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EAGLE COUNTY - It's hard to believe now, but Beaver Creek was once seen as a big risk. Until Gerald Ford built a home there.
Locals say Ford and his wife, Betty, had played a big role in keeping Vail growing in the 1970s, then helping get Beaver Creek off the ground in the 1980s.
When Ford was vice president and president, he attracted people to Vail Village, said George Knox, owner of the Moose's Caboose on Bridge Street.
"People would congregate around Pepi's to see them, then they'd filter into the stores," Knox said. "They did a tremendous amount of good for bringing business to Vail, Colorado."
Locals say Ford and his wife, Betty, had played a big role in keeping Vail growing in the 1970s, then helping get Beaver Creek off the ground in the 1980s.
When Ford was vice president and president, he attracted people to Vail Village, said George Knox, owner of the Moose's Caboose on Bridge Street.
"People would congregate around Pepi's to see them, then they'd filter into the stores," Knox said. "They did a tremendous amount of good for bringing business to Vail, Colorado."
In the 1970s, Vail's summers were much quieter than they are now. Pepi Langegger, who owned the Tyrolean restaurant in Vail for more than 30 years, remembers the summer crowds were bigger around the time of the annual Jerry Ford Invitational golf tournament.
"It was positive (publicity) for Vail," Langegger said. "Any time a president comes to a town, it's national news."
Longtime Vail residents and business owners say, almost to a person, that Ford's presence "put Vail on the map." He did the same for Beaver Creek.
In the late 1970s - after Ford had left the White House - plans were finalized for the new resort just west of Vail. There were doubts whether the new resort would succeed.
"It was positive (publicity) for Vail," Langegger said. "Any time a president comes to a town, it's national news."
Longtime Vail residents and business owners say, almost to a person, that Ford's presence "put Vail on the map." He did the same for Beaver Creek.
In the late 1970s - after Ford had left the White House - plans were finalized for the new resort just west of Vail. There were doubts whether the new resort would succeed.
In addition, Ford's influence helped created the American Enterprise Institute World Forum, a closed-to-the-public weekend in which international political and business leaders get together to talk about the planet's problems.
In its first several years, the World Forum brought in Ford's political peers from around the world. That, in turn, brought influential businessmen.
"That brought a recognition of Beaver Creek to those world leaders," Galvin said. "The World Forum brought a lasting impression of Beaver Creek."
In its first several years, the World Forum brought in Ford's political peers from around the world. That, in turn, brought influential businessmen.
"That brought a recognition of Beaver Creek to those world leaders," Galvin said. "The World Forum brought a lasting impression of Beaver Creek."
Ford memorial service Saturday
A candlelight tribute to former president and beloved Vail resident Gerald Ford will be held Saturday evening at the snow base of Vail Mountain's Golden Peak.
The tribute will begin at 6 p.m. and will include a memorial service and shared memories of the valley's most famous citizen.
Organizers are encouraging participants to arrive early, dress warmly and remember appropriate winter footwear. Parking will be available in the Vail Village.
A candlelight tribute to former president and beloved Vail resident Gerald Ford will be held Saturday evening at the snow base of Vail Mountain's Golden Peak.
The tribute will begin at 6 p.m. and will include a memorial service and shared memories of the valley's most famous citizen.
Organizers are encouraging participants to arrive early, dress warmly and remember appropriate winter footwear. Parking will be available in the Vail Village.
