Mountainjoy is a name we gave this home. It describes our time here well. But this home has a deep and fascinating history that can only be touched on here.

Built by John Williams prior to 1890 as a 2-story miners cabin in the booming gold camp of Gilpin, it was a tiny house in the wilds of Colorado for many years. In the 1920's, a kitchen addition was built that doubled the space.

In the 50's and 60s, Merl Slater owned and cared for the home. We know him only by the beautiful horse-hair and lime chinking he did in repairing old chinking. He also built the stone fireplace in the cabin. An outcropping on the property is still known as "Slater's rocks" by some old-timers.

1970 or so brought Stan and Jane Brackhage, and eventually their five children. Stan is a reknowned, art film maker with films in the Library of Congress and many other collections. The picture at left shows him in the upstairs of the cabin where he worked. It is currently a bedroom. Jane (Wodening now) is a charming writer of short-fiction and local tales who still lives locally.

We bought the home from the Crawfords who are responsible for the dining room addition and the wonderful windows in the living room remodel.

Then, there is us - the Conrads. We have loved this experience and collection of stories for over 9 years. Maybe your family will be the next in this wonderful history.

There are many funny stories that can't be told here. Just listen to the walls sometime. Maybe they'll talk!