Holzwarth Historic Site - Mama Cabin

Exterior View of the Mama Cabin

NPS

Quick Facts

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

The Mama Cabin was the first building constructed by the Holzwarths on this site. The cabin was started in 1917 as a primitive structure with one room and a sod roof for John Sr. and Johnnie to brave their first year here. It was gradually transformed to be the working headquarters for Sophia (Mama) and the Holzwarth Trout Lodge.

Beginnings

John Sr. and two friends traveled over this parcel of land in 1917, and alongside the teenaged Johnnie, spent that summer building the Mama Cabin, tent house and woodshed. They also spent time clearing the land for corrals. They spent that following winter together with kerosene lamps and a kitchen wood stove to stay warm.

Mama and their daughters stayed in Denver during the winter. They continued to stay in Denver during winters due to their families and livelihoods being connected with the city.

The Trout Lodge

In 1919, John Sr. was in a wagon accident and crushed his hip, leaving him to use canes for the rest of his life. This event would limit his initial dream of turning the homestead into a horse ranch.

When his friends from Denver repeatedly visited the homestead for hunting and fishing weekends, Mama and Johnnie realized there was profit to be made from the tourist draw of the Colorado River and the Rocky Mountains. The family adapted by turning the property into the Holzwarth Trout Lodge, charging $2 a day and $11 for a week.

Family members would recall that it had always been a dream of Mama to run a lodge.

Fun Facts About the Mama Cabin

• The logs were sourced from lodgepole pines from the surrounding woods.
• Upon initial construction, the cabin only had two rooms.
• The dining room and kitchen were added in 1921, as well as a new roof to replace the original sod.
• The cabin didn’t receive electricity until 1929, and it was from a generator.

The Holzwarth Trout Lodge was a success not only due to the magnificent scenery and abundance of fish but also because of the hospitable character of the homestead and the family. At the forefront of creating this warm environment was Mama Holzwarth.