Some Elk Mountain magic

The Elk Mountain Hotel was built in 1905 and, in its day, has also been known as the John S. Evans Hotel, Mountain View Hotel and Grandview Hotel. No matter its name, the restored Victorian inspired facility that is set next to the bank of the Medicine Bow River is a beautiful property.

The two story wood frame building was constructed next to the Garden Spot Pavilion, a dance hall that was a social center in what would be considered, by most, a remote part of Wyoming. The Garden Spot Pavilion was built in 1880 by John S. Jones.

John Evans, the owner of the Elk Mountain Saloon in 1903, acquired the Garden Spot Pavilion. In 1905, he built the hotel to compliment the pavilion.

Evans expanded the pavilion in the 1920s. The pavilion featured a spring dance floor, accomplished by laying the finish floor over widely spaced pine logs, encircled by seating areas.

The larger pavilion attracted major bands during the Big Band Era as well as country and western musicians.

Artists playing at the Garden Spot Pavilion included Harry James, Les Brown, Lawrence Welk, Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa, Hank Thompson, Tex Williams and Jim Reeves. Despite the town's isolated location, customers would travel hundreds of miles and performers would play to a full house.

As time went by, better roads allowed more tourism to increase and the hotel provided accommodation to hunters and vacationers. Evans sold the property in 1947 to Mark and Lucille Jackson, who remodeled the hotel and the pavilion.

The Elk Mountain Hotel and the Garden Spot Pavilion were placed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 10, 1986.

Being on the National Register of Historic Places did not save the pavilion. It deteriorated over the years and was demolished in the early 2000s.

The Elk Mountain Hotel has seen a few owners since the Jacksons bought it in the late 1940s.

In February, the hotel changed hands again to Christine Ledder.

Ledder was raised in Carbon County at a ranch south of Medicine Bow until her teenage years when her family moved to Texas to ranch there.

"The weather is more temperate there," Ledder said. "I ended up going into nursing and worked in a large hospital in San Antonio for seven years. I was on the stroke floor."

To some it might seem strange Ledder went from nursing into the hotel industry.

"I have always been interested in hospitality and I feel like I can help people in a different way," Ledder explained. "Where I worked in the hospital I could help people get better after an awful stroke, but I wanted to get them before they get to that point. I think that this type of industry is more like being healthy; destressing, taking care of yourself before you get to that point."

Ledder said she had always admired the hotel for what it presented to the public over the years with its quality lodgings and food.

The twelve guest rooms are appointed with period antiques and all have private bathrooms. Many hotels built back in this time period did not have private baths.

"When people call, I tell them the rooms are like going into the past. That means no TVs," Ledder said. "Some people aren't ready for that, but most are."

Ledder knows she has a historical treasure on her hands.

"The pavilion and the hotel were the gathering place for this area," Ledder said. "I can't bring the pavilion back, but I would like to have events out on the lawn for locals."

Ledder said her biggest goal is for visitors to come and enjoy the place.

"There is so much history around you and the beauty of the grounds and hotel have a magic," Ledder said. "I hear the guests say the word "magical" so I know it just isn't me that sees this place as enchanting."

Ledder feels the place is great for a retreat from a world that can be tough. She is new to the business, but she is not daunted.

"I have so many ideas right now, but we are so new, I don't really know what is going to work the best," Ledder said. "Right now I am trying Prime Rib Friday nights because, not only is it a classic meal, but I heard locals around here enjoyed when there was a place that did a steak night. That doesn't happen anymore. The point is, I listen to what the communities want and will try my best to accommodate them."

Currently The Elk Mountain Hotel restaurant specializes in Cordon Bleu cuisine. Ledder said the food has been recognized as outstanding for several years and she plans to continue to make sure it stays that way. She wants the menu to be high quality in the Cordon Bleu manner, but she wants creativity to be involved.

"I want people to come and tell others that the Elk Mountain Restaurant is a place you have to eat," Leddersaid. "I want diners to walk away with a great experience. That includes superior service. Being new, there will be mistakes, but I will do my best to make sure they don't happen often."

She said trying to open in March during the beginning of COVID pandemic was difficult as sweeping directives came in from the state on how to stay open.

"It was hard, but everyone around here have (sic) been incredibly supportive," Ledder said. "It makes a difference during a time like this."

Ledder hopes that eventually, as people can gather more, local artists will want to come and play at either the dining room or gazebo area.

"We are really interested in having this happen," Ledder said. "I really believe people enjoy live music and this place has a history of giving people great live music. There is just something about live music that is just fun."

Ledder knows it will take a little time for people to discover the Elk Mountain Hotel, whether it is for their restaurant or as a get-away retreat for a few days.

"This is a place where you can be sitting on the porch and watch a moose walk by," Ledder said. "Like I said earlier, this is a magical place just waiting to be discovered."