Too Much Blood

rbcraig got the FTF

Fawn Hollow

The crumbling building to the northwest is what is left of Fawn Hollow Tavern. Please note, beyond the fence (including the building) is private property.

There was a cache near here (GC1GNY7, Fawn Hollow, by Badger4007) that has been archived for a while. I felt that this area was historically significant and deserved another cache. I didn't want to put out another micro so I found a place that would accommodate a larger container and also has more convenient parking.

Here is part of the description from the archived cache:

The fawn of Fawn Hollow is a natural rock formation resembling a deer lying down and is located at the bottom of the hollow 100 yards south of the intersection of Highway 115 and County Road 20 (MacKenzie Avenue.) It is visible from the road and one has to use imagination to notice it.

The building began its existence in 1925 as a natural, rock-formed amphitheater where distinguished theater and stage productions were put on in an open-air setting. It later transformed into a dance hall and saloon in the late 1930s, but a late night fire left great damage to the roof and the back porch. After rebuilding, it was frequented by soldiers from Camp Carson who would travel to Fremont County to avoid law enforcement in Colorado Springs and to get away from the military atmosphere, and to meet with local girls who snuck out at night to go dancing and drinking.

Fawn Hollow Tavern was located in Hell’s Half Acre, an area of saloons and brothels that were rough even by today’s standards. Holding the nickname “Bucket of Blood,” patrons would fight just for entertainment, and it wouldn’t matter if you won or lost. There is even the occasional rumor of bodies buried out back and never talked about again.

Fawn Hollow Tavern closed its doors on December 31, 1952 at the stroke of midnight when the liquor license belonging to then-owner Mrs. Mickey Garrett expired and the city council refused to renew it based upon the establishment’s bad reputation. The end culminated as a result of an incident where Deputy Sheriff W. J. Calhoun, responding to reports of disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace, barely survived with his life after being severely beaten and left for dead in the parking lot.

If you would like to read more on the colorful (and sometimes bloody) history of this area here is an interesting article by local historian Sue Cochran (opens in new window).

Use the pull out. Do not stop on the highway. Area can be very muddy if it has been raining or snowing.

Original contents includes a bunch of swag, two travel bugs and a nice FTF prize.