About Us

Ken and Kathy Ellison took over Freemon's Ranch in 1968. Today, the next generation continues to serve guests: daughter Starr and husband, Greg, and son Kirk and wife, Lezlee. 

History

Freemon's Ranch is located on the upper Rio Grande about 18 miles west of the historic mining town of Creede. The ranch was originally settled as San Juan City in 1874 along a stage route to Silverton, and briefly served as the county seat for the newly created Hinsdale County. Despite the best efforts of enthusiastic city developers and miners, San Juan City's relative isolation from major mining centers meant the settlement would be sold to Anna Taft, who ran a post office there for a short time. When the Tafts relocated to Silverton in 1875, Clarence and Ada "Dollie" Brooks purchased the property and built the still-standing "substantial stone building" that was used as a post office and hotel/restaurant. Thus began the long-standing tradition of good food and accommodation for travelers to the area.

Read the full history in the book "Hidden History of the Upper Rio Grande" by Sandra Wagner and Carol Ann Wetherill. For a spookier angle on the history of the Ranch, read "Haunted Creede" by Kandra Payne.