Elmer Carl Berg (1899-1962)

Elmer C. Berg (1900-1962) owned ranches in Colorado.

Parents

 * Charles A. Berg of Sweden
 * Charlotta X of Sweden

Marriage

 * Alice E. Jensen (1901-?) in 1924. She was also known as Sally Berg.

Death
He died on December 26, 1962 in Colorado.

Memories about Elmer C. Berg (1900-1962)

 * In 1878, John Jensen Homesteaded and later named his ranch in the Valley, The Lower Lake Ranch. The Jensen Pioneer family discovered the Elk Creek Valley and instantly fell in love with its natural beauty. Within 5 years (1883), the ranch was known as “Quite the Mountain Resort”. Between 1892 and 1902 the ranch hosted “The Denver Athletic Club camps”. The boys cabin was named Apache Lodge and the Girls cabin was named Buffalo Bill Lodge. Weekly stories seemed to appear in local papers describing names of guest and what activities they enjoyed. Stories told about John Jensen driving his horse drawn buggy down to the Pine Train depot to pick up Guests for a great get-away. Once guest arrived they could expect a great meal that would be prepared by Mrs Jensen, she was the cook. As the Jensen children grew they entertained guest with great songs from Norway. Articles published in 1883, by the local county newspaper described the ranch as “ a Grand Tourist Resort”. In 1901, tragedy occurred when Mrs. Jensen passed away but John and his four children continued the guest ranch operation until his death in 1922. Alice Jensen the youngest of the Jensen children stayed at the ranch and continued the business, then in 1924, after Alice Jensen married Elmer Berg, (a tall handsome Swedish gentleman) the Bergs continued the Jensen’s dream of operating the Guest Ranch and Fishing club. In the 1930‘s the Bergs built a new Barn, known as the dance barn. The upstairs barn floor was built with fine oak flooring then black paint marked the Shuffle board area. The Local Newspaper always kept locals residents informed about Barn dance events, or a grand local wedding held at the ranch. Then there are stories remember by relatives such as Bonnie, Alice Jensen’s 92 year old niece, “Aunt Alice and Uncle Norman had beautiful voices often singing at a wedding ceremony held along the creek, or at the school house events” In 1949, Elmer Berg one of the founders of Round up Riders of the Rockies, hosted the newly formed horseback riding group ending ride banquet at the ranches new Banquet Hall. The Banquet Hall was known for its knotty pine walls, ceilings and the great stone fireplace. Guest could enjoy the inside dancing, eating or just relaxing. Between 1949 to 1959, The Guest Ranch and Fishing Lodge became recognized as the 3R’s chuck wagon, serving “Great Food” off Elmer’s Mobile Grill. Ask the owners to tell more stories of the oldest Guest Ranch in Colorado when you come for a visit.