In the winter of 2019, Amarillo’s Matt Dietz purchased the historic Pioneer Lodge in downtown Red River, acquiring the place just before the annual Red River Mardi Gras in the Mountains celebration.
Built in the 1920s and operated for over 30 years by Dolly and W.A. Johnson, the property, which once included a stables for horseback tours, consisted of 18 cabins which have served for years as monthly rentals for locals, a roomy house which also contained an office, a small trout fishing pond and a railroad caboose on Main Street. The place was “a great buy” but was, to put it mildly, in need of some renovation.
Dietz was up for the task. The owner of Rebuilders Amarillo, rebuilding and refurbishing is his line of work. After an initial cleanup of the property the work began. As of summer 2020, eight cabins for nightly rental have been renovated, as has the house. He’s working on restoring the pond which has become an interesting challenge, but has been focused on transforming the caboose into the Steam Coffee and Tea Co. That included the addition of a pergola – an outdoor, shaded seating area with a great view of The Face of the ski area.
“The big focus has been putting the coffee shop in and getting it to the place that it runs as a legitimate business to serve the community separately from what’s going on with the Pioneer, but also serving the property. What we’ve been doing is creating an experience which is as much a part of what the Pioneer Lodge is as much as what Red River is.
“When you stay in the Pioneer Lodge you’re staying in a place that offers the coffee shop, that offers the pond, and the amenities and features that any good, quality lodge or hotel property should have.”
Speaking of the Lodge in general, Dietz says, “We have tried to maintain the historic aspects, but added the things that visitors are used to when they are home so that they feel comfortable in Red River.”
Last year he focused on the interiors of the rooms. He says the focus this summer is on the exteriors and the beautification of the property. “We did some of that last year with the painting and exterior repairs on the units, but now it’s more about vegetation, the landscaping and the serenity of the property.”
The pond has been an issue.
“Last year we tried to line it, but within a week, we broke seal and within two days, the pond drained. We decided this summer to not have that issue again by putting in a polypropylene liner. Then we’ll get it stocked as a fishing pond, an amenity for guests.”
Dietz has plans to add another pergola by the pond which will have a view of both the pond and The Face.
“We’ve done a lot, but we still have a lot to do!”
