What is Chautauqua Park?

Chautauqua Park is a designated National Historic Landmark and is considered one of Boulder's most iconic landmarks. It attracts visitors from all over the world who come to experience its natural beauty and rich history. It is a popular destination for hiking, dining, going to events, and lounging to watch the Colorado Mesa's scenic beauty.  It covers more than 65 acres of land, ranging from hundreds of hiking trails, a grass field, a dining hall, playgrounds, an auditorium, tennis courts, and much more. 

 

History 

Chautauqua Park was founded in 1898 by the University of Texas. The thought behind the park was to create a summer school in a nicer location in Colorado. The Texas Officials visited Colorado and met up with the University of Colorado Boulder Officials to discuss the land plans. After being impressed by the location and scenery Texas and Colorado Officials came together to form the Texas-Colorado Chautauqua Association. Chautauqua Park had three possible locations, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Boulder. Eventually, Boulder won after residents fiercely approved the bond to purchase the land, forming the Chautauqua Movement. 

As part of the agreement, the city will construct both an auditorium and a dining hall on the premises. Additionally, a transportation system will be established to get individuals to and from the park. On May 12, 1898, they started the construction of the auditorium and dining hall in order for them to be ready in time for the grand opening plan on July 4th, 1898. Upon the dining hall and auditorium being finished in early June, over 300 Tents were set up as well to welcome Texas residents visiting the landmark for opening day.

Chautauqua Park would go on to establish the first summer school in Colorado, offering over fifty different courses containing sixteen subjects. The subjects included literature, math, chemistry, botany, physics, psychology, education, languages, etc. Each course costs five dollars. 

For the following years after the grand opening, business was booming. People from all over the country came to use the park's facilities as well as take advantage of the location's scholarly resources. Electric railways as well as a plethora of more buildings were built including, almost one hundred college lodges to house over 600 visitors. The park was so loved that the city tried to expand the acres but was denied. 

 

Recession 

The Chautauqua movement was hit with a hard decline in the 1920s. More options for traveling began popping up as well as new forms of entertainment, meaning the once favorited auditorium was in jeopardy.

This problem sinks deeper when the Great Depression hits in the 1930s. Farmers specifically getting hit hard as they were the primary heart of Chautauqua Park. Recovery from the Great Depression began after the end of World War II, the park was beginning to expand more and gain new business again. 

Historical Registration 

After going through the entertainment, education, and economic struggles the year prior had given, in 1970 Chautauqua almost closed down completely. A plan was in play to begin tearing down the auditorium and other original historic buildings when an editor of the Daily Camera did everything to get Chautauqua in the National Register of Historic Places finally shifting the city's view from destruction. 

Chautauqua Today 

Chautauqua remains one of Boulder's most iconic tourist attractions with more than one million visitors each year. The park continues to stay devoted to its historic and educational sources and has gained huge attraction as it is located at the foot of Boulder’s famous Flatirons foothills. The location has become a hub for families, events, businesses, and activities. The population will continue to expand as the city of Boulder is also expanding with all people who are interested in exactly what Chautauqua has to offer. 

Many things to do and services are offered at Chautauqua Park. The Dining Hall is a main attraction of Chautauqua. The building of the Dining Hall is one of the first historic buildings that was originally built in 1898 and has only been renovated for safety purposes but is mostly the exact same original build that was finished in late June of 1898. The Dining Hall offers inside and outside dining per reservation as well as provides catering and hosts private events. The outdoor seating is in high demand as it gives a beautiful view of the Boulder skyline and the Flatirons foothills all in one. Amongst the Dining Hall, parks, and hiking trails is the original historical building of the auditorium. The auditorium still invites many artists to perform to this day and even sells out of tickets often. Surrounding the auditorium are the educational cottages that are available to rent out year-round. Some of the cottages have become privately owned through the years but others are still owned by Chautauqua. This is one of the most popular things for tourists in Boulder as it is a perfect location to get that mountain life feeling as well as being minutes from downtown Boulder and the University of Colorado Boulder. Chautauqua Park offers a beautiful location for many private events including a very popular hub for weddings. It is able to accommodate any size wedding as well as clear the area to make the wedding more private and beautiful. The green Dining Hall turns into an amazing venue and is able to accommodate any weather.  

A plethora of volunteer opportunities is also offered by Chautauqua. Volunteer roles are open for concerts, events, helping maintain the garden and the green, tourist experiences, as well as corporate and group events. Hiking tours are also a very popular attraction at Chautauqua as it is one of the main attractions being the trailhead of many famous hikes of Colorado including the Royal Arch.  

The Chautauqua Movement is one of Colorado's proudest historical landmarks as it has survived multiple downfalls and is still very much successfully standing. Chautauqua is coming up on its one hundred and twenty-fifth birthday and will continue to support the locals who have grown up and loved Chautauqua, with the activities and events they offer year-round. As well as the iconic tourist attractions over one million visitors vacate to Chautauqua for.

 

References 

Ben Fogelberg  Former editor, C. H. N. O. W. (2001, June 1). Colorado chautauqua: History Colorado. Colorado Chautauqua | History Colorado. Retrieved April 9, 2023, from https://www.historycolorado.org/grant-news/2001/06/01/colorado-chautauqua 

Yongli. (2017, May 17). Colorado chautauqua. Articles | Colorado Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 9, 2023, from https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/colorado-chautauqua 

The colorado chautauqua. The Colorado Chautauqua. (2023, January 10). Retrieved April 9, 2023, from https://www.chautauqua.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxMmhBhDJARIsANFGOSv6Sly8mYsT4gAr5zQLkw1WKd2pxYcYEtP1y_B2LN4lA1eT5LWib5oaAgNjEALw_wcB 

Suazo, B. (2023, March 7). Opening day. The Colorado Chautauqua. Retrieved April 9, 2023, from https://www.chautauqua.com/2023/opening-day/