Experience the captivating history of Fort Collins and the surrounding region with the Fort Collins Early Settlement/Town Beginnings Tour. Led by Mark Serour, an engaging and knowledgeable historical interpreter, this tour takes you back in time as you explore the intriguing stories of the area's earliest settlers. Serour, dressed in period clothing, brings history to life with visual aids from the Traces of the Past company collections and archives. Immerse yourself in the fascinating tales of personalities and events that shaped Fort Collins, the Cache la Poudre River valley, southeastern Wyoming, and western Nebraska. This unique tour combines a guided van tour with light walking, allowing you to discover hidden gems and unearth the region's rich history. Don't miss out on this immersive and educational experience with Traces of the Past History Tours.
About this experience
Free Cancellation
For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
2
hours
Suitable for
1-10
Participants
Small Group Tour
Guided Experience
Learn about Euro-American settlement at Auntie Stone's cabin
See remains of Strauss cabin on a scenic walk
Explore the restored Harmony Mill, a symbol of early industry
Engaging and detailed tour by historical expert
Air-conditioned vehicle
Personalized stagecoach ticket
We share a variety of historic artifacts from our personal company archives and collections.
Popular Hotels Closeby
More about this experience
Introduction
Join Traces of the Past History Tours on an immersive journey through the early settlement and town beginnings of Fort Collins. Led by the passionate and knowledgeable owner, Mark Serour, this captivating tour offers a unique experience filled with intriguing stories, detailed insights, and plenty of fun. Mark's dedication to historical interpretation is evident as he dresses in period clothing and shares visual aids from the Traces of the Past collection, truly bringing the past to life.
What to expect?
During this 120-minute tour, you can anticipate a combination of a guided van tour and light walking around the greater Fort Collins area. Explore the fascinating history of the Cache la Poudre River valley, as well as its connections to southeastern Wyoming and western Nebraska. Immerse yourself in the tales of early settlers, the founding of Fort Collins, and the Euro-American settlements. Marvel at historical sites such as Auntie Stone's cabin and the remains of the Strauss cabin along the Cache la Poudre River. Delve into the past as you learn about Harmony Mill, a beautifully restored four-story brick building that represents Fort Collins' early grain refining industry.
Who is this for?
This tour is perfect for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and anyone with a curiosity about the early days of settlement in Fort Collins. Whether you are a local resident eager to learn more about your city's heritage or a visitor seeking a deeper understanding of the region's history, this tour welcomes all. Traces of the Past History Tours ensures an inclusive experience that caters to a broad range of interests and backgrounds.
Why book this?
Traces of the Past History Tours stands out from other tour providers in Fort Collins by offering a truly immersive and engaging experience. Mark Serour's expertise and passion for history shine through as he weaves together captivating stories, accompanied by visual aids and period clothing. You'll feel transported back in time, gaining a deep understanding and appreciation for the remarkable history of Fort Collins. This tour goes beyond surface-level knowledge, offering a comprehensive exploration that spans a broad geographic area. Don't miss the chance to discover the authentic past of Fort Collins in a way that will leave a lasting impression.
Good to know
It is important to note that the tour begins at the parking lot next to the entrance of Watson Lake State Wildlife Area, located one mile west of Vern's Place on Rist Canyon Rd. The tour combines both van transportation and some light walking, so comfortable footwear is recommended. Prepare to be immersed in history and enjoy the wealth of knowledge shared by Mark Serour, a seasoned traveler and expert historian.
Reviews
Customers rave about the incredible storytelling and engaging delivery of Traces of the Past History Tours. They praise Mark Serour's deep knowledge and ability to make history come alive. Visitors appreciate the well-curated visual aids and the unique experience of having a guide who is dressed in period clothing. This tour receives high marks for its comprehensive exploration of Fort Collins' early settlement history and its ability to captivate both locals and tourists alike. Prepare to be transported to a bygone era and discover the intriguing stories that shaped Fort Collins.
How long before the event do I need to book?
You can book at any time before the event
Vouchers accepted in the following formats
Mobile
Is an adult required for the booking?
At least one adult or senior required per booking
Where to Meet: the tour will begin at the parking lot next to the entrance to Watson Lake State Wildlife Area. Located ~1 mile west of Vern's Place on Rist Canyon Rd. next to the bridge that crosses the Cache la Poudre River (closest address to site: 4900 Rist Canyon Rd., Laporte, CO 80521).
4900 Rist Canyon Rd,
4900 Rist Canyon Rd, Bellvue, CO 80512,
US
Your Itinerary
Cache La Poudre River
This tour tells the fascinating story of some the earliest settlers in the Cache la Poudre River valley, how they came to be associated with the founding of the fledgling community of Fort Collins, and where the settlement occurred along the Poudre corridor.
Library Park
Guests will be able to see Auntie Stone's cabin and learn about the Euro-American settlement here in 1859 and the U.S. Army, serving a protective role for civilians.
131 Lincoln Ave
Harmony Mill, Fort Collins - Constructed in 1886, the “Farmers Protective Association Harmony Mills” was located just across the Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific RR tracks from its rival, the Lindell Mill, which was the original such operation in the Poudre valley. It is a handsomely restored four-story brick building that represents the early grain refining industry in Fort Collins.
Reviews
(10)
5(10)
AlisonW2474
Marc was a wonderful guide to the early beginnings of the Cache de Poudre valley. He was informed, charming, and clearly communicated his love for the area that he was guiding us through. Not only did he continually narrate the history and the features of the natural environment we were seeing, he also provided us with a map of the area to use that highlighted the important locations he was discussing and showed us many artifacts and documents from the time periods he was focusing on. He even dressed in clothing of the era and mastered the special handwriting of the time period to prepare a journal with quotes from area notables. Thank you, Marc, for an enjoyable and informative morning.
Palmer55Summer_Fun
It was an amazing and extremely informative tour. Mark was incredible and super knowledgeable in the history of this area. He brought artifacts along and shared an incredible amount of information. From start to finish he was cognizant of our needs and so polite. If you love history and want to learn about Fort Collins- I highly recommend this tour!
cynthiamM394XS
Delightful, insightful and informational! Thank you Mark for a wonderful morning and a Happy Birthday for our Mother :)
Cynthia
ShannonM589
I took my father on a tour for father’s day. Mark is a wonderful tour guide who really enjoys what he does. It was a wonderful experience. The tour sparked us to go home and look up information.
klksboys
Unique tour in an area where I was bombarded with beer tours. Mark is passionate, knowledgeable and fun. Highly recommended.
jeanporr
As a history major, Mark was well-qualified to lead this tour. He took us to several sites in the early history of Fort Collins and shared many details of the early days here. He offered several maps and photos to help us understand the people and their times. He welcomed questions, and we finished the tour with a better grounding of the area and its history. Thank you, Mark, for an enlightening afternoon!
fredgr99
Someone once said that history is who we are and why we are the way we are. Mark Serour knows this better than anyone. On his "Early Settlement" tour yesterday Mark made history come alive for us. He is extremely knowledgeable of local Ft. Collins history, Colorado history, and national history and presents historical events in a helpful, easy-to-understand frame of reference.
Mark is also warm, friendly and a lot of fun. We highly recommend Mark Serour!
Rose A
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Mark and Wendy were the best. We are all seniors and they made sure we were comfortable and planned the tour to please us. (The four of us were the only tourists) Mark was a wealth of information. It was a great 2 hours.
Katrina L
Our guide Mark was fantastic-very knowledgeable, accommodating, and friendly. This was a very interesting tour including stories of early settlers, cultural, economic, and agricultural development of the area providing a fascinating picture of America’s westward expansion. And the stories he told left me wanting to learn more! Plus we enjoyed some beautiful scenery around the Cache laPoudre River. Mark also had a wonderful scrapbook with historical photos, maps, and a journal including quotes from the journals or letters of pioneers and settlers. History buffs and curious people will love this tour!
suey522
Our tour guide, Mark, was attired in authentic period clothing from hat to boots. He was enthusiastic and passionate about Ft. Collins' history and was comprehensively versed to answer every question we threw at him. Our time with him was not only informative, but was extremely enjoyable. We highly recommend this company's tours.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-16 11:21
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