Mr. Mills

 Post (C) Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Image (C) Doris McCraw

Like many in the 19th and early 20th century, Enos Mills, born in Kansas in 1870, made his home in Colorado.

At the age of fifteen, he climbed Long's Peak, a 14,000-foot peak in Colorado, during one of his early trips to the Estes Park area. During his life, he soloed the peak forty times and guided others another three hundred. He also wrote several books about the area and wildlife.

Recovering his health, Mills traveled extensively until 1902, when he returned to Colorado and settled near Longs Peak. During his travels, he encountered the naturalist John Muir, who changed the course of his life.

Enos Mills
photo from Wikipedia

Mills dedicated the remainder of his life to preserving the land around Longs Peak. At one point, it was said he wanted to preserve the area from Longs Peak to Pikes Peak, encompassing over 100 miles. With the help of groups like the Sierra Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution, he did accomplish the establishment of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915.

In my upcoming book, Isabella, Mr. Mills makes an appearance. The story will be available in October.

Until next time,

Doris

Angela Raines - Amazon

Doris A. McCraw - Amazon

Mrs. Mills

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

Do you know Mrs. Mills? Are you aware she championed her husband's cause and continued his fight after his death?

Born Esther Burnell in August of 1889 in Eureka, Kansas. As a consulting decorator, she worked for the Sherwin Williams Paint Company. A hard worker, she ended up with a nervous breakdown.

In 1916, she homesteaded near Estes Park, spending most of her time outdoors, walking numerous miles to get her mail or visit friends. This regime soon restored her health. She also designed and assisted in building her five-room cabin and built the furniture she used in the cabin.

Esther B. Mills
from Wikipedia

During this time, Esther met and spent time with Enos Mills. In 1918, she and her sister Elizabeth, who took a sabbatical, trained to be nature guides at Rocky Mountain National Park. This made the sisters the first certified nature guides with the National Park Service.

In August 1918, Esther married Enos. The couple had one child. Enos died in 1922. Esther continued her husband's fight with the park over access, finished her husband's writings, and helped restore Enos's reputation.

She passed away in April 1964 at the age of 74 in Englewood, Colorado.

Esther B. Mills

Books by Esther Mills

Until next time

Doris McCraw

Angela Raines - Amazon

Doris A. McCraw - Amazon