Rock Ledge Ranch Celebrates 150 Years
by Elizabeth Borders, Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site Lead Educator
The Rock Ledge House’s 150th birthday party is Saturday, June 21, and we’re planning an event with something for everyone! While the Chambers lived here, they sold crackers and milk for 15 cents to visitors, and we’re bringing back this simple snack at the same price! Come during regular living history program hours (10:00am-5:00pm) to enjoy historic crafts, listen to live music, try some tasty historic snacks, play fun outdoor games, and enjoy fresh-baked cookies from the Rock Ledge House as you tour the 150-year-old home of the industrious Chambers family, as well as the other historic buildings.
Join us for a special ticketed dance celebrating the Rock Ledge House’s 150th birthday on Saturday June 21st! From 6:00pm-8:30pm in the Rock Ledge House field, commemorate this historic anniversary with old-fashioned dancing, birthday cake, and appearances by historical figures. Historic costumes are encouraged, but not required, and there will be a prize for the best costume! All dances are taught and called throughout the evening so that everyone can enjoy them together. Tickets are $15 per person, $50 for four people, or $60 for six people. Purchase your tickets here.
Have you enjoyed a cool drink or snack while sitting on the Rock Ledge House front porch? Viewed the Labor Day Base Ball game from the rock wall in front of the house? Or wondered at the marvelous coolness within the root cellar? To keep these elements of the Rock Ledge House’s story alive for future generations of visitors, we are raising money for these preservation projects.
Original photos of the Rock Ledge House show the Chambers family and their guests enjoying leisure time on their spacious front porch. Preservation work on the porch will ensure that this space continues to be a place of rest and relaxation for visitors for years to come.
Quarried from local stone, the wall in front of the Rock Ledge House has served to elevate the house in its surroundings and provide additional space for recreation. Your contributions will help us to maintain and reinforce this significant piece of Rock Ledge Ranch history.
Built into the hill behind the house, the root cellar served an important role at Rock Ledge Ranch during the Chambers’ time, keeping everything from milk to homemade jams and jellies cool and ready to serve and share. Preservation work on the root cellar will enable visitors to experience this space for themselves once again.
You can support these preservation projects in many ways! Purchasing tickets to the birthday dance or joining the 150 League are ways you can be part of keeping memories at Rock Ledge Ranch alive.
In honor of the Rock Ledge House’s 150th anniversary, we are looking for 150 people to donate $150 to preservation projects at the Rock Ledge House. Would you join us and be part of this 150 League? Find more details and join the league here.
Have you been inspired by the natural and historic beauty of Rock Ledge Ranch? Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site at Garden of the Gods Park invites all artists, writers, and photographers to
be part of history and culture at the Ranch as we celebrate the 150th birthday of the Rock Ledge House. The Rock Ledge Ranch Living History Association is sponsoring a juried art and writing competition culminating in a two-week show at Rock Ledge Ranch, with prizes awarded as part of the 150th birthday celebrations on June 21, 2025. Submissions in seven different categories of art and writing will be accepted on June 5-6, 2025. Find the rest of the details on our website.