REDSTONE PHOTO ARCHIVES

Local legend is that when the Ute Indians were forced out of the Crystal Valley in 1881, they burnt the hillsides, scared the game and left THE UTE CURSE – “Let no white man prosper.”  

Since then Redstone history has been a series of “Boom & Busts” – Osgood’s  Utopian mining village, 1899-1908; Lucille Osgood’s refurbished resort,1926-1940; Frank Mechau’s New Deal Art School, 1937-1946; Frank Kistler’s Grand Resort, 1954 -1961;  Mid-Continent Corporation’s coal mining operation, 1952-1989 … But always, the spirit of Redstone has survived.

In 1924, Lucille Osgood had 200 workers transform the abandoned village into a resort.
In 1924, Lucille Osgood had 200 workers transform the abandoned village into a resort.
By 1930, following the depression, the Osgood resort was struggling.
By 1930, following the depression, the Osgood resort was struggling.
Frank Mechau family 1948
The Redstone Inn became the center of social life when Frank Mechau opened an art school in 1937.
The abandoned grand buildings including the Big Horn Lodge provided a back drop for Mechau's students
The abandoned grand buildings including the Big Horn Lodge provided a back drop for Mechau's students
The schoolhouse was a perfect space for creating 19 New Deal murals that still hang in Federal buildings.
The schoolhouse was a perfect space for creating 19 New Deal murals that still hang in Federal buildings.
The early 40's were good times in Redstone - Mechau family, left foreground with students and Inn guests.
The early 40's were good times in Redstone - Mechau family, left foreground with students and Inn guests.
Following Frank Mechau's untimely death, Redstone only had 14 residents that included his remaining family.
Following Frank Mechau's untimely death, Redstone only had 14 residents that included his remaining family.
By 1957, Frank Kistler grand resort included this year-round pool, additional Redstone Inn lodging, the new Redstone Cliffs Lodge, and two neighboring subdivisions.
By 1957, Frank Kistler grand resort included this year-round pool, additional Redstone Inn lodging, the new Redstone Cliffs Lodge, and two neighboring subdivisions.
Kistler's resort also included ski area and a nine-hole golf course on the castle property. Unfortunately the resort struggled when Kistler died in 1960.
Kistler's resort also included ski area and a nine-hole golf course on the castle property. Unfortunately the resort struggled when Kistler died in 1960.