In the 1800's, what is now the Village Club was part of a three million dollar land grant by the U.S. Government to the Kansas Pacific Railway Company. In 1891, a quarter section of this land was transferred to a Denver attorney, Cyrus Richardson. This tiny hamlet of Littleton was widely known for its agricultural farmland and the convenience of being serviced by three railroads.
The land that is now occupied by the Carriage Lane properties and by the Village Club was once owned by the Frank E. Kistler family. Mr. Kistler also owned the Colorado Hotel in Glenwood Springs and the Diamond K Ranch (now Highlands Ranch) before it was sold to the Berger family.
In 1929, Mr. Kistler built the stone stables, now the Village Club's Stone Clubhouse. The well-known architect was Temple H. Buell. The property was used as a weekend/vacation retreat where harness horses were raised in the early 1930’s. It is reported that for his two daughters, Fannie and Florence, he built a grandstand and large riding ring that they used for private horse shows. Both were horsewomen and lived on site. Hugh Kistler, brother of Frannie and Florence, lived in the Edgar house, just south of the Village Club pool area. The Kistler stables were strictly private, overseen by a caretaker whose quarters were in the stone stables. Hayrides and sleigh rides were a constant delight to neighbors and visitors.
During the time that the stone stables were under constructions, the Kistlers also built a swimming pool where the present pool is now located. They entertained their equestrian friends at lavish cookouts serviced by the large stone fireplace and cooking area that still grace the pool area today. The stone building and fireplace were constructed of hand picked natural rubble stone from Silver Plume. In 1951, the property was sold to the Berger family. The stable and riding ring were leased to Lester Pedicord, who used it for horse training and as a show stable and ring. The pool became a public facility called Belleview Park.
In December 1966, Robert H. Gaiser purchased the property. He developed a plan for home sites and a private club called Pheasant Ridge Aqua and Racquet Club. At this time the six tennis courts were built. Club members enjoyed swimming, tennis and riding. Mr. Gaiser retained ownership of Pheasant Ridge. Pheasant Ridge’s membership included many founding and current member of the Village Club.
In 1973 Mr. Gaiser closed the Pheasant Ridge Club, finding it not profitable. Members were disappointed at this prospect. Three of these members, Bill Cooper, Frank Sargent and Roland Wilson, approached Mr. Gaiser with a plan to purchase the land and structures comprising the club. A purchase agreement was approved and signed. Bill Cooper negotiated a loan through Colorado National Bank.
The project would be financed upon the condition that eleven more families would join in signing the original note and seventy-six additional families would join the club within sixty days. The original fourteen families were Chuck and Lynn Babb, Morris and Karen Bol, Tom and Shirley Bowman, Bob and Marty Bushey, Bill and Anne Cooper, Jerry and Alice Freeman, Shel and Ellen Friedman, Don and Kay Harlan, Lynn and Diane Hornbrook, Bob and Char Irick, Sy and Ellie Katz, Frank and Sherry Sargent, Marlis and Shirley Smith, and Roland and Ginny Wilson.
Tom Bowman was selected as the first president. The original sponsors of the Village Club comprised the Board of Directors for 1974. The name “The Village Tennis, Riding and Swim Club” was chosen to reflect that most of the members were families living in Cherry Hills Village or Greenwood Village.
From the onset it was agreed that the success of this club depended upon the volunteer efforts and time commitment of each member family. The family oriented spirit and operation of the club relied upon the enthusiastic participation of its member families. All were involved in recruiting the additional required families. Within the time frame of sixty days the goal was met. All families contributed $1500.00 as an initiation fee. The Village Club, a private, nonprofit member-owned club was established. Bob and Nadine Gaiser continued their participation in the club by becoming members. Later generations of the Pedicords also joined.
During these beginning times, money was very scarce. The old Kistler pool was made to function by the first swim instructor, Inge Rodell. A swim team was formed, and many meets were won despite the fact that the pool was not of regulation size. At this time, tennis and riding programs for all ages were introduced and members actively participated. Alice Freeman, Sarita List and Ginny Wilson managed to make the dressing and restrooms presentable for an expenditure of $50.00. They painted the lockers a bright orange, created a table from a barrel and installed garage sale chairs. The members donated flowers and planted them at a Memorial Day party. The upstairs party room of the Stone Building was decorated with two sofas and a rug. The downstairs area remained in its original condition as a stable.
As the years went by, the club was able to stay solvent and gain enough capital to consider construction of better facilities. In 1975, under then president, Bill Cooper, a new swimming pool was built. The club could now host swim meets! During Jeff Welborn’s presidency, John Hellgren and Roland Wilson formulated architectural plans for the pool pavilion and the remodeling of the Stone Building. Construction was completed and Mary Grow and Ginny Wilson decorated the finished product. All of the architectural and interior design work, with the exception of the architectural drafting and direct costs were donated to the club by the membership.
Eventually under Barb Thelen’s presidency, the tennis pavilion was added. Other improvements have included installing a new paddle court and resurfacing the tennis courts. The horse facilities have been upgraded and a hay barn added. The grounds were landscaped and the walkways and parking lot improved. The entrance was enhanced with a sign and light posts. Each step involved many hours of active, volunteer participation of the board and members of the club. With a varied list of social and sport activities, members have enjoyed the year round club participation. Club activities have always encouraged the interaction of all ages.
Today, with approximately 200 member families and senior memberships, The Village Tennis, Riding and Swim Club continue to move forward with plans for further improvements. As in the beginning, it still retains its character as a family oriented club, where the enthusiastic participation and volunteer efforts of member families cause things to happen!
