F.O. Stanley, the Father of Estes Park

Freelan Oscar Stanley, the Father of Estes Park, once again stands gazing, violin in hand, from the terrace of his hotel across the Estes Valley to Long’s Peak.

Cast in bronze, the sculpture of Mr. Stanley was installed and dedicated on last Thursday. It is the work of Loveland sculptors Sutton Betti (www.suttonbetti.com) and Daniel Glanz (www.glanzsculptures.com) and was commissioned by John Cullen, owner of the Stanley Hotel (www.stanleyhotel.com.)

In October 2015, Cullen announced a competition for a sculpture to become the centerpiece of the new hedge maze on the terrace of the hotel. Three finalists were selected, and in March 2016, the proposal by Betti and Glanz was chosen. They began on the project immediately, completing it in six months.

“Mr. Stanley was a pretty amazing person,” said Betti at the dedication.

“We wanted to tell his story,” added Glanz.

Working from period photographs, Betti and Glanz studied Mr. Stanley’s features and body language and read about his life and dedication to Estes Park. They settled on showing him in an informal stance, with one of his handmade violins in his hand, and a Stanley Steamer driving cap resting beside him.

Working from period photographs, Betti and Glanz studied Mr. Stanley’s features and body language and read about his life and dedication to Estes Park. They settled on showing him in an informal stance, with one of his handmade violins in his hand, and a Stanley Steamer driving cap resting beside him.