Picture Canyon Baca County Colorado

Estelene was established in 1910 and served as a community center and post office for the rural people of southwest Baca County until 1927. Estelene was named after Estelene Collins, the lady to operated the post office on the Collins Ranch. Estelene was also a teacher at the local school house for a time. The story goes that after she got older and unable to climb the hill to the origional post office, she asked the community to build her a post office closer to the house. So, less than 50 yds away, a newer and nicer post office was built to accomodating the aging post-mistress and so in Estelene, CO there are two post offices. One old and one new!

After the building ceased to serve as a post office, it most often as storage or a bunkhouse. In the 40's the building was plumbed and re-done to serve permanently as a bunkhouse for the ranch. Ranch help lived there occassionally and even whole families. In the 60's the family of a Mexican ranch hand moved in and Toots Everett built onto the outside of the bunkhouse to accomodate the family and allow them to use both the upstairs and down stairs. Since the early 70's the bunkhouse has served as storage for the family. Now, for family,friends, and guests, the bunkhouse has been re-claimed and rennovated to serve as a guest house.

The bunkhouse is located directly on the birding trail and with-in only minutes of many of the best briding sites in Baca County. Carrizo creek runs in back of the bunkhouse and canyon lands surround the ranch. County Road M runs right by the guest house and gives access to Carrizo and Cottonwood canyons right out your back door. The bunkhouse is totally self-contained for 2-4 people. There is one regualr bed and a smaller bed in the loft. The rennovation strove to accomodate guests with the modern conveniences, while staying true to the unique and historic tradition of the building. Come be our guests and stay in the historic Estelene Bunkhouse.