Judi
Glen Isle Resort
Thank you so much, Judi! We loved getting to meet you both; it is always like being reacquainted with dear friends when we meet others who love Glen Isle like we do. 🙂 We are inspired by your kindness, and we look forward to your return!
Much love and peace to you!
Mary Ruth
Dale W Reisbeck
Just stopped by to check out the goings on at Glen Isle. Have always enjoyed driving by this wonderful resort and we are so happy it is being brought back to life. Owners and contractors are busy making repairs and it will be a thriving place soon.
Thanks for letting us look around.
Dale and Nancy
Glen Isle Resort
Thank you Dale and Nancy for cheering us on! We are working very hard to get the majority of Glen Isle reopened by spring 2019! Progress is happening! We hope you’ll stop by again and see how things are going! 🙂
Joyce Bakker-Jacobi
wonderful that the resort has been saved. I worked there one summer in the store and also took reservations. I was allowed to stay upstairs in one of those beautiful bedrooms. No credit cards were taken, only cash or checks(with a good I.D. The guest without this had to go into Bailey and get money. Mrs.Tripp still made the breakfasts. I was an older employee and had no car as I lived in Europe. On Sundays, the girls and I wanted to hear Western Music, but they were too young to go into a bar, so we sat out in the parking lot and listened. The stars were never so bright at night as they were in the woods. It seemed as if you could touch them. I came back many times to Colorado and my son rented a car and we went on the backroads. Wonderful memories. Much success in your new venture. Joyce
Glen Isle Resort
Thank you so much for sharing your time at Glen Isle! I remember some of the things you mentioned, and I love that you spent time here! I hope that one day when you’re visiting Colorado, you’ll make a trip to Bailey to visit us! Thank you for your kind words, we are so honored to help steward Glen Isle back to life!
captain steve sale, U S Navy m, Retired
I worked at glen isle with Barbara and Gordon in 1970 and again in 1972. I was last saw them in 1977 when I joined the Navy. I’m trying to contact their son and daughter. If you are able to provide them either my contact email or if you can provide me their contact info, I would be appreciative.
Glen Isle Resort
Thanks for reaching out to us, and thank you for your service in the Navy! We hope that when you find your way back to Colorado, you’ll make a trip to see Glen Isle! We would love to meet you! 🙂
Julian
Back in May 1991 I came over to the USA for what was supposed to be an extended holiday. One day I thought Denver looks nice, so I drove there and ended up staying at a recently opened youth hostel. After a week or so I was getting itchy feet again when someone said that a gentleman needed some help at a hotel in the mountains. I met up with Gordon Tripp and subsequently worked at Glen Isle until the end of that season. My duties included everything from taking wood to each of the cabins, feeding the donkey, cooking breakfast, washing up and all-too regularly unblocking the sinks in the cabins that didn’t have waste disposal units! The pay was terrible but I had the time of my life. At the end of the season we all went on a works trip to Royal Gorge and Gordon entrusted me to drive the second truck.
I am so please to see that that Glen Isle has been given another injection of life, and hope to visit as a guest in the future. With any luck I won’t be asked to unblock any sinks.
Glen Isle Resort
What an awesome story! We do hope you’ll come visit! In October, we had a gentleman and his family stay with us from New Zealand that had worked for the Tripps. We are honored and thrilled to get to hosts people who have shared their life journey at Glen Isle! Thank you for sharing your story, and we look forward to meeting you in person!
Ann (Rosch) Duffield
My family—the Rosch family—started coming to Glen Isle every summer from about 1951 to 1956. We lived in Omaha, NE, and my father escaped to Glen Isle to fly fish for trout on the Platte, while my mother entertained four kids, aged 4 to 15, in the first years. I played with Heidi who was a year younger than me. My mom, my husband, our son, my stepson, and I returned in the ‘70s. My husband and I returned and stayed in one of our family’s earliest cabins (right on the Platte and still with an “ice box”) in about 2006. I’m sure we’ll be back again, hopefully with our sons and grandkids in tow.
Daren Reifsneider
I have such wonderful memories of Glen Isle as a kid. I’ve tried to explain the magic of Glen Isle to my friends, but until one visits, it’s hard to understand. I live in Los Angeles now, but am eager to come visit this summer (although it’s hard to imagine Glen Isle without Barbara & Gordon 😢).
Cody Erbacher
My Aunt Barbara Tripp was a wonderful woman I used to go down with my family to visit her. We loved playing in the stream behind the hotel and on the playground also. My family used to visit the point in the forest to visit family that has moved on. After Barbara passed on and the hotel started going, we also stopped going but it looks like its picking up again and I cant wait to come back!
Joan McNabb
I learned tonight that Glen Isle is open. I’m so excited!. I stayed there , as a single mom with four young children , approximately 40 years ago. I am now making plans to return soon to be able to relive many wonderful memories!
Mark and Sandy
Wow…just Wow! We just left our favorite cabin EVER (Rosebank 1) after spending a day spreading the ashes of my son Justin and Sandy’s sister Susie off the walk bridge hovering gently above the North Bank South Platte River. This just brings a more spiritual blend to the already diverse active spirit world at the historic Glen Isle on the Platte. What a superb physical, emotional, spiritual experience filled with natures eye candy and a crew as diverse as the spirits dancing about the property. Mary, Glen and Brenda are just delightful in their each unique, kind ways. We sat beneath the awning on our personal porch late that night basking in a glorious thunderstorm. Their is a special presence their that Greg & Mary are preserving instead of tearing it down to build a pile of condos. This is a 10 STAR stay. Just Wow.
Mark and Sandy
Mark and Sandy
Come on Mark!! *Greg* not Glen. And for the Love of God…*There* & *there*. Still…WOW.
Sonya Winters
My husband and I Vacation in October Of 2020 to catch up with my Sister. We stayed in one of the coziest cabin. It was at a time where it was chilly and we got to use the fireplace that was in the bedroom. The beds were So comfortable. My husband enjoyed waking up early every morning to drink coffee and listen to the river flow by. The bench under the Pine tree was his spot for sure.. The Cabin was fully stocked for our stay..It was Perfect!. We got the tour of the lodge and the story of the old place that was built in the 1800s. We were amazed. MaryRuth and her family were so welcoming. This place was beautiful and will be going back soon. I have made memories with my sister and husband at this resort that I will cherish and never forget. Just beautiful!
Sonya Winters
Steve Gunther
Thank you for maintaining such an iconic Colorado landmark. I Have many fond memories of chuck wagon dinners, and hikes to the point. Playing on the playground and, of course, staying in “Sunny ledge”. My grandparents knew the Tripp’s well, and for many years we enjoyed summers and holidays at Glen Isle. It’s time to go back. Is the old fountain in the dining hall with trout swimming in it, still around?