About Fort Austin

The Property Revitalized...

The property at Fort Austin was owned by Colorado Westmoreland Coal Company starting in the 1970s. It is known as the “Westmoreland House” by locals because it was the office headquarters for Westmoreland from 1976-1980 when the offices were moved downtown and to the mine site.

When Tim bought the property it was a neglected mess; weeds and thorns everywhere, dilapidated fences crisscrossing the field, piles of boulders, leaking roof, damaged geothermal system, and damaged plumbing everywhere. It was in very rough, run-down, unmaintained condition.
In 2013 Tim began repairing, cleaning, cutting, clearing, updating and building. The first major construction projects were the huge log porch and the timber wall that are now signature features of Fort Austin. Next, Tim updated the main lodge, built cabins, built grain bins, redrilled the well, built a timber barn and constructed the log pavilion. Building Fort Austin was hard work but truly a labor of love.

Farm-to-Table Revival...

At Fort Austin, guests will see orchards and vineyards. Tim has returned this property to productive farmland harkening back to when it was a cherry orchard operated by the Stahl family. Chickens again lay the eggs, the garden supplies vegetables, guests can pick a pepper, dig an onion, gather eggs and prepare an omelet from the freshest ingredients known to man.

Paonia: Where History and Beauty Converge

Nestled within the captivating landscape of Colorado, Paonia emerges as an enchanting destination that seamlessly blends history with contemporary charm. With a storied past dating back to its mining and agricultural roots, Paonia exudes a timeless allure that beckons travelers to explore its rich tapestry. Surrounded by the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, this idyllic town offers a gateway to nature’s wonders, from the fertile orchards that once painted the valley in vibrant hues to the artistic spirit that now graces its streets. Visitors are drawn to Paonia’s warm community, where the echoes of its resilient past harmonize with the present, creating a haven of culture, adventure, and tranquility that promises an unforgettable journey through time.

Ready to host your friends and family at Fort Austin? Let’s talk about it...

About Tim...

Tim loves family, history, freedom, and country. He is passionate about the mountains, this valley, the land, the wildlife, this small town way of life. He was born in Tennessee on the family farm that was deeded to an Austin ancestor in the 1780s. The land grant was repayment to American soldiers for fighting in the Revolutionary War. For more than two centuries Austins have tilled that land, cared for the soil, raised tobacco, planted row crops, operated a dairy and raised generation after generation of kids.

Grandpa Tim

Read more about Tim

In 1970, Tim’s family moved to Paonia, he fell in love with Western Colorado. In high school he grew to love combat sports and excelled at wrestling, earning a state championship and many opportunities to coach in the following decades. Growing up in a small town, kids learn to work. They learn to live life with adventure and courage. And they learn that the richness of life is found outdoors, especially in the mountains. Exploring, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, boating, coaching, logging, riding, mining, spelunking, climbing, shooting, sight-seeing, golfing, gardening, and building are but a few of the activities a kid can immerse himself in. Boredom was never a thing.

Off to college in Oklahoma, Tim earned a degree in Business management. In a manner of speaking, he is a serial entrepreneur. He has started several businesses, designed and built custom homes, bought and sold businesses, bought and sold real estate of all kinds and helped several friends start and manage their own businesses. The heart of business is to serve people well. The soul of enterprise is helping your fellow man. Ladies and Gentlemen Serve Ladies and Gentlemen.

Of all his experiences in life, having kids tops them all. Taylor, William, and Avery were all born and raised in Colorado. Tim loved coaching all their sports teams, teaching them to hunt and fish, taking them snowmobiling, climbing 14ers, and taking his kids to the weekend cabin in Salida to let them experience all kinds of outdoor sports. He loved the role of “Dad” most of all.

As a writer, Tim helps other men with ideas on raising kids to be strong healthy adults, Raising Boys to be Rugged Gentlemen was his favorite writing project. Unlocking the Inner Honor Code of Men is a book that helps young men understand how to act honorably in the world but more importantly, it reveals to young women how men think, how they view relationships and how they interact with other honorable men.

Tim’s passion is sharing his little slice of heaven with his guests. Come sit a spell, soak in the mountain views, sip a cognac, smoke a cigar, and talk about what makes life worth living. You might find Tim to be one of the most grateful and most curious people you have ever met.

Tim & Heather

About Heather...

Heather, hailing from Northern Maine, found her way to Colorado in 1998. Raised among industrious folks like loggers, potato farmers, and fishermen, she was drawn to Paonia for its reminiscent farm community and tight-knit atmosphere. With a background in floral design and business management, Heather ventured into entrepreneurship by owning a restaurant in Ouray and managing a private ranch near Aspen for over two decades. Her skills span hospitality, horse riding, culinary expertise, and real estate investment.

Heather’s finesse complements Tim’s rugged expertise, as they collaboratively craft their mountain retreat, Fort Austin. With Tim’s construction prowess and Heather’s decorating flair, they’ve transformed rustic spaces into refined havens named after their children and grandchildren. Their collaborative spirit symbolizes a “Field of Dreams,” a welcoming haven for family. Notably, their compatibility was evident from the start, accentuated by Heather’s possession of a 35hp Massey Ferguson tractor – a unique and charming asset that adds to their story of shared endeavors.

Read more about their family & inspiration for the property

Fort Austin cabins and apartments are named in honor of kids and grandkids.

Tim’s oldest son, Taylor, played football at Concordia University. He lives in Kansas City with his wife, Katelin, and their two kids, Tucker and Oakley. Taylor is a regional sales manager with Continental Tire. Taylor was an all-state football player in high school, his athletic scholarships paid for much of his college education. He has learned the corporate grind and has floated to the top in his career, just like he has done with everything else in his life. Katelin is a great mom and excellent schoolteacher, having restarted her career after raising two kids to school age. Their kids, Tucker and Oakley, are the best!

Tim’s middle son is William who graduated from Colorado School of Mines and is in law enforcement with the Washington State Patrol. In high school Will was an all-state football player, all-state wrestler and all-state hurdler. He and his wife, Lindsay, live in Port Angeles, WA. Lindsay was a record setting sprinter in high school and is an accomplished photographer and full-time mom. They have two boys, Benaiah and Sawyer. Benaiah is my little helper sometimes, in cowboy boots and shorts, the boy runs everywhere he goes.

Avery is Tim’s daughter. She graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2020 with a degree in Hospitality Management. She is an excellent event planner and organizer. As she figures out what she wants to do with her life she has dabbled in church ministry, coffee house management, and youth ministry. She lives in Fayetteville, AR where she works as an event planner with the University of Arkansas.

Macy is Heather’s oldest; she attended school in Paonia all the way from kindergarten thru high school. She was an all-conference cross-country runner in high school. Macy went to Fort Lewis College in Durango. She has worked in banks and casinos, but she returned to Fort Austin last year as our primary cleaning contractor. Macy is artistic and loves spending her time outdoors.

Ben attended Paonia schools k-12. He was also an all-conference cross-country runner. He serves in the Coast Guard reserves stationed in Coos Bay, Oregon after a 4-year enlistment. He is a journeyman electrician and is an assistant manager of a private dude ranch above Aspen. He can repair just about anything, maintain just about anything, or build just about anything. He loves climbing, hiking, dirt biking, running, fishing, and anything outdoors. Tim was Ben’s wrestling coach at Paonia High School long before he and Heather met.

About PJ...

Avery talked me into adopting a shelter pet 6 months before she went off to college. You will never guess who ended up with the pup.

PJ is an integral part of the staff at Fort Austin. His primary skills lie in farm security, greeting guests, patrolling the property, and keeping squirrels and marmots in line. He also has to clean up after the UPS guy who seems to drop debris shaped like milk bones. The chickens often need direction because of their haphazard behavior that requires a great deal of herding.

Soon after Avery departed for college, PJ was patrolling the neighbor’s farm, warding off all intruders. Except one. He was caught by a mountain lion in the neighbor’s driveway. The neighbor saw it all happen. Miraculously, two days later PJ showed up on the porch gravely injured and barely able to crawl. He was unrecognizable. After two weeks of excellent care by the local veterinarian, he was able to come home. He doesn’t patrol the neighbor’s farm anymore. The only permanent damage he suffered was a couple scars on his face and PTSD related seizures. His meds seem to help him control the seizures.

PJ

PJ loves guests, loves playing with friendly pups and loves keeping all the inhabitants of the farm safe. He is a great little pal; he loves to go with me everywhere. When I am working on a project, he is always close by, supervising, from the shade.