The History of Harmels on the Taylor
Harmels on the Taylor is a ranch resort nestled on the banks of the Taylor River and surrounded by hundreds of miles of the Gunnison National Forest. Learn about the rich history of the property, dating all the way back to the 1800’s, to see why Harmels on the Taylor is a special place to so many people.
1800’s
Long before European settlers arrived, the Ute people — particularly the Tabeguache band — hunted and fished throughout the Gunnison and Taylor River valleys. Spanish explorers and fur trappers passed through the region in the early 1800s, but permanent settlement didn’t begin until after the Homestead Act of 1862 opened Western lands. By the 1870s, prospectors drawn by Colorado’s mining booms pushed into the upper Gunnison country, and cattle ranching soon followed in the 1880s as families recognized the rich meadows along the Taylor River. Along the Taylor River Canyon, homesteaders filed their first land patents in the 1890s, building the ranching heritage that would eventually give rise to what is now Harmels on the Taylor.
1917 – 1940’s
The Elmer Family officially opened cabins to guests in 1917, making it one of the earliest recreational retreats along the Taylor River. Around the early 1920’s, the Elmer’s Ranch homestead was divided in half to become Elsinore Cattle Co. and Elmer’s Ranch. Because of the beautiful location of the store, cabins #2 through #19 were added along the Taylor River. Elmer’s operated the ranch for many years and sold it in the mid-1940’s to Ramsey, who modernized a few cabins by adding indoor plumbing. Ramsey sold the ranch two to three years later and it was again sold in 1958 to Bud Harmel.
1960’s – 2020’s
In 1963, Bud’s daughter and her family moved from Calgary, Alberta to help run the ranch. The Roberts family ran the ranch for nearly 20 years. Steve, the youngest son of Bud’s daughter, took over managing the ranch in 1979. He continued the Harmels family ranch until 2021 when he sold it to the Reynolds family. The Reynolds are committed to restoring Harmels on the Taylor to it’s former glory and are ready to welcome guests into the family.
