This 35mm slide was among a group of vacation slides from Estes Park, Colorado. It may be the only internet evidence of Hart's Buffeteria (Parking in the Rear) and Cottage Inn.
The slide dates from around 1970 and looks down the road in dowtown Estes Park. The only other readable business is Log [something] Waffle Kitchen.
I'm trying to visualize what a mashup of a buffet (where you serve yourself) and cafeteria (where you are served from behind a counter) would look like. Maybe it was an early version of "all-you-can-eat" with service. I'm also wondering how the photographer got this picture from above. It doesn't look like there are any buildings that tall in the area. Possibly, he climbed up one of the hills that surrounds the town.
i've only been to estes park a couple times (once in the 70s, actually), so i don't recall if it's in a canyon like other colorado mining towns, but it could be. that's where the the hotel that inspired the hotel in The Shining is, too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stanley_Hotel
ReplyDeleteI've been there a couple times in the 80's and 90's. I think you come out of the mountains down into town, so it could be shot from the road above. I've always wanted to stay at The Stanley. Maybe next trip.
DeleteHey, I grew up in Estes Park from 1963 to 1975. I went to school with David Hart, of the Hart family that owned the buffeteria. As far as a the picture, there was a hill where the camera is located, right above the western end of Elkhorn Ave. Right next to the road is a rock face that was carved out to form the road.
ReplyDeleteMy family and I would go there right after church, which was across the street (the Estes Park Community Church). I loved going there. They had the best salads.
John Marks
My grandfather owned and operated the restaurant. I grew up working there. He taught me so much about ethics and how to work with other people.
DeleteSorry for the late reply, but thanks for the information, John.
DeleteThanks for sharing memories of your grandfather, anonymous. And thanks for stopping by.
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