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Mr. James H. Boyd was born in Marne, Iowa, on September 13, 1876. His family moved to Sterling, Colorado when he was seven years old.
Fannie Belle Johnson’s father, Adrian Johnson, a war-torn officer of the Civil War, in 1865 moved his family from Virginia to Ft. Collins, CO., where Fannie Belle was born April 28, 1883. Fannie’s family moved west, homesteading Estes Park’s Lilly Lake area, then later what became known as the McGraw Ranch. Graduating Lyons High School in 1899, Fannie’s southern genteel beauty captured Jim’s heart, a rugged, saddle-warn cowboy. Married in 1905, the town’s first piano--still where Fannie placed it in her home--was her brother’s wedding gift.
Mr. Boyd, a talented blacksmith, established himself as the town smithy. The Boyd’s began building their downtown home in 1905, on the corner of Elkhorn Ave. and Riverside Dr, a two year project. Fannie had her first son, Kennerly, at the age of 30 in 1913. Her second son, Edward, followed six years later.
Mr. Boyd was a respected pioneering businessman and was elected as a town trustee, serving from1921 to1924.
From 1925 to 1927--an arduous two year endeavor--the couple moved their home by horse and wagon north of town, to it’s current location on 861 Big Horn Drive.
In 1925 the couple began building a business block of six buildings, the Estes Park Trail termed it "One of the finest improvements that has ever been erected in the town of Estes Park." It was referred to as the “James Boyd corner.” The original buildings (albeit reworked) are still located on the corner of Elk Horn and Riverside Drive.
The headquarters for the Rocky Mountain National Park was built by Mr. Boyd and was located on Riverside Dr., near their home, serving tourists. The building is now located on 4th street near Lake Estes and is used by the Estes Park historical Museum for rotating displays.
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