This is the fourth in a series of articles in review of the history of Pioneer Town, how it came to be here, how it grew and some of what the museum contains. It is also a tribute to the many hard-working volunteers who have made and continue to make a dream, a reality.

One day, Ron Brewer just happened to mention some old buildings to Maynard Nelson. They were owned by Royden Girling and were located atop Elberta Heights northeast of Eckert.

On request, Girling gave a tour of the site to Nelson and others. The buildings had been assembled and furnished as a kind of western 'play town' by Donald Reed and a Mr. Alexander, two wealthy Denver families who had summer homes on the mesa top. It was a place where out-of-town guests were entertained with parties and dances.The Girlings acquired the structures and contents along with the property when the family purchased the place form Reed.

Nelson connected Nancy Peterken, of Houston, Texas, daughter of Royden Girling, to the Surface Creek Valley Historical Society in August of 1981. The entire collection was donated including all of the period contents.