Knox, Founder of Colorado's 'Vail Trail,' Dies at 95

By: Vail pioneer Ella Knox, whose family founded the Vail Trail, has died at the age of 95.

Knox and her husband, George "Skipper" Knox moved to Vail in 1965. They started the Vail Trail as an advertising flier. It became the town's first newspaper.

Soon they were deeply immersed in Republican politics and local society, and she was on a first-name basis with the late President Gerald Ford and other prominent Vail and Beaver Creek residents.

Knox died Wednesday.

"Her hospitality at the dinner table was famous; she could take ordinary ingredients and turn them into a culinary delight," said family friend Jackie Higgins.

She wrote a column for the Trail, "Green Thumb Ella," with tips for creating beautiful gardens at high altitudes. Her garden at her Matterhorn home became a summer legend, family and friends remember, the Vail Daily reported.

Ella Knox was born in Dayton, Ohio, on March 25, 1912. She attended Southern Methodist University before moving to Oklahoma City, where she met her husband.

She is survived by her son, George Knox Jr. and his wife Candi Knox; her son Allen Knox; grandchildren Kolby Knox, Carolyn Knox Keep, Bobby Knox and Munsey Knox; and seven great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in honor of Ella Knox to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail.