Frank and Shirley Lilley and the Chimney Rock Ranch
In 1952, Frank and Shirley Lilly probably never dreamed that they would forever be closely associated with the historic Chimney Rock Ranch.
Frank had finished his degree in Animal Science at CSU and three months after their marriage secured a job as ranch foreman on the Chimney Rock Ranch. At 57,000 acres, part of it in Larimer County Colorado, this southern Albany County ranch was just the challenge for the newlyweds; Frank never left it.
The ranch got its name from the sandstone outcrop along Sand Creek Road that looks like a chimney when viewed head on, but like a resting camel from the side. Laramie people out for a drive came to call it “Camel Rock,” but area residents still call it Chimney Rock.
When Frank was hired, Russ Roberts was cow foreman on the ranch. But a year later, Russ left. At the age of 26, Frank became Ranch Manager.
Shirley assisted Frank in every aspect of the operation in addition to being a wife and mother. She cooked for hired men, purchased and maintained the grocery inventory, no small matter with a ranch 24 miles from town with about 8 people to cook for every night.
A ranch wife was expected to help with fencing, haying and everything to do with shipping cattle. Bookkeeping became part of her job along with entertaining visiting owners. And if a ranch hand needed transportation to town, it was usually Shirley who drove them.
Until 1964, their employers on the Chimney Rock Ranch were Irving Ludlow and Horace McCarty of Longmont, Colorado. Frank and Shirley were responsible for overall ranch operations which included enhancing wildlife management as well as managing the workers, land, cattle and water. There were miles of fencing, water development, windmills and associated equipment to maintain on the large ranch which had many fenced pastures. Cattle breeding and chemical application required knowledge of and adherence to standards and safety regulations.
There were other houses on the ranch where married ranch hands and their families lived, and a bunkhouse for single hands. Shirley recalls that the workers were never called “cowboys”--- they were “ranch hands.” In the early years there were five hands working with Frank and Shirley until the Lilley children were old enough to help. Thereafter one other year-around hand was with them.
In November of 1964 the ranch was sold to the Chimney Rock Grazing Association which consisted of 48 farmers. Together, these farmers owned almost 5,000 head of cattle. Among them, there were 50 different brands on their yearling steers, heifers, cows and calves.
The owners brought the cattle to the ranch in the spring for summer grazing. In the fall, the cattle were gathered, sorted and shipped back to their owners. Red Garretson, brand inspector, was on the scene assuring that all cattle being shipped had the proper brands; he also helped from daylight until after dark as needed.
This routine continued until 1987, when Frank died at the age of 60 from the effects of a rare lung cancer, mesothelioma. He was in his second term as Albany County Commissioner, and Shirley was appointed take over his seat. So both served as County Commissioners, which may be the only time in this county where a husband and then a wife held the same office.
After Frank died, Shirley moved to her childhood home seven miles southeast of Laramie. Now the ranch is owned by Bruce and Marie Lewis. Shirley has volunteered many hours to promote local ranching history. She is now helping compile a history of all the ranches of Albany County.
By Dicksie May Knight
Caption: Frank and Shirley Lilley, 1978. They were married in 1952 and raised three children on the Chimney Rock Ranch: Clay, Carol and Julie. When Frank died in his second term of office as Albany County Commissioner in 1987, Shirley was appointed as his replacement. She served about four years as County Commissioner, a rare instance of a husband and then a wife serving in that office. Photo courtesy of Shirley Lilley