A former Eastern president’s Colorado vacation home was almost destroyed in forest fires sweeping over Colorado.

Daniel E. Marvin was the fifth president of Eastern from 1976 to 1983 when he left to become the president and chief executive officer of First Mid National Banks in Mattoon.

In 1995 he purchased a cabin in Lake George, Colorado as a place for his family to vacation.

“We mostly use it for myself and my wife, and obviously when the kids come,” Marvin said.

Marvin was informed about the property through Dr. Larry Williams who he had hired as the Dean of the Graduate school in the 80s. Dr. Williams had bought some property in Lake George and later informed Dr. Marvin about the small town.

Marvin said Lake George is a “Little teeny tiny town of 100 people” on the South Platt River that became the center location for fighting the fire which are less than a mile away.

Dr. Marvin and his family were on vacation in Colorado when the fires started.

Marvin said the town was evacuated and they were forced to stay at a hotel about 25 miles out of town.

After being in the hotel for less than an hour, the sheriff escorted them back to the cabin to see the house and retrieve some personal items they left behind, Marvin said.

The Martins wound up staying in the hotel for most of their three week vacation.

“We expect to go back by the end of summer,” Martin said.

For now, the town of 100 people has become a town of about five thousand three thousand of them being fire fighters and police, and the rest composed of red cross volunteers and other support personnel.

The elementary school in the town has become a temporary shelter for those who have lost their homes.

There are also tents set up around the town where all these people are staying, Marvin said.

Marvin said, as of Mon, his home was still standing.

Marvin said he is grateful to everyone who has helped with the fires.

“Our particular neighborhood did not lose a single home,” Martin said.