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I occasionally receive interesting emails concerning Estemere, so I thought I'd share some of them (with the sender's permission, of course)!

The last time I visited Palmer Lake, in the late 1980's, the house was owned by the Folmers and was completely private, no tours.  I would love to hear
more about the house, and if you have any pictures, inside and out, on your computer, I would love to see them.  Have any of the fountains and gazebos
been restored?  The fountains were in pretty bad shape when I lived there, but still working, somewhat.

If you could please write to me in the future at my home email, it is
res0i559@verizon.net

Thank you,

Jennie Bainter
Sherwood, Oregon
503-624-3591


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Ward, 

First, let me thank you for your informative Website on Estemere and for being caretakers of Estemere. 

As a child I always spent my summers in Palmer Lake--July and August--with my maternal grandparents, Charles and Fannie Early, at their cabin.  Their full-time home was Arkansas City, Cowley, KS, and I live in their 1925 Tudor house now.  But, I grew up in Tulsa with my parents, Howard John and Katherine Early Pixley.  As is frequently the case, the summer residence was the place we enjoyed the most.
 
Our cabin ("Glenvue") is catty-cornered from the Electric Light House, #11 on one map, and the 13 lots extend to three streets.  The cabin sits quite far back on the lots.  Granddad bought 16 lots originally in 1919 when my mother was 3.  He sold 3 lots later to the City for the Pinecrest road.  Right away he built a "garlow" for later using as a garage.

In 1922 he contracted with Mr. Phillips, Bob Romack's grandfather, to build a 3-room cabin, those now being 3 rooms of 6.  Cabins in those days seem to everyone as shacks now.  I well know.  But, anyone rich enough to have a cabin regarded it highly.

It was I who got my family acquainted with the townspeople, the cabin being situated with their residences rather than those in the Glen or
Pinecrest, and I was always a little bored and rode my bike around being sociable w/ the natives and business folk.  Estemere was always back in my mind as it sits where it is largely unnoticed.  However, Estemere would come to my attention when we passed it to walk up to the reservoirs and Ice Cave.  I was curious about it and know I asked many questions but got few answers and the place wasn't often brought up in conversation.  I never was aware that anyone lived in it at all during my childhood and am very surprised at the Krueger/Dees connection.  I knew the Kruegers, especially Andy and Wanda, who (Wanda) was at the cabin visiting my sister, Charlotte, at least once. Ronnie is closest to my age.  I was born 15 Aug. 1941 and I spent my first birthday at the Cabin.

During the years mentioned earlier, I had one very close friend with whom I would pass the evenings, some of which were filled with brainstorming for something to do.  I recall one late evening when Palmer Lake was completely dead and we were just walking around.  We were passing Estemere when it became the focus or our interest.  We explored the grounds a bit and came upon the back door which was ajar, no light anywhere around or in the house.  Of course we peeked into a kitchen that was as near a Victorian nightmare as one could imagine and slowly entered one foot in front of the other.  It was like a magnet, we had no intention of hurting anything.

I am the type who visits an old mansion and, then, "lives" in it for a few days, going over the floor plan in my mind.  It was that way with Estemere, even with Mesa Verde.  Of course, I now have forgotten much about the tour.  I don't recall what we had for light, perhaps just cigarette lighters.  But, we did do the whole tour and I shall try to get down my memories for you.

The kitchen is the only room I recall having even one stick of furniture and that was just cabinets since Victorian cabinets were not built in.  I recall that we visited the basement which I remember as dirt, but I am not sure it was much higher than a crawl space.  The next thing I recall was probably the fireplace that is pictured.  I was quite impressed with some tile.  I figured we were in the dining room.  I seemed to know that we were later in a billiard room which must have been correct, but I didn't understand the use of some of those N. E. rooms, and I am not sure I recall a bathroom in that wing though I kind of think I may have seen one.
When we went to the second floor there was one thing that definitely caught my attention!  In those days, in CO, one would encounter toilets with the W. C. up
near a 12' ceiling, such as at the Acacia Hotel. These were always frightening to me as a child.  And I recall the one in the 2nd floor bathroom at Estemere.  I don't recall that one had to go through there to get to the 3rd floor, but possibly.  We saw the bedrooms, but I don't recall those on 3rd floor, except I may have read Mrs. McDonough's book or did afterwards and it seems like she called attention to a "bridal suite" up there.  I remember climbing up to the observatory and I think I do recall the hand- painted walls or just ceiling in there. We could not see much outside since it was a dark night.  As I mentioned, I do not recall any furniture or wall hung paintings or debris other than maybe I do recall that downstairs bathroom and it seems to be sinister in my mind.  I do not recall that the kitchen was open to the dining room.  I just can't imagine such a thing in those days of servants.  There may have been carpeting.  I wish I had better recall.  We, of course, left the house and never went back.  In those days, vandalism was not something kids were into.  I do still have some remorse at entering at all.

There certainly was no player piano at Estemere by the time I was there, unless very well hidden, as from age 12, I was crazy about them.  Estemere would have been a great place for one to entertain.  I have rebuilt many and have 3 electric reproducing grands and a reproducing spinet of late manufacture.  Reproducing pianos are more sophisticated; they automatically reproduce great artists' playing with all expression.

I believe that of all the photos I've ever seen of Estemere, the best is one printed by the Gazette a few years ago. I still have it somewhere.  I am somewhat of an architecture freak and it proves the really wonderful Queen Anne design by the architect.  I have wished I had time to research the name of the architect, the design being so wonderful that he may have had considerable fame.  Do you know if there was any write-up by the Colorado Springs or Denver papers when Estemere was completed?  There should have been and the house really merited one.  If an article were found, it would surely give the architect's name. 

I do genealogy and intend to look at some Websites for William Finley Thompson's name or family.  Are you aware of any of his daughter's, or his siblings' descendants?

I did not spend any summers at the Cabin after I was 21 until 1984 and 1985 and have only been to CO once since and visited the property twice that time very briefly.  My sister still enjoys it some.  Those summers in the 1980's were very much like those of my childhood.  My grandparents seemed to be around the cabin in spirit, very definitely; they do not seem to ever be at home here.  I asked about Estemere in the '80's when staying in Palmer Lake, got some kind of answer, and that was it.

I really believe the townspeople would cherish Estemere more if it's owners would throw an (outside) old-fashioned ice cream social or something yearly; the kids would never lose memory of such a thing as I recall those at the Town Hall. There could even be a charge with profits going to some Palmer Lake charity. 

Hope to hear something back.  Sorry about the trespassing so long ago!  :-)

Yours,  Bill Pixley

Dear Kimberly and Roger:

 I was looking at your website as I wanted to see what info. was available
on the Estemere. My grandfather was Ray Niswanger a former owner and partner
with Nininger. I do have quite a few early photos of Palmer Lake. I'm not
sure if I have any specifically of the Estemere but of the town and people.
I know one of my cousins has a trunk with numerous pictures as well which I
will look through. I would be happy to let you make copies of any that you
might be interested in.

I grew up in Palmer Lake as well in the 50's and 60's and have seen many,
many changes obviously, but the Estemere was always one of the defining
features that remained of it's early history and sort of a beacon to those
of us who lived there. I am happy to know that you love it and are committed
to restoring it. Best luck in your project.

Sincerely,

Danette Niswanger Ulrich
5716 Via Verona View
Colorado Springs, CO  80919
559-5716