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The story of Heinze Park
Herman Ludwig Heinze and his wife Mary Wunder Heinze were among the earliest Rifle Pioneers, arriving on West Rifle Creek in 1884. However, they first settled in Leadville in 1882, then moved to our area 2 years later.
Herman was the first settler on Rifle Creek and so Mary was the first woman on Rifle Creek, if you don't count the Utes. Both were born in Germany, married there, and immigrated to the US.
Herman was born March 2, 1839 in Berlin. He served in three wars: the Schleisweg-Holstein war of 1864, the Austrian-Prussian war of 1866, and the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71.
Mary was born July 13, 1841 and married Herman in 1872. They did not have any children. Together they proved up a homestead and farmed and ranched. Herman took a stock brand in 1892. He was very successful and built a considerable estate, valued at approximately $8,000.
In 1906, at age 67, Herman moved into Rifle, living on 6 lots where Heinze Park is today, and was there until his death. He had no descendants so his estate was distributed to various persons and causes. His will bequeathed the 6 lots to the city of Rifle to establish Herman Heinze Park.
His will also bequeathed $2,000 to the ME church to purchase a large pipe organ, and that fine instrument, installed in 1916, is still being used in the church today.
Mary passed away May 13, 1900, at age 58 from complications of dropsy. Herman passed away December 21, 1914 at age 75, after a year long illness related to kidney trouble. Both are buried at Rose Hill.

Herman L and Mary Heinze