Town: Fremont Pass, near the molybdenum mining town of Climax. Chalk Mountain Ski Area: 1934 – 1962 Chalk Mountain Ski Area, Summit County’s first ski mountain, was founded by Jack Gorsuch (1931/32–2017). While working at the Climax Molybdenum Mine, Gorsuch...
Dr. Bonnie Ward retired to Summit County in 2009 after a 40-year career in education in Maryland. She was a high school math and computer science teacher, mathematics curriculum supervisor, director of technology, associate superintendent, and superintendent of...
Lulu Buffington was elected as the superintendent of Summit County, Colorado Schools in 1899, becoming the first woman to hold this position. In 2025, we honor her historic achievement. She was re-elected in 1901, and according to the Summit County Journal on...
Pictured above: Frisco Mayor Gary Wilkinson, right, presents Sandy Mortensen with the Frisco’s Finest Award on Feb. 11, 2020, at the Frisco Town Hall. Credit: Sawyer D’Argonne / Sandy Mortensen moved to Summit County in 1977,...
Kathleen “Kate” Briggle came to Summit County from Canada in the 1890s and became involved in the music scene as a piano teacher, organist, and musical director. She contributed greatly to the cultural community through her passion in music. Kathleen...
Emma Benson Ballif Emma Lovisa Bengtsdotter was born March 23, 1868, in Torup (parish), Hallands Iän (county) Öfregård Sweden. She immigrated to the United States in 1886, first going to Des Moines, Iowa. In 1890 she and a friend moved to Colorado, where she...
Benjamin Franklin Rice Benjamin Franklin Rice (Ben) applied for and received one of the first homesteads in Summit County. He received his patent (deed of ownership) in 1898. Ben and his wife Mabel moved into the one room cabin on the 160 acres located six miles from...
