Old Boulder Estate of an Alpineer, Mineralogist, Train Enthusiast, & Book

Own a piece of history when you shop this estate of a member of the Long family, best known for Long's Gardens, a famous iris garden in North Boulder.  The family patriarch, JD Long, moved to Colorado in 1898 and purchased a variety store in downtown Boulder in 1905.  After expanding its seed department, he eventually created the mail order JD Long Seed Company.  The seed store remained in downtown Boulder for many years. Meanwhile a place “just north of town” (the current location) was purchased in 1916 to propagate the seeds and bulbs sold in the downtown store. In the late 1940’s, the downtown location was closed, and operations were consolidated at the north Broadway farm. It is no longer “just north of town” but more “in the middle of town” since Boulder has grown. 

JD & his wife, Cora, raised three children, Carleton, Everett, and Elizabeth as well as crops of iris, gladiolus, dahlias, peonies, and a plethora of other flowers, vegetables and fruits.    This estate includes items from Carleton's life, as well as his son, Doug.  The Longs were avid mountaineers and you'll find a huge collection of mountaineering books, some written by members of the Long family.  There is also an amazing collection of other books including Native American, anthropology, Colorado history, naturalist writing, horticulture, mineralogy, and fiction.  There is an exceptional collection of rocks and minerals small and large and train collectors will be amazed at the extent of train collectibles, not limited to just vintage Lionel trains, some with boxes, but train time tables, magazines, photos, and books.  Literally nothing in this house was purchased in the 21st century (besides perishables) so you'll also find great vintage and antique furniture, mid century glass including Blenko, George Briard, and Culver, and clothing from the 1940's.  Enjoy this unique auction of a Boulder long gone!

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