The Old Estes Park Post Office and Hattie Carruthers

The Estes Park Post Office saw several homes in the early days of the community. The first location that housed the Post Office was Dunraven Ranch in 1879. It then moved to the Macgregor Ranch until 1884, before returning to Dunraven Ranch. Finally, in the 1890s, the town of Estes built a location on the main drive, Elkhorn Avenue. While the Post Office once again moved locations, it was the Elkhorn Avenue location that saw Hattie Carruthers as Postmistress from 1919-1924.

Hattie Carruthers, nee Snodgrass, moved to Estes Park with Reverend Carruthers in 1917 for his health. Hoping that the higher and drier climate of Colorado would improve Reverend Carruthers’ health, the couple moved to Estes Park where Reverand Carruthers became the pastor of the Estes Park Presbyterian Church, with Hattie by his side.   

The year 1917 saw the United States entering World War I. While the fighting occurred only in Europe, the First World War still impacted those living in Estes Park. Up to 43,000 Coloradoans served in the Great War. Estes Park decided to create defense clubs to create support and patriotism for the War effort. Chaired by Joe Mills, the Local Council of Defense established itself in 1918 to “protect property and conserve resources.” Enthusiasm was strong for this initiative, and a women’s division was created with Hattie Carruthers as the leader. 

While in Estes Park, she worked as Post Mistress for the town. After her husband's death in 1923, she resigned from her position, having held it for four years. After this, Mrs. Carruthers disappears from the record. However, in the brief moments she makes an appearance among the dusty papers of old newspapers, she clearly valued education and community through her work as a teacher and involvement in the town of Estes Park. 

James H. Pickering. American’s Switzerland: Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park in Growth Years. Boulder, CO: University of Colorado, 2005

“New Postmistress Takes Charge” The Estes Park Trail, 1924, https://eparkhives.com/pdf/1924-EPTrail.pdf