Ed grew up in Houston Texas but spent his summers in Estes Park with his family. He received a degree in Chemical Engineering from Rice University and completed graduate studies at MIT. He was an ensign in the Navy and taught at the Naval War College; it was his job to teach officers about the use of radar. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant before leaving the service. Ed met his wife, Elizabeth, in Estes Park in 1947. She was a teacher in Illinois who had come to the area with some girlfriends to vacation for a month. The cabin they rented was near the Hartsook homes. They enjoyed dancing at the Dark Horse and renting horses for 25 cents an hour. At that time, you could take the horse on your own and go where you wanted to ride.
Traveling, reading, history, writing, simple carpentry, poetry, photography, tennis, Paleo and African anthropology and family genealogy are a just a few of the hobbies Ed and Elizabeth pursue. He has always been an active member of his community and served on his local school board, Chamber of Commerce, and is a Docent at the Academy of Science. Ed has been a naturalist in Rocky Mountain National Park and has had the opportunity to greet and show diplomats and dignitaries from other countries the beauty of this area. Ed worked for Chevron for 31 years and was only able to come to Estes Park for 2 to 3 weeks in the summer plus side trips when Elizabeth was here.
Ed's grandfather Singelton was a guide on the Oregon Trail in the 1880's. As the story goes, Singelton came through the Estes Valley as a beaver trapper. His home was in Lincoln, Nebraska, but he loved the mountain area and the family started coming here to vacation and camp. In 1922-23, Singelton built a house on High Drive. The carpenter and stonemason came from Lincoln, Nebraska to build the house. Ed's parents honeymooned in the Fraser area for approximately 6 weeks. In 1928, they bought land near Grandfather Singelton's house and built a house that winter for around $600; the lumber was purchased from Mr. Griffin. They had a croquet court, tennis court, and badminton area. It was a great life. There were 3 houses on the hill and they all belonged to family members. They were able to secure water for their cabin homes through Mr. Hondius, who was able to harness the water in Beaver Creek and get water to the Baldwin Ditch, which then supplied water to a collection basin; from there it went to a reservoir and finally to Beaver Point. Ed remembers going down to the river to get ice for 25 cents for 50 pounds of ice. There were many camps in the area and the Lonesome Pine was the signature of Estes Park during that time. It was meant to show a town surviving against the winter elements. In 1966, the Park bought up the land in the Beaver Point area and tore down most structures.
Ed played tennis with Harold Austin, who was a member of the SRA. Because Ed had retired in 1979, he and Elizabeth were spending more time in Estes Park. Mr. Austin asked Ed and Elizabeth to join SRA, which they did in 1981. At that time, SRA activities consisted of breakfasts and dinners. There were no other formal group activities. They had a variety of programs featuring travel shows, educational talks, and hobby programs. There was little community involvement as the early members of SRA wanted a close-knit group that spent its summer time in the mountains. Although all SRA members were property owners in the Estes area, none were year-round residents.
The groups consisted of professors, teachers, and ministers as well as some 2nd and 3rd generations with residences in Estes Park. Ed and Elizabeth liked SRA because they could go to breakfasts and dinners and enjoy the social visits while still enjoying their many other interests. Breakfasts were held at various ranches: McCreery, Stutz, Homes, Rood, and Johnson. Dinners were held at Aspen Lodge (small area), Stanley Hotel, and Steads Ranch (who was related to Abner Sprague).
Ed remembers when the Estes Park Bank was the only one in town. Located on the northwest corner of Elkhorn and Moraine where the camera shop is today, it was owned by the Hix family. There were multiple drug stores, including a Walgreens. Brainards was the grocery store and general store. Western Brands was a store where you could purchase shirts, jeans and cowboy boots. The Indian Village Store was a nice store that sold woodcarvings and beautiful Indian artifacts. The Old Plantation was a great restaurant and Chez Jay was a bar and dance hall on the 2nd floor above Bob and Toni's; they had live music.
Ed and Elizabeth have hiked all over the Estes and Park area. Ed has been actively involved in the High Drive Association and Water Board; he was instrumental in developing the various methods of water delivery to the High Drive area and is still active in that venue.