Volume 18, Issue 26, 2005 HISTORICALLYHISTORICALLY JEFFCO JEFFCO

1 Contents

John Brisben Walker, 4 the Man and Mt. Morrison By Sally L. White

Morrison’s Second Centennial 9 By Sally L. White HISTORICALLYHISTORICALLY JEFFCOJEFFCO The Brickmaker’s House 14 By Rick Gardner

Celebrating 100 Years at 16 Lutheran Medical Center By Roberta Bhasin and Carol Salzman

The Good Eagle: Robert O. 20 Lindneaux, Painter of the West By Milly Roeder

Moving Norm’s Historic 25 Buildings By Milly Roeder

Hall of Fame 2005: 28 Connie Fox

Hall of Fame 2005: 29 Reverend Arthur Lakes

Three Town Founders on the JCHC Publications Committee North Fork 30 Erlene Hulsey-Lutz, Chair By Lee Heideman Nina Kite, Vice Chair Milly Roeder, Editor, A Small Homestead 34 Historically Jeffco By Virginia Faluso Published by Jefferson County Great Memories of Red Rocks 36 Historical Commission (JCHC) By Alex Jorgensen Volume 18, Issue 26, 2005 ISSN 1532-6047 Jeffco Landmark Designations 38 Front Cover: Nurses stand on the History of East Street 40 front porch of the Chapel of the By Rick Gardner Good Samaritan

A Dream Realized 42 This page: Morrison Town Band By Carolyn Tibbles at Red Rocks, circa 1910 Cover pictures courtesy of McIlvoy House Restoration 44 Lutheran Medical Center Volunteers By Kim Grant

Design and Layout by FinePrint Golden, CO 2 HISTORICALLYHISTORICALLY JEFFCOJEFFCO Society Historical courtesyPhoto of Morrison

3 Photos courtesy of Greg Smith courtesyPhotos of Greg

J.B. Walker and his sons by his first wife, Emily Strother Walker. Oldest son, J.B. Walker, Jr., became Morrison’s mayor in 1908. He also ran the Mt. Morrison Casino. John Brisben Walker, the Man and Mt. Morrison By Sally L. White Early Years in Colorado Catholic school in Morrison for its first session.3 uch has been written alker moved to Denver with his By the early 1890s, in 1888 about J.B. Walker, Wfirst wife, Emily Strother Walker, by some reports, Walker had returned “Jefferson County’s and young family in 1879-80. At the to New York to manage his latest wonderM man,” a visionary and time of their marriage in 1870, they acquisition, Cosmopolitan Magazine. entrepreneur who has become a were said to be the handsomest couple The last of the couple’s eight children legend of local history in the 74 in the valley in Virginia. At 23, he had was born there in 1890. Besides reviving years since his death.1 New family already attended Georgetown College the magazine, Walker assisted the records and other documents and the Military Academy at West Point development and promotion of the add a dimension to his life and and was a veteran of the Chinese Army.2 automobile and the airplane, reportedly relationships here that have been He came to Colorado at the request offering his acquaintances, the Wright little reported, and generate more of the Department of Agriculture, to Brothers, room on his estate for their lines for investigation while also demonstrate the potential for irrigated work. As part of his promotion of the helping us understand his influence agriculture in what seemed to most to automobile, he founded the Automobile on the area in the early years of the be the “arid West.” In 1884, he enrolled Manufacturers Association and, with 20th century. his two oldest sons in the brand-new his son Justin, became the first person

4 to attempt to scale Pikes Peak by auto, Casino, including the opening of the ranges, freedom from smoke; cool reaching the 11,000 foot level.4 swimming pool to the public, as early as nights in summer and bright, warm, Walker sold Cosmopolitan July 1908.7 sunshiny days in winter.” So enthused to William Randolph Hearst in 1905 Much of the property Walker a brochure the Colorado Power, for a reported one million dollars.5 He bought in Jefferson County was Water, Railway, and Resort Company soon invested his considerable profit in purchased in the name of (or turned published in 1909.9 Of the town, this the acquisition of land near Morrison, over to) his newest ventures: the public-relations piece reported that including a large area of the red Colorado Resort Co., which purchased “It will be the aim to build a second sandstone outcrops he hoped to make the Mt. Morrison Hotel/Casino; Colorado Springs to be within half popular. Enthralled with the spectacular and the Colorado Power, Water, an hour of Denver’s stores, churches, scenery of the foothills and potential for Railway, and Resort Co., a company schools and theaters. A summer or development, he turned his inventive he established for the Red Rocks winter home near enough to get to mind to new ventures. enterprise. Walker personally owned early business in Denver.” several undeveloped but platted blocks By that time, the “railway to “Mt. Morrison: An All-the-Year- at the south side of town, part of which the peak” was nearly complete, and the Round Resort” is now home to the town’s new (in company’s brochure extols the glories of the trip to alker the top (see Whimself sidebar on moved to next page). Morrison, Walker returning planned to from the east dedicate

Historic Postcard courtesy Postcard Historic with a new McKinney of Jan the Mt. bride, Ethel Morrison Richmond Incline Rail Walker, and Road on their four July 31st of children. She that year, had been his extending secretary at invitations Cosmopolitan, to 800 and prominent Coloradoans, continued Mt. Morrison Casino as it appeared around 1910. This grand hotel, to be a great built by former Governor Evans in 1874, was demolished in 1982. including the supporter governor.10 of his The grand dreams. They moved into a house on 1984) post office but most of which opening culminated two years of work the outskirts of Morrison, strategically remains undeveloped. Properties on Mt. on the steep project, but such were located at the base of his new holdings Falcon, bought for his new home and the wonders of Morrison’s climate that on Mt. Falcon. The 4,000 acres he his proposed Summer White House, during the period from October 1907 bought in the Morrison area included were also listed on the county tax rolls to April 1908, there were “only three large areas of Mt. Falcon and Red under Colorado Resort Co. ownership days and two hours during which Rocks, but it is unlikely he ever owned, by 1910.8 the workmen on the mountain side, as is often reported, “the entire town From 1906 to 1928, when constructing the ‘Railway to the Peak,’ of Morrison.”6 In 1909, he added to Red Rocks Park was purchased by the were not at work.” his holdings when he purchased the City of Denver, he worked tirelessly to Among the workers Walker property of Sacred Heart College from promote the Foothills as a destination had hired for this huge undertaking his friends, giving it a new name, the for tourists and a haven where weary were representatives of many Mt. Morrison Casino. Although this city dwellers could refresh themselves. Morrison families. Manley Sawyer, transaction officially occurred in 1909, “To the visitor Mount Tom Matthews, and others assisted according to records at Regis University Morrison offers a dry, invigorating the project, and its progress and archives, the Jefferson Co. Graphic atmosphere, the most life-giving on the challenges were tracked weekly in announced events at the Mt. Morrison continent; water direct from the snowy the Jefferson Co. Graphic throughout

5 the summer of 1908 (see sidebar). across the country to Morrison, showed The Railway to the Peak Walker also hired Morrison them the spectacles of Red Rocks residents to work on his other projects, and the Denver Mountain Parks, and From the Jefferson County Graphic from building the dance pavilion in tirelessly promoted the glories of the the Park, to hauling materials to the foothills of Jefferson County. His Manley Sawyer and Tom Matthews top of Mt. Falcon for his new home efforts won success in 1912, when he are engaged in hauling rails to the there, to stabling and caring for his persuaded the Denver City Council to Mt. Morrison Incline railroad this week horses. Single-handedly, he must have develop a system of mountain parks May 30, 1908 provided a boon to the entire local to take advantage of the refreshing economy. George “Pete” Morrison, scenery and environment of the area Over 25 men are now employed on grandson of the town’s founder, near Morrison and Evergreen. For this, the Mt. Morrison Incline railroad reported to Georgina Brown that he he is rightly known as the “Father of the and the work is being rapidly pushed and his brothers were hired to work Mountain Parks.” toward completion. About 1000 on Walker’s new “castle” home on Mt. We sense Walker’s public feet of the road grade is complete, Falcon. According to Pete’s unpublished relations touch also in a proposal to ready for the rails and ties, and a memoirs, this change the name few feet of tracks has already been would have been of the town’s post laid. The roadbed for the remainder of the distance is partially graded. about 1909- office in 1908. One cannot imagine the enormity 10; the boys Although it seems of such an undertaking without also worked on Morrison itself viewing the scene of operations and remodeling the never adopted it is well worth your while to take Sacred Heart the change, the a walk over the steep incline, which College back into post office did is to become one of Colorado’s a hotel about the become known greatest achievements in railroad same time.11 officially as “Mt. engineering. That Morrison,” and June 30, 1908 many of his this is the name A 125 horse power boiler and an enterprises were Walker used in engine of the same capacity are now doomed was not his promotions. on the ground, ready to be placed for entirely Walker’s As reported by the Mt. Morrison Incline railroad. fault. And some the Jefferson Co. July 11, 1908 succeeded beyond Graphic on July his wildest dreams. 4, 1908: The last of the machinery for the Mt. His efforts to Morrison Incline Railway arrived promote the “The name of the last week.... Not until the road is foothills led to Walker hosted Sunday concerts on Morrison post

completed will people understand White Courtesy of Sally HHT Co. postcard Historic the establishment the platform atop Creation Rock. office has been the enormity of the undertaking, or the great importance of the new of the Denver changed to Mt. attraction to Morrison. Mountain Park system; ultimately the Morrison in conformity with a petition August 15, 1908 vision of foothills parks he pioneered requesting the change. The new name guided the acquisitions of Jefferson looks somewhat better in print and it is Magician’s wand seen in County Open Space as well. Less suggestive of mountains, cool shady nooks, successful, thankfully, were several and at the same time the old name has road built to top of peak schemes in 1912, when he suggested been retained as part of the new.” to the Denver City Council that they Walker’s promotional brochure, support just a few of his ideas, in Walker’s oldest son, John circa 1909 exchange for which he would (a) carve Brisben Walker, Jr., became Morrison’s A speck of white shining on the one of the red rocks into a full-scale second mayor in 1909; his father surely distant mountain top, a slender, replica of the Sphinx; (b) recreate a encouraged his interest in shaping almost imperceptible thread Mesa-Verde cliff dwelling in another the town’s future. His tenure in office stretching straight up the mountain outcrop; and (c) build life-size models, seemed relatively quiet—he presided side—that is the first view you get in cement, of the giant prehistoric over discussions of “fixing the water of the Mount Morrison railway reptiles found in Morrison.12 way along Mill Street” as well as the continued on next page... Walker brought visitors from decision to purchase a “cerfew bell,” and

6 four dozen buckets for the use of the Power, Water, Railway and Resort Co. continued from page 6... volunteer fire department. J.B. Jr. was and another 180 acres owned by the more of an absentee mayor than may Colorado Resort Co. in the great heyday as you sit upon the broad veranda of the Mount Morrison hotel and look have been expected, although he was from 1910 to 1914. upon the lavish splashes of color with presiding, but not voting, the night the In 1925, Walker still owned which nature has painted the scenery trustees approved the extension of his almost 700 acres central to the Park. By of one of the most beautiful realistic saloon license for the bar he managed at 1927 this property was purchased by art settings in the world. the Mt. Morrison Casino.13 the park of the Red Rocks Corporation, That is the first impression— also a John Ross enterprise. Thus it was but the wonders of the mountain Dreams Suffer A Final Defeat that corporation that ended up selling pictures, unfurling with the changes the park lands to Denver through a and splendor of a moving panorama as alker’s friendship with John Ross condemnation proceeding that was you make that wonderful ascent up— up into the air, clinging involuntarily is documented by the personal finalized in August 1928. with that moving car to the mountain W As for Mt. Falcon, the lands recollections of Mary Ross Quaintance, side, make you gasp at the daring Ross’s daughter, also reported by belonging to the Colorado Resort that has placed this wonderful incline Georgina Brown. Co., including railway with its powerful and intricate The two men were the once-grand machinery in the very midst of rugged big players on the Mt. Morrison and primeval nature, lording over small field that Casino, all went the massive shape of Titan caves and was Morrison in to Frank Kirchoff upheavals, glinting in the red distorted 1910, and both no in foreclosures or sandstone in the Park of the titans doubt benefited tax sales starting below. The new road just opened from their long in about 1925. by John Brisben Walker up Mount (Kirchoff was, and productive Morrison, bringing the work of two association. according to one years to a successful finish, has given Walker’s personal report, president to Colorado one of the wonders of the fortunes were of the American modern world and has laid in the lap always fickle, National Bank in of Denver or perhaps we might say, however, and Denver.) During has tied to her apron strings a veritable the beginning of the 1930s, the jewel casket of exquisite scenic effects World War I in former Casino which the busy Denverite has been the summer of was well-known accustomed to travel miles and miles to distant mountain resorts to duplicate 1914 seemed to as the Hillcrest only in part. Inn; as such it foreshadow yet Ten miles from Denver—an another decline. continued to host 120 stairs carved into Creation Rock hour’s ride—lies a wealth of scenery The popularity of led to the platform on top. White Courtesy of Sally HHT Co. postcard Historic many dignitaries with the most commanding point the automobile and celebrities. of observation—the top of Mount also spelled trouble In 1943, Kirchoff Morrison, giving the full sweep for his great attraction, the funicular turned it over to the Poor Sisters of unimpeded, unmarred on all sides. on Mt. Morrison, and the threat of St. Francis, who operated it as St. A veritable top-of-the-world, and the war affected his hopes for a boom Elizabeth’s Retreat until 1952. Last feeling comes to you that some giant in foothills recreation. In 1916, J.B. known as Pine Haven, the building force of mythologic times, when the Titans whose caves in the stupendous Walker lost his beloved wife Ethel; just began a long decline in the 1960s and sandstone formations gleam red below, 1970s until it was lost to demolition in two years later his “castle” home on Mt. battled with the forces of the world, Falcon was burned to the ground. 1982. Mt. Falcon itself, and the “castle must have constructed that wonderful John Ross, with his company, ruins” of Walker’s grand home, were bit of almost magic railroad... the Bear Creek Development sold to Jefferson County Open Space in The walk through the Park Corporation, was there to pick up some 1973 (1490 acres in all). of the Titans, past those stupendous of the pieces when Walker’s empire Rancher Alice Rooney Derby, a formations where the very Titans began to crumble after 1918. By 1925, property owner adjacent to Red Rocks themselves might be concealed in Bear Creek Development Corp. had Park, is said to have turned down the labyrinthine caves, is the most perfect acquired more than 1,500 acres of the opportunity to purchase lands in Red foreground for the railroad that every person blessed with even the faintest Red Rocks Park and Mt. Morrison Rocks—despite the fire sale prices—on glimmer of imagination could wish. area formerly held by the Colorado the practical grounds that “cows can’t

7 eat rocks.” She did, in 1931, turn over a (land the City had previously purchased but very easy to appreciate the foresight few acres to Denver to provide an access from the Colorado Power, Water, of John Brisben Walker, who saw a need road to the new parklands. Railway, and Resort Co.), completed for land to be preserved for the future According to A.J. Tripp- the process in 1937. In the end, the and who arranged to meet that need in Addison, Superintendent of Denver City had acquired 640 acres of Red a spectacular way. Without his vision, Mountain Parks, the Red Rocks Park Rocks Park for $50,000 (plus $4,000 and the dedication of Denver Mountain acquisition was a “convoluted process.” for water rights), as well as 130 acres of Parks and Jefferson County Open Space In fact, it took visits to the courts to public access for fishing and picnicking in carrying it out, Jefferson County straighten out and finally complete the along Bear Creek all the way from would be without many of its most transfer of park lands to the City and Morrison to Idledale.14 valued natural treasures. County of Denver between 1928 and Looking out at Red Rocks Park, 1937. The final transaction, receipt as Morrison residents do daily, it’s hard For more on Walker’s exploits in Colorado of a land patent from the federal to imagine all this wheeling and dealing, and elsewhere see Historically Jeffco 1997. government for the top of Mt. Morrison

Sources: life, Margaret Walker does not give a figure for features descriptions of the “High Line Scenic the sale. It seems likely, largely because of the Drive to the Summit of Mount Falcon,” the 1 In Jefferson County, Colorado: the Colorful close timing, that this money went directly into “Famous Park of the Red Rocks,” the “Baths and Past of a Great Community (1962), Sarah his land investments in the Morrison area. Hotel at Mount Morrison,” and, of course, the Robbins gives Walker this accolade. Walker was funicular railway. It also has attached to it various a colorful and prominent character, who has 6 This quote fromThe Shining Mountains by particulars of the finances and “earning powers” frequently been the subject of articles and stories Georgina Brown (1976, p. 211) is frequently of the Colorado Power, Water, Railway, and and whose exploits in the Denver area have been repeated by other authors. Brown’s account is Resort Co. “The railway has a capacity for 4,000 thoroughly reported in local histories. Most of based partly on interviews with people who passengers a day at $1.00 each. The operating this background material is available elsewhere remembered Walker, including George D. “Pete” expenses are smaller in proportion to capacity and will not be repeated here. In the 1970s, the Morrison and Mary Ross Quaintance, and thus than those of any other railway in the world.” schoolchildren at Red Rocks Elementary wrote has an interesting personal flavor. According to These inducements seem to have been designed a play based on his later years in Morrison, after Sarah Robbins, “He had acquired many acres to attract stockholders and other investors. the death of his second wife, and his “Summer of real estate in Jefferson County, in addition to White House” was the subject of a reading to the whole town of Morrison (listed at the time 10 This date is given in excerpts from the Monday Literary Club by Eileen Ewing as 4,000 acres).” (p. 81) In fact the “whole town” newspaper stories compiled about the railroad Archibold on April 19, 1954, just to name two is today still less than 1,000 acres in size, and developments in the Front Range, page 354 of of the more obscure reports. Despite all this Walker primarily purchased undeveloped park an undocumented copy in Museum files. The attention, there are still mysteries to be solved land or platted lots for speculation. The main excerpt reads “It is the intention of J.B. Walker, and discrepancies in Walker’s past yet to be exception was the Mt. Morrison Casino building Sr., to dedicate the opening of the Mount reconciled. and property. Morrison Incline R.R. to-day, with honors befitting the occasion.” Perhaps the event was 2 Genealogical records and other information on 7 As reported by Stansell (Regis: On the Crest delayed, as Brown (Shining Mountains, p. 212) the Walker family were generously provided by of the West), this transaction took place in 1909 states that the railway was “officially blessed and Margaret E. (Peggy) Walker, granddaughter of but final payment was completed in 1915. The launched on its maiden voyage” on Saturday, Gerald Walker, the youngest son of John Brisben property (Block 15) is listed in the 1910 tax rolls August 7, 1909. Walker and Emily Strother Walker. Peggy also, in under the ownership of the Colorado Resort Co. 1985, compiled a 12-page unpublished history 11 Pete Morrison and his brothers, grandsons entitled “John Brisben Walker.” A few dates 8 Jefferson Co. tax rolls were examined for the of the town’s founder, started their film careers are still in question, however. Peggy’s account years 1905, 1906, 1910 and 1925-1930, as well with stunt roles in Red Rocks about 1908, but thoroughly details Walker’s involvement with as the Denver Mountain Parks regional map continued to do railroad, mining, and ranch jobs automobile manufacturing and promotion. of 1914, which also shows ownership. In the around the area for several years. From about records for 1925 through 1930, much of the 1916 to 1930, Pete was based in Hollywood, 3 Regis: on the Crest of the West is a thorough property is listed under “J.B. Walker, trustee” where he directed and starred in 204 films, most history of the school in all of its locations during and is annotated with the reference number of produced by his own studio, Lariat Productions. its first hundred years. Written by Harold L. the various tax sales; the two resort companies (file documents and film lists) Stansell, S.J., it includes an extensive chapter on appear to have been dissolved by that time. the years 1884-1888 when the school was known (Correspondence with one of his creditors 12 Walker’s schemes for the park reported by the as Sacred Heart College and was housed in the indicates that Walker was in Texas 1924 to 1927, Denver Post December 8, 1912. original Evergreen Hotel in Morrison. Regis working on his new road grading promotions.) Educational Corporation, 1977, p. 238 Many of the properties were evidently sold (or 13 Morrison town records, minutes of Board foreclosed) during the final years of Walker’s life, of Trustees meetings from April 1909 to April 4 Walker Manuscript when his fortune was again exhausted. He died 1911. in New York in 1931. 5 Other sources report $1.5 million. Most 14 Personal communication and records on file accounts are from newspapers of the time or in 9 The brochure,The Mount Morrison Railway at Denver Mountain Parks headquarters in reviews since his death. In her summary of his to the Peak and The Park of the Red Rocks, Morrison; A.J. Tripp-Addison, Superintendent.

8 Photo courtesy of Morrison Historical Society Historical courtesyPhoto of Morrison

Aerial view of Morrison in the 1930s. Morrison’s Second Centennial By Sally L. White County. Much has been written about Charles Pike and Jacob Schneider, the history of the community of Peter O. Nelson, Lawrence LaGrow, he excitement generated by Morrison; very little is our national bicentennial led recorded of the official Morrison’s historically minded Town of Morrison citizensT to host a town centennial itself. celebration in 1976. At the same As officials of time, they celebrated the successful any new municipality designation of the downtown area as must, the initial an historic district recognized by the “aldermen” began National Register of Historic Places. to establish an One difficulty arose. In 1876, organization and Morrison was not even a town. That some rules for the status was not official until 1906, giving graceful conduct of today’s citizens a second opportunity Town business and the to celebrate its 100th anniversary. On maintenance of order. January 9, 1906, a formal election was At the first meeting, held. Of the 69 votes cast, about the February 14th, Thomas same as in the Town’s last election, all Cowan Morrison, son were in favor of incorporation. With of founder George Collection Morrison Assoc. Pete courtesy Landmark Photo of Golden almost a half-century of history behind Morrison, was elected Thomas Cowan Morrison, shown here with it, Morrison had become the fifth Mayor. Also serving his wife Mary Esther Schaeffer Morrison, incorporated community in Jefferson were businessmen became the town’s first mayor.

9 banker John McLean, and Morrison’s other necessary beloved “horse-and-buggy doctor,” functions. Of Frank L. Luce. Local grocer F.W. course, Morrison Adams was appointed Clerk. Minutes still maintains were kept in his elegant handwritten an attorney, on script and countersigned by the Mayor. retainer. White Sally by Photo This “who’s who” of early Morrison Today, included men who continued to serve as in 1906, the the Town for decades to come. At the Board of Trustees second meeting, one week later, three still serves in a were appointed to draft ordinances for voluntary capacity, the new town and report back within still consists of one week. Government moved fast in six trustees and a those days. By March 13th, the initial Mayor, and still ordinances were ready to be published meets on the 1st in the paper, and “the stone building and 3rd Tuesdays of west of the Cliff House” was being each month as its considered as a site for a jail. early predecessors With this quiet step, Morrison agreed. Many citizens undertook the task of providing of the functions their own government and services. originally done by For the past 100 years, this town of trustees and other less than 500 population has managed volunteers— even to provide all the basic services of keeping the old government, although at times it was rickety water touch-and-go. Creative means were plant running The Morrison Town Hall, built in the 1880s smoothly—are now as a lodge hall and later sold to the town resorted to, and financial disaster by the Women of Woodcraft. was courted time and again. Today done by Town staff. the Town provides water supplies, Where once the water treatment, and sewer lines; law trustees employed and building of roads to Morrison and enforcement, a judge, and a municipal two people, today the Town employs the mountain parks. World War I, the court; planning and zoning; and about 15 full- or part-time staff declining fortunes of J. Brisben Walker members. (see article, page 4), and the nationwide economic disasters of 1929 combined Dealing with Disaster to create a downward spiral for the Town and the surrounding area. But he Town has always valued Morrison faced even more difficulties in Tits independence and that troubled decade of the 1930s. worked, often struggled, to According to one reporter in maintain it. Financial crises arose 1979, “the last time Morrison achieved immediately and today continue a flicker of fame was the infamous to plague the citizen-volunteers flood of 1938.” In fact, following on

Photo courtesy of The Horton courtesyCollection Photo of The who have served as the town the heels of a fire in 1931, back-to- government. A “boom and back floods in 1933 and 1938 created bust” cycle has been a persistent a triple blow from which the town was feature of Morrison’s economy. a long time recovering. The first flood, In the 1970s, historian Lorene which took five lives along Bear Creek Horton declared that Morrison Canyon, cost the town its railroad had always been “a working station. Already troubled and reduced man’s town,” its last 20-30 in operations by 1925, the railroad years have begun to change that gave up all service. Much of downtown One of Morrison’s town fathers, image. Morrison was rebuilt after the 1933 Lawrence E. “Lee” LaGrow, was a popular figure in town politics as The glory decade of the 1910s flood, only to face a second disaster in well as on the baseball team! coincided with the beginnings of 1938. Some buildings were restored; foothills tourism by automobile others remained vacant for years.

10 well within the memories of current citizens are times when the Town assessed extra contributions from residents to make Photo courtesy of Morrison Historical Society Historical courtesyPhoto of Morrison ends meet, or trustees made informal “loans” to keep Public Service from shutting off power to Town offices and plants. Serving Morrison then... This building at Morrison’s main downtown When Bear corner was a long-time grocery store and meat market. Creek was too muddy, word As early as February 1933, for the promised development to occur. spread rapidly; residents filled their with the devastating floods still in the Another commercial plus occurred with bathtubs and/or hauled water from future, the Town received a letter from the annexation south, to bring springs in Red Rocks Park until the the Rubey National Bank in Golden the Morrison gravel quarry into the creek ran clear again. Not so long ago, advising that there was “but 70 cents” Town’s scope. a certain trustee discharged his duties, in their account and threatening walking in late to Board meetings to withdraw the bonds backing the City Services in a Very Small Town saying “whatever you’re voting on, I account. In 1932, the Town had spent vote No!” Though more professional $136 more than revenues. It was not lthough Morrison has lost many these days, Town Board meetings can the last time: funds plummeted again of its “old-timers” in recent years, still be colorful! in the 1950s, and A once more in the mid-1970s, when a former Clerk was charged with misdemeanor theft. The Town’s fortunes took a turn to the good in the 1980s. Horton courtesyCollection Photo of The Annexing a large tract of land in the Rooney Valley brought a partner in supporting future water and sewer services and a nest egg that has carried the Town And later... For several decades, the Tabor Bar was a landmark at the same corner. It was replaced with a restaurant in the mid-1980s, over, while waiting and today is occupied by Tony Rigatoni’s restaurant.

11 Photo courtesy of Morrison Historical Society Historical courtesyPhoto of Morrison

Aftermath of the 1938 flood, showing destroyed buildings on the south side of Bear Creek Avenue. The Bear Creek Basin has suffered 22 major and minor floods since the late 1800s.

Until recently, serving as a restaurants holding liquor and cabaret original building, the Cliff House, led Town Trustee has meant assuming licenses, and four additional restaurants to its productive life as a country inn; other duties, from Police or Street permitted to serve only soft drinks. a second stone building, the “Swiss Commissioner, to manager/operator Today, “cabarets” are gone, there’s only Cottage,” or Pine Haven, fell victim of the Water Treatment Plant or one “package liquor” store, and most of to the wrecking ball in 1982. The Wastewater Treatment Plant. Trustees Morrison’s restaurants serve alcoholic Morrison Opera Co. opened its doors, faced being called out at all hours to beverages. It wasn’t until local sales tax bringing fine music to the Town Hall; deal with crises. Many trustees have put was approved in the late 1970s that from 1990 to 2003, the Morrison in untold volunteer hours to keep the significant funds began to flow into Theatre Co. provided comedy and Town functioning; today, many still do. Town coffers from these businesses. drama in the same venue. One former trustee estimates that, in In 1979, about $25,000 in sales tax Today, Morrison is home the early 1980s, the Mayor was putting supported a $250,000 budget. With to four of its former mayors (a fifth in a 40-hour week in addition to his only 150 households, property tax is died last year), and one current one, regular employment. never enough to provide vital services. Kathleen Dichter, who will preside As Mayor, Mary Poe (1992- Now, sales tax provides more than over the beginning of its centennial 98) often worked side-by-side with $350,000 toward a $1.4 million fund year. She, along with all but one of Town Office staff, as does the current for general operations; water and sewer her fellow members on the Town’s Mayor, Kathleen Dichter (1998-2006). fees struggle to support a separate Board of Trustees, will be either term- Morrison is so small in population that, utility fund. limited or facing re-election in April sooner or later, most everyone serves In the 1980s, Morrison of 2006. Thus, Morrison is likely to in some capacity. A key civic challenge experienced a bit of a renaissance, led begin its second 100 years as a Town is finding enough people to stand for by Mayor Rolf Paul and its downtown with a new perspective on its past election, a situation exacerbated by business community. Buildings were and a different vision for its future. mandatory term limits. restored to useful life; events promoted If history is any judge, the Town’s Morrison, from the first, has the glories of the small foothills town, resourceful citizens will continue to been a town built on hospitality. In a “Chamber of Commerce” even meet the challenges and opportunities the late 1940s, the Town was home to took out ads to encourage visitors of running a small town for many two package liquor operations, three and shoppers. New ownership of one years to come.

12 Photo courtesy of Morrison Historical Society Historical courtesyPhoto of Morrison

Originally Mt. Morrison Auto, Livery & Stage, then Garage, this frame building was lost in the 1931 fire. The brick building that replaced it weathered severe floods in 1933 and 1938 and today houses Morrison Carworks -- still keeping the wheels turning.

13 Brick factory in Golden. The Brickmaker’s House By Rick Gardner American West. Golden’s brick making plants shipped bricks all over the industry began in 1866 when Henry American West and Mexico. In 1890 n a meadow on the north side of Bell built the first brick works at the this fine reputation drew two prominent the mouth of Golden Gate canyon clay mines of William A. H. Loveland Denver businessmen to Golden, stands a little brick house among in the area between today’s football and Brothers John B. and William Church, Ithe trees. Although not a home from baseball fields of the Colorado School who resolved to take it to even greater the Gold Rush town of Golden Gate of Mines. Over time, many others, heights. City that its site once overlooked, it is including Loveland himself, Shiek & The Church brothers purchased nevertheless a highly important part Norris, Elisha Duncan, John J. Dillon, the existing Golden Pressed Brick of history. This was the home of those Silas Fisher, Franz Fischer, Rudolph Works at the western end of 8th Street in who ran the brickyards there, and is an Koenig, D. Charles Clark Welch, John Golden, then called Wall Street, named historic landmark that though greatly C. Hodges, and William Kulow had after farming pioneer David King Wall. deteriorated is even more greatly worth successful careers in five brick works With plants like these they made it preserving for the future. around Golden. Major landmarks, resemble the economic powerhouse of Making bricks was certainly including the Argo Smelting works, the east. They quickly set their sights nothing new for Golden when this Tabor Grand Opera House, Colorado on the 395 acres of clay and coal place materialized. It was an already fuel & Iron Works, and Union Station mining land that the company owned venerable industry, renowned across the were made of bricks. The industry’s north of Golden, where the existing

14 clay mine had about played out. They produced 10,000,000 bricks. Among which still stands on the east side of hired Edward L. Berthoud to survey places built with these bricks was the the Kilgroe construction plant along a whole new brick works, a second Equity Building in Denver. the historic Brickyard Road. Through plant to equal the original, and soon it In 1895, however, fire time, bricks continued to be made with rose where the Kilgroe Construction destroyed the plant’s southern works. fine clay from open pits, and were well- Company is today. Undaunted, Church Bros. shifted known for their refractoriness and fire Needing an on-site home for their focus completely to the northern resistance. Their blond “GOLDEN” those in charge of the place, Church works. Soon the company became stamped brick became the plant’s Bros. built the home that is the the brickmaker of choice in Denver particular trademark, though they made subject of this story. It was a unique with such landmarks as the Broadway bricks of many colors and varieties. place both in style and composition. Hotel, People’s Bank and buildings of These bricks were not only exported Architecturally it became a crossover the Denver Tramway (such as today’s throughout the west, but as far as Japan, between the Romanesque style, Old Spaghetti Factory) being built with China, Mexico, Canada, and South exemplified by its grand arched windows them. The Church brothers became America. and doors, and an early precursor renowned for their philanthropy in In the mid-20th century the of the Foursquare style, its evenly Denver as well. In time, the plant left brick works came into the orbit of the proportioned Denver Brick & 4-room floor Pipe company. plan and dormer- In 1963 the windowed roof. plant was finally Romanesque was shut down the revival of the after 73 years medieval style of operation, that presaged the bringing to a Gothic that was close a century in popular use of Golden’s in this region, successful brick while the new making industry.

Foursquare was and drawings courtesyPhoto of Rick Gardener Today, the home just beginning of its leaders still The Brickmaker’s House. to catch on. stands, almost The house itself fallen into ruin represented the brickyard’s product, the hands of the Church family and itself with much vandalism. Despite a including ornate bandwork and pressed became the Golden Fairview Pressed & large fracture, its eastern wall is kept brick of many sizes and shapes. Fire Brick Company. Despite two fires propped up thanks to a grant from At the foot of the red hogback that wiped out this plant too in 1901 the Colorado Historical Fund. It will outcrop nearby, Church Bros. built and 1915, the works were skillfully take a grand effort for anyone to take a large boarding house for brickyard kept righted and going forward under apart, move and restore this beautiful workers, a macro image of this house. manager James C. Knox. Now, the landmark with its appearance and When the new works rose, they plant’s mud brick machine, a survivor history. included large frame main and boiler of the fire of 1896, also survived the buildings and were powered by a 100 fire of 1901, and after being sold to a Sources: horsepower Corliss engine with two 60 firm in Cripple Creek survived a fire Colorado Transcript (newspaper) horsepower boilers. A rail switch was that destroyed the plant there. Once Golden Globe (newspaper) built out to the grounds, and the on-site returned to Golden, it survived the fire Jefferson County Republican (newspaper) Star Coal Mine provided fuel. Three in 1915 as well. Equally eternal was The Denver Post (newspaper) pressed brick machines had a combined the great smokestack of the continuous Rocky Mountain News (newspaper) capacity of 100,000 bricks daily, and kiln, towering 140 feet like the Bunker Denver Times (newspaper) the plant employed 195 men under Hill monument on Golden’s northern Denver Republican (newspaper) charge of secretary Benjamin Rowe horizon. WPA History of Golden, Jefferson County, CO and manager William H. Gay. Within The smokestack was taken (Foothills Genealogical Society of Colorado) a year the plant was able to turn out down after large cracks developed in it (newspaper) 200,000 bricks a day, and during 1891 in 1919. It was exchanged for another Jefferson County Property Records (newspaper) Historical Files of Richard J. Gardner the combined works of the company feature, the new Brickyard Office, (newspaper)

15 Photos courtesy of Lutheran Medical Center Volunteers Center courtesy Medical Photos of Lutheran

A surgical suite at the hospital in the early years Celebrating 100 Years at Lutheran Medical Center in terms of the open-air treatment, rest brethren. In May 1905, after receiving By Roberta Bhasin and Carol Salzmann and nourishing food that were seen as a state charter and spending $17,150 critical to a cure. for 20 acres of farmland and orchards The Evangelical Lutheran Lutheran Medical Center where LMC stands today, they opened Sanitarium Opens (LMC) in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, has a colony of 15 Tucker Tents (the “best been caring for patients for 100 years. health tent” on the market at the time) arly in the 20th century, tuberculosis As the only hospital in Jefferson County, and two houses, naming the collective Ewas one of the most destructive, its physicians, staff and volunteers The Evangelical Lutheran Sanitarium. widespread diseases known to man. remain deeply committed to providing The Blue House, still a beloved part of No other illness caused more deaths. superior health care services to the the LMC campus, contained a reception In this country, sufferers, known as community. It all began in 1905. area, the superintendent’s office, and “consumptives,” flocked to Colorado With an estimated one-third of eight beds upstairs for the most seriously seeking the benefits of its high altitude the state’s population afflicted, 15 local ill. Monthly fees for patients were $35 and dry climate. Some claimed that Lutherans met in May 1903 to discuss if they were able to care for their own no other place on earth promised more providing care for their tubercular tent, $40 if staff maintained the tent

16 and $50 for those who occupied one of charitable gifts. It had a flat roof for years comprised mostly bed rest, fresh the beds in the Blue House. heliotherapy (sun care), and screened mountain air and sunshine. Patients, The sanitarium was near the porches to facilitate the flow of the staff (many living on the grounds with terminus of the main streetcar line that ever-important fresh air. When the new their families), and volunteers (Gray stretched west from Denver. Employees facility was completed, “The San” could Ladies from the Jefferson County provided an early form of today’s accommodate 150 patients. The Blue American Red Cross), also followed a set volunteer “greeter” service, meeting House became office and laboratory of strict sanitary precautions designed to patients and their families at the station space, and soon it became a residence contain the contagious disease. These and transporting them to the hospital for nurses. “Rules and Sanitary Measures” included in open-air automobiles. Within four Lutheran Sanitarium continued the prohibition of spitting, “except in months every bed was filled, primarily to operate at capacity. In 1932, a special cups provided for the purpose with patients who had traveled to LMC women’s wing, a Romanesque chapel which are to be destroyed by burning,” from the midwest. By the end of its and a superintendent’s residence were brushing teeth “before and after meals”, first year, 56 patients had and regular “showers or been cared for. Twenty- sponge baths” as directed four left greatly improved, by the physician. Hand ten died and 22 remained. washing, critical to infection The sanitarium had proven control to this day, was also itself. required, as was the “general clean condition of the body The Tent City Evolves and clothes on entering the into a Permanent dining room.” Structure Despite the rules, it’s always been a friendly, uring its first 16 family-oriented place. As Dyears, the Evangelical a former employee of “The Lutheran Sanitarium, or San” put it, “My fondest “The San” as it was to memory is when we lived on become known, grew to the grounds and my father, 29 tents always filled to mother and I all worked at capacity. Made of wood Lutheran.” and canvas and furnished With the advent of with a stove, bed, rocking so-called miracle drugs, chair and table, the tent such as streptomycin, in was the patient’s “home.” 1944, the treatment regimen It was constructed so that changed, and the disease was fresh air continually passed Miracle drugs, such as Streptomycin, changed the under control by 1959. As treatment regimen for tuberculosis. through it year round. the number of TB patients That and rest comprised declined over the years, “The state-of-the-art therapy for San’s” Board of Directors tuberculosis. No drugs were used, but added. The Blue House continued decided to create a general hospital to patients were provided with heavy wool to be a valuable part of the complex, meet the changing needs of a changing blankets to keep them warm in the cold serving as a nurse’s dormitory and patient population. Construction of Colorado winters. Nurses washed the often providing a room or two in the new facility began in July 1960, blankets in between patients, and many which patients’ families could stay. The and Lutheran Hospital and Medical wondered how they ever got them dry, Chapel of the Good Samaritan, The Center, a community-based non-profit, especially in the winter. Blue House and one of the Tucker Tents opened its doors a year later. The name By May 1920, it was clear that remain on the LMC campus today. came from the hospital’s original ties more space was needed, so ground was to the Lutheran church, but the “new” broken for a large patient pavilion. It “The San” Becomes a hospital was independent of any church was four stories high, cost $225,000 General Hospital affiliation. and was built with money received The surrounding grounds from Lutheran Churches across the uberculosis treatment during were still mostly fields, and of the nation, the Walther League and other TLutheran Sanitarium’s first 40 original farm structures, only the Blue 17 House, a water tower and a large barn remained. The Blue House continued as a residence for nurses—always wearing caps designating the school where they’d been trained and complying with a dress code requiring white dresses, hose, shoes and full slips. After being used for storage for another 19 years, the barn was razed. The water tower, just south of the Blue House, held water from several wells on the property and that system continues as a source of irrigation for the grounds today.

The New Hospital’s New Patients…and New Volunteers

nlike the adult out-of-towners Uwho were “The San’s” first patients, Lutheran Medical Center’s early patients were mostly local, and they were young. The first was a six year old needing a tonsillectomy. The first baby was born just a few days later. Treatment of tuberculosis was comprised chiefly of bed rest, fresh air and sunshine. As the patient population changed, so did that of the volunteers. In 1961, three hundred applications Cross Gray Ladies. In addition, they expand to serve the community with were received when plans were took on fundraising, operating a Thrift modern equipment and adjacent offices announced to organize the Lutheran Shop in a cottage south of the water and medical buildings on a now 100- Hospital Auxiliary. The new volunteers tower. acre campus. By 1965, 31,000 total worked with patients alongside the Red The hospital continued to patients were admitted—the equivalent of one member of every household in Jefferson County— and LMC became known as the first hospital in the Denver area that promoted patients receiving the best care possible. In 1973, dedication ceremonies were held for an eight- story, $11 million dollar addition, increasing the capacity of the hospital to 400 beds. The new structure also Various equipment used in the early years included a new

18 lobby, cafeteria and retail shops to serve in the Emergency Department; equipment and procedures, patients, employees and families. demanding detailed attention and In 1978, the Blue House • A new Emergency Department flawless communication. Last year, as nurses’ dorm was closed, and opened in 1993; the Medical Imaging and Emergency the building was turned over to the Departments added state-of-the- Volunteer Services Department. After • A new Women’s Center opened in art equipment capable of showing undergoing extensive renovation and 1996; physicians detailed cross-sections of redecorating to restore it to its Victorian bones, organs, body tissues and blood best, the house became the new location • LMC, Saint Joseph Hospital and vessels—diagnostic tools their turn- of the Thrift Shop and the work area for Exempla Medical Group formed of-the century predecessors could only the Crafters — a group of volunteers the Exempla Health Care System in dream about. As one employee puts it, whose sewing and knitting projects 1998; “About the only thing that hasn’t been are still sold in the Gift Shop and who moved and improved is the chapel.” provide knit caps for LMC’s newborns. • Lutheran Breast Care Center Eventually garage sales became the opened in 2001; Today, Lutheran Medical “thrift Center is shops” of recognized as choice, and one of the Top the hospital 100 Hospitals Thrift Shop in the nation, closed in and it enjoys 1984 to the prestigious reopen a Pioneer year later as Award from popular The the Jefferson Blue House Economic Tearoom and Council for Consignment leadership Shop. and economic Over impact in the next 20 the county. years, the But LMC tables at the physicians, staff Blue House and volunteers often served are not resting as sites for on their dreaming At different times throughout its history the Blue House has served as laurels. Future and planning superintendent’s office, laboratory, nurse’s dormitory and tea room. plans include dozens of expansion of innovative Centers in centers and services designed to increase • A new Heart Center and a new Excellence in Cardiovascular, Cancer, LMC’s contribution to the health and Intensive Care Unit opened in Orthopedics, Women’s Care, Pediatrics, healing of the community. Among the 2003; Behavioral Health, Trauma, Imaging, most significant are: Surgical Services, Long-Term Care, • Also in 2003, the Radiation and Primary Care and Stroke. A new • Colorado Lutheran Home which Oncology Center expanded and hospice residence, Ambulatory Surgery became part of the medical center the Emergency Department, now Center and additional critical care beds in 1987; a Level III Trauma Center, became are also coming on line. The Tea Room the second busiest in the Denver having closed, even the Blue House • West Pines, a behavioral health metro area. eagerly awaits its next transformation, facility which opened in 1988, the anticipating a patient-oriented role in same year LMC first partnered with The progress that brought ELMC’s next century of health and The Children’s Hospital to open the eradication of TB half a century healing for people in Wheat Ridge, a Pediatrics After Hours Clinic ago continues to bring more complex Jefferson County and beyond.

19 The Good Eagle Robert O. Lindneux, a Painter of the American West

Photo courtesy of Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum Memorial Bill courtesyPhoto of Buffalo

Lindneux above Bryce Canyon

By Milly Roeder life-sized painting now at the museum. this time were the romantic Proud In his other works, Lindneux Mother, a mare and her foal leaning huge painting of Col. William depicted the infamous Sand Creek out of a barn window in trompe l’oeil Frederick Cody opposite the massacre with white and United fashion, or the nostalgic Rolling a entrance to the Buffalo Bill State flags hoisted in the Arapaho Pill (1922) of a cowboy on his horse, MemorialA Museum distracts the visitor 2 and Cheyenne camps and recreated making a cigarette by hand. Probably who wants to buy a ticket to view the allegorical scenes of a cowboy driving the most imposing of Lindneux’ museum’s fascinating artifacts. Visitors cattle across a river in the painting depictions is Death, the Victor, in which to the museum on Lookout Mountain Chisholm Trail in 1926. The site of his Death appears in a fantastic uniform. above Golden know that Buffalo Bill picture of the battle of Beecher Island in The rider’s right hand is holding a sword was the famous buffalo hunter for 1868 southwest of Wray is listed on the pointing to the sky. A tight helmet the U.S. Army, a rider for the Pony National Register of Historic Places. The encloses his skull. On top sits a stylized Express and the organizer of the first Rocky Mountain News had reported on eagle from which a shroud dramatically Wild West Show. However, most of August 1, 1926, that “Major General A. flows down the rider’s back to the them don’t know that the painter of Forsyth and a little group were besieged horse’s backside. In the background dark that picture was the prolific Robert by the much superior force of Cheyenne storm-clouds float over classical ruins, Ottokar Lindneux, who created over and Sioux Indians.” The painter “used temples and pyramids. The middle- 1 2400 paintings during his long life. He the portraits of veterans and faithfully ground shows the ruins of battle with was popular for his paintings of western reproduced the geographical contours of canons and other war paraphernalia as landscapes, animals, and for his portraits the battle site.” Then Lindneux invited the horse tramples over fallen soldiers of of Indians. Lindneux’ friendship with local settlers to improve the picture with diverse nationalities and dictators, such Buffalo Bill lasted from his visit in 1892 details. Another of his works tells the as Stalin, in the foreground. at Cody’s Wild West Show in Paris until story of The Lure of Gold (1927) that The little that is known after the hero’s death in 1917, when brings death and misery to its victims. about Robert Ottokar Lindneux’ early Lindneux memorialized his friend in the Some of his other popular works during life is contained in an incomplete

20 “Manuscript”3 he wrote sometime Lindneux and his European teachers, Bill Cody’s Wild West show there. He later in his life. He was born in New however, adhered to artistic Realism at got to know the popular, eccentric York City to French-Swiss parents on the turn of the 19th century, selecting and elderly Rosa Bonheur, a French November 12, 1871. Two older siblings historical parts of events and integrating painter of animals, and Henri Toulouse- died as small children before he was them in their allegorical art. Lautrec, famous for his lithographs born, and his mother succumbed to The sixteen year old Robert of late 19th century Paris nightlife.7 childbed fever in 1874. After his horse- boarded a boat to Bremen in 1888 Bonheur’s life size tableau of Buffalo loving father died in an accident caused and continued the last 200 miles of Bill Cody, a supplier of bison meat for by a horse running away in 1876, his his travels to Düsseldorf by train. For railroad workers and the organizer of father’s younger sister, Lucille fulfilled lack of a modern day taxi, a droshky, a the first Wild West show in 1883 in a promise to her brother to take care of rented horse-drawn carriage, brought New York City, inspired Lindneux to the orphaned 5-year return to America and old boy. When his paint the scenes of the aunt was widowed, American West.8 But first Robert showed his he resumed his studies gratefulness by taking with Vautier in Düsseldorf care of her until her for some time. His own death in 1894.4 growing success became Lucille apparent in 1893, when encouraged her young Lindneux’ painting “The nephew to draw birds Forest of Fontainebleau” and other animals, was shown in the Salon and provided tutoring de Paris. A year later, the for the emerging student painter moved artist. Instruction in Museum Memorial Bill courtesyPhoto of Buffalo to Munich, the center French and German of Jugendstil, German by Aunt Lucille proved Art Deco, where Franz valuable later when he von Stuck represented followed the advice of Gesamtkunstwerk or total his art teacher, Miss art work and became Matilda Lehmann, to his teacher. The young go to Europe to study. man admired Stuck’s Lucille arranged for allegorical depictions, Robert to enroll at which contained nudes the Art Academy in and mythical figures. Düsseldorf, Germany, Thursdays were Stuck’s where his father’s regular “correction days” Swiss friend, Benjamin when students showed Vautier, taught genre their work to the master painting and German for critique. One Thursday folklore. A hunter rescues a poacher from an enraged Stuck praised Lindneux’ Genre mother bear in a Lindneux painting. creations and suggested painting had been that he paint Indians. practiced by the The Hungarian artist Ancient Greeks, was brought to its the potential artist to his new living Michael Munkascy, in Düsseldorf since highest point by Dutch painters in quarters, all expenses paid by Aunt 1868, painted mostly large format the 17th century and declined in the Lucille. The student then began his portrayals of the morals and customs late 19th century.5 Combined with studies under Benjamin Vautier. of the time which Lindneux later seems realism, genre painters would specialize While in Europe, Lindneux to have emulated in his own large in one kind of their craft by precisely sold his paintings quickly, and with the paintings. Munkascy moved to Paris portraying everyday life, the life of money earned, he traveled throughout four years later, where he created mainly peasants, craftsmen or of market scenes. the continent and refined his art. In religious and historical paintings, but Critics rejected genre painting for its 1890, he enrolled at the Ecole des Beaux also small landscape scenes. Lindneux lack of religious or mythological motifs.6 Arts in Paris and in 1892 visited Buffalo met Munkascy there in the early

21 1890s, and the master introduced him photographs in 1991, a treasure trove “Denver (is) too civilized; real stuff is in to the complexities of mixing colors for researchers of the history of the Billings, a regular cow town.”10 He then effectively.9 Lindneux then joined a ranching life, which by themselves followed his longing, visited the Crow group of students who followed this demand analysis. Indian Reservation near Billings in 1902 teacher to Budapest to assist with Winters were dedicated to the and sketched Indians. the painting of the artist’s immense actual work of painting in Lindneux’ To promote his works in representation of “Arpad,” a heroic studios at Denver and Pahaska Teepee Denver invited audiences watched the Hungarian prince of the 9th century. on Lookout Mountain. Elaborate handsome man in his painter’s frock At the outbreak of the Spanish- sketches he had drawn with the aid of composing pictures at places such as American War in 1898, Lindneux binoculars and photographs he had the Daniels and Fisher stores. Lindneux was ready to return to America. He taken in the field now served him as indulged in having his picture taken at pondered joining the Army to fight models. But selling them was harder other occasions, as in front of a colossal for his country. But he rejected that then expected. cactus or Bryce Canyon. A photograph idea, and the resilient from the 1950s shows him in and versatile young man a cage with a mountain lion in boarded a boat to work the Denver Zoo to complete a cattle during three weeks of painting of that animal. glorious weather crossing He maintained never the ocean. to have used props for his In Boston, creations, yet he seems to have Lindneux found work made at least an exception for at a grocer’s and for 50 his life size painting of Buffalo cents plus supper cleaned Bill and his horse Isham after the cellar. He celebrated the hero’s death, when he German Christmas with supplanted a model horse his new friends Lena and for the real thing. The Sioux- Fritz Herman and visited Ogallala bestowed the title the town’s museums and Museum Memorial Bill courtesyPhoto of Buffalo “he who is painting with his art galleries. When he had hands” on Lindneux for his painted a portrait of his painting of the Indian Chief boss’ wife, more orders American Eagle. for paintings turned into Once, the ravages lucrative business for the of a wildfire on Lookout next nine months. Mountain, ignited by Lindneux, then abandoned ambers that approaching the age of destroyed the surrounding 30, headed to the western landscape. His concerns states, where he worked for the environment are as a cowboy to earn a manifested in a triptych that living. He learned the is vividly reminding us of rancher’s trade during the menace of unrestrained the summer months and, fires in our own days and the between 1915 and 1920, devastating effects that can be took impressive black- caused by careless picnickers. and-white photographs Lindneaux in front of painting of Buffalo Bill Cody, 1926. He also seems to have been of hunting expeditions, troubled by the wasteful round ups and frontier slaughter of buffaloes shot festivities, or of visits with the Ogallala The newcomer Lindneux was by Buffalo Bill – he killed 4280 buffalo Sioux, Cheyenne, and Crow Indians in surprised by Denver, which did not in eight months – to provide meat for Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana. present itself as the expected western 1200 hungry railroad laborers. He sold sets of his photos to travelers. city, but instead with ragged and poor Lindneux traveled to eastern The Western History Department of Indians on sidewalks and street corners. cities, hoping to entice viewers of his the Denver Public Library, purchased Nevertheless, he bought himself a dust canvasses to visit his beloved West. It is four volumes with hundreds of his colored western Stetson hat and wrote, not known whether he succeeded with

22 his invitation, yet on one of these trips in 1916, he met and married Gertrude Tenzer, with whom he had a daughter, Marcella, in 1921.12 World War I began for the U.S. in 1917, but already two years before that business was not good for commercial art. So in 1921 and long before the Great Depression set in and at what in today’s terms seems the relatively young age of fifty, he “turned over,” or may have sold, the entire collection of his paintings to the State Historical Society, when Library Call # Z94 Public courtesyPhoto of Denver subsequently he appears to have been quite productive until his very old age. When the Depression arrived in 1936, like other renowned artists in the state, Lindneux followed the invitation Photo by Lindneux at Valley Ranch Frontier Days, Wyoming, August 18, 1917. of the Colorado State Historical he was interviewed by Society and the Berliner Illustrierte the Fine Arts Nachtausgabe or Project by the “Berlin illustrated Work Progress Evening News.”13 The Administration reporter reiterated and painted Lindneux’ tale of the scenes and Great Spirit allowing people of him to magically create Colorado’s past. the life-like Indians. At age When the Indians saw 67, Lindneux the completed picture, toured Germany Library Call # Z-237 Public courtesyPhoto of Denver they, unfamiliar for ten months, with such realistic in 1938, and reproduction, are stopped in said to have slowly Photo by Lindneux of Billings Roundup, 1916. Berlin, where stalked on their toes toward the rider on the canvas and tried to touch him on the white horse that, to their surprise, did not move. The Sioux-Ogallala admired him so much for his artistry that they made him their honorary chief, an honor only few “pale faces” ever achieved. By the 1930s, genre painting continued to be the trend in the United States, and Modern Art in Denver, including his contemporary the painter John Edward Thompson, Photo courtesy of Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum Memorial Bill courtesyPhoto of Buffalo was viciously attacked by critics. Lindneux continued to be satisfied with conservative art forms in Europe. In his opinion, only the French liked ultra Lindneux at Buffalo Bill’s Grave. modernistic forms. Thus the apolitical

23 artist welcomed a cowboy-minded altering his pose and made it difficult pictures on the way. Germany and approved the removal of for the artist to draw his subject, During his many years of “degenerate art” from galleries that the requiring more time to complete the study and travels in Europe, Lindneux ruling party had branded undesirable in sketch than the few hours it would may have adopted inspiration for his their exhibit about Entartete Kunst just normally have taken him. Yet these own work. Despite his production of prior to his tour. drawings enabled Lindneux in 1926, immense numbers of paintings, his On his return to Denver in the chosen one of twenty well-known depictions of the living form, human 1938, Lindneux seems to have relished painters, to memorialize Buffalo Bill or animal, always remained rigid and receptions celebrating in the manner of his his work. The Denver American contemporary Post exclaimed on July genre painters,14 whose 23, the “realist with portraits of people don’t a classic technique convey feelings. Cubs ... and his pictures tied up to be stolen by a were given a most hunter from their mother surprising welcome.” bear appear like stuffed Only a week later, on animals to the modern August 1, the Rocky viewer, and two horses in Mountain News a painting titled “Stolen raved about the “great Sweets” both hold a carrot reception” Lindneux in their mouth, the green received in Europe ends sticking out to and specifically in one side. Germany. Lindneux’ paintings

Photo courtesy of The Nate SalzburyNate Collection, DPL call #NS34 courtesyPhoto of The Foreseeing are preserved in numerous the eventual passing Lindneux’ completed painting of Buffalo Bill Cody is galleries and museums of William Cody, transported by the Shriners up the Lariat Loop. in the American West.15 Lindneux made Although he painted sketches for the portrait of the living Cody in his own life-size picture after until 1963 at age 93, Lindneux’ last Buffalo Bill in 1916 at the bar of the the hero’s death in 1917, for which he exhibition occurred in 1959. After a Irma Hotel in Cody, Wyoming. The was awarded $10,000. To display the long life of depicting western landscapes painter recalled later how Buffalo Bill picture at Pahaska Teepee on Lookout and animals, and portraying Indians Cody continuously interrupted him by Mountain, it took a group of Shriners and his revered friend Buffalo Bill Cody generously inviting guests to drink to to transport it up Lariat Loop on the artist, adventurer, cowboy and their hearts’ content. Cody thus kept a green-painted truck while taking wrangler died in 1970, 99 years old.

Sources: 5 Schneider, Norbert, Geschichte der 11 Encyclopedia Britannica, 2004 1 My sources came from various issues of The Genremalerei, Die Entdeckung des Alltags in 12 Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News der Kunst der Fruehen Neuzeit, Darmstadt: Harmsen, page 22 between 1922 and 1961, too numerous to all Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 2004 13 be listed here. I want to thank Al Huffman Berliner illustrierte Nachtausgabe, January 28, 6 for his generous assistance with information, E. H. Gombrich, The Story of Art, London: 1938 innumerable newspaper clippings and Phaedon Press Limited, 1950, 1995 7 14 photographs. Steve Friesen of the Buffalo Bill Samuels, Peggy and Harold, The Illustrated Flexner, James Thomas, Nineteenth Century Museum deserves my thanks for his assistance. Biographical Encyclopedia of Artists of the American Painting, New York: G. P. Putnam’s Translation of excerpts from Berliner illustrierte American West, Garden City, NY: Doubleday Sons, 1970 Nachtausgabe, January 28, 1938, is my own. and Company, Inc., 1976, p. 289 15 MR. The Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, AR 8 Harmsen, Dorothy, “Harmsen’s Western Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, WY 2 Labode, Modupe, New Deal for Old Stuff, America,” Denver, CO: Harmsen Publishing Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum, Golden, CO Colorado History Now, May 2005 Company, 1978, 1971 Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, TX Colorado Historical Society, Denver, CO 9 3 Lindneux, Robert Ottokar, typewritten Forrest, James Taylor, Director, Gilcrest Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK manuscript, August 23, 1990 Museum, undated brochure. Great Plains Art Museum, Lincoln, NE Sangre de Christo Arts Center, Pueblo, CO 10 4 RMN 1-14-1923 Lindneux, Manuscript Woolaroc Museum, Bartlesville, OK

24 Photo courtesy of Norm Meyer courtesyPhoto of Norm

The barn pushes the big Kenworth truck skidding down a muddy hill. Moving Norm’s Historic Buildings By Milly Roeder and so the only solution is to move One question is the condition the building to another place. These of the buildings; with modern methods, reservationists don’t like the idea reasons to move something seem to be can they be moved without falling of moving a historic structure acceptable. apart? When asked later, Bill Davis, the from its original location But serious issues raise their structure mover, replied that historic toP a new one, because of the often heads. Although the history of house buildings don’t fall apart and are moved irreversible changes it entails. Last moving reaches back to London in more easily, because they are better built September Norm Meyer and his son 15982, the technology of moving big than later ones. And today, buildings Norm II had to answer the question objects goes back to Stonehenge in preferably are moved in one piece rather of how to preserve their two historic southern England about 3500 to 5000 than be taken apart to be reassembled buildings, an 1870 log cabin and a years ago when stones were moved on on the new site. 1913 log barn, on the former Lubin- land. The stones were placed on a series What does it take to prepare Blakeslee Place.1 The land on which of tree trunks, and while the stones were a house for such a difficult job? Will the structures stood had been sold for pushed and rolled, a trunk became free it lose its integrity, the fitting into its the construction of a shopping center. at the end of the trunks and was placed environment? And will the new setting The new owner of the land could not before the one in front. This long and be appropriate and compare with include them in the design of buildings hard process continued until the final the old place? These are some of the on the property and they had to go. place for the stones was reached. The questions historic preservationists Structures may be moved like Romans, at the time of Christ, may would ask. an antique chair to make room for have moved obelisks in a similar fashion Norm Meyer and Norm something new, like new development from Egypt to Italy, although the II had the courage to wrangle with in the old place. Sometimes structures Mediterranean Sea had to be navigated these questions. Demolition would are being moved, again like the antique also. Napoleon had taken obelisks as technically have been the most obvious, chair, to add some spice to a modern bounty from his Egyptian expedition but was out of the question. The history area. Or, short of tearing it down, a to Paris at the turn of the 19th century. of the buildings, the craftsmanship with historic building justifies preservation We expect technology to have improved which they were constructed, and the that is not possible in the old location since then. fact that Norm II had made the cabin

25 The 135-year-old log cabin is set to roll The cabin rolls on through with film crew at the ready. rain, snow and fog. his home for the last 30 years were acquitted of killing his wife, who had The buildings were found to be part of strong arguments to save both. been very ill. To have been murdered the county’s heritage that represents two Historically, Duncan McIntyre by her husband is hard to accept as an distinctive types of log construction as came to Colorado from Canada in the explanation for Mrs. Lubin’s death. remaining examples of an architectural 1860s and, together with his brother Transportation before motorized trucks style in Jefferson County. and sons, homesteaded 648 acres in the foothills in the late 19th century Looking for a moving of this area at Aspen Park between was just by horse, oxen and mule drawn contractor was soon resolved when 1869 and 1874. He had a hand-hewn wagons, and buggies. In this remoteness Norm hired Bill Davis, a third- squared cabin with half-dovetailed and harsh climate a worried husband generation structure mover and owner joints constructed on his land. Tree-ring may just not have been able to get a of Rocky Mountain Structural Movers. tests by the University of Arizona at doctor or other medical help for his At the same time, the History Channel Flagstaff dated a log cut for that project desperately ill wife. John Lubin himself searched on the internet in all 48 states from 1869. That suggests, allowing died a violent death – he was found in to find a mover of old buildings to use for at least a year to let the wood dry his bed, mysteriously shot in the head, for a proposed series. The name “Rocky to prevent shrinking later, that the neither the exact reason for which nor Mountain Structural Movers” caught cabin was built in the first half of the the date is known. The property of 140 their interest and they contacted the 1870s. The wood for the logs may have acres, the log barn, which may have owner. When they asked if he had plans been cut from first grown trees on the been built during the ownership of the to move any old buildings, he said, “as property with a more durable quality.3 Blakeslees, and the cabin, were sold to a matter of fact I do. I am about to A round-log saddle-notched barn was the Blakeslee family at an unknown move a 135 year old log cabin, located built in 1913. Because the McIntyres time. Norm and Ethel Meyer bought in a beautiful mountain meadow in the were the first owners of the property the property in 1959. foothills of the Colorado Rockies, with that became Meyer’s ranch and because The other concerns regarding hundreds of feet of tall granite cliffs in of the methods used and quality the historic buildings included much the background.” Bill said that he could applied to construct the cabin, Duncan reflection, weighing of the alternatives, almost hear the History Channel folks McIntyre may have hired a carpenter leaning to the one and preferring the drool over the telephone at the prospect to construct it for him, a customary other. The two Norms finally decided to of using his project for their show. Out practice by farmers in the eastern move the expertly constructed historical of 65 companies Bill’s was selected for United States that migrated west after structures to their main property close the moving of the structures. the Louisiana Purchase during the 19th by, about a quarter mile farther east. Bill Davis moves buildings century4. Rumors had it that the older Because the cabin had been throughout Colorado and occasionally McIntyres had been killed in their beds. recommended for listing in the in Wyoming. The farthest he has ever Interestingly, their names showed up in National Register on July 16, 2003 moved a house was 120 miles on back the 1880 Census Record. The property and the Meyers may pursue that roads between downtown Denver and was acquired by Frenchman John Lubin nomination in the future, they applied Ft. Collins. The scariest moments while in 1883, when the previous owners for designation with the Jefferson moving Norm Meyer’s log buildings appear to have moved away. John Lubin County Landmark program, which was came on the second day, when the had been accused of, and later been approved for both buildings in 2004. barn was pulled and at times slid down

26 Heavy traffic arriving at the Meyers’ Ranch site. The cabin in its new home. a wet and muddy hill. A “controlled ton barn. To reinforce and stabilize the had been built and preparations were fall” Bill called it. In his long career as walls, they were sandwiched between completed, the final bill had grown to a structure mover Bill said “I never lost wood beams, drawn together by cables, more than twice that much. The move one building.”5 and the whole thing was lifted with demonstrates how respect for local The film crew of eight people hydraulic jacks and lowered onto huge history and craftsmanship of the built had arrived from Hollywood within a wheeled dollies. heritage in the county can be preserved. week and worked hard to do the project Meanwhile, a pair of The log cabin and barn will be before September Indian summer gave paranormal mediums from Denver preserved on their carefully picked new way to winter. had been called to hold a candlelight locations, on a conservation easement Thinking of an overly wide load ceremony. Norm II used to hear on the Meyers’ ranch, to be passed on of half a modular home being moved knockings at night after lights out, to their children in the county’s future. from one place to another is one thing. so the mediums admonished the evil Because of their historical significance, Big plastic sheets that cover the gaping spirits or ghosts not to interfere or the county’s Open Space Department side are flapping in the wind. A more follow the cabin or its occupants to its granted special permission to place both surprising sight is a powerful semi- new home. buildings there. Norm and Norm II trailer, resembling a prehistoric creature All through the snapping of showed their dedication to this most that pulls an old house through a an internal cable and the truck losing demanding project for which we will all neighborhood, while its eaves brush off traction at the sharp turn, winter was be grateful. tree limbs and branches on either side. adding to the tension with mud, fog, And the preservationists will, The breathtaking move could begin. and miserable freezing rain. When we hope, be satisfied. The real test was moving the Norm observed the barn moving up log barn and the cabin from the Lubin- the hill he moaned, “Oh, I think it’s Sources: Blakeslee Place to their new environs awesome.” Bill guided the fragile load 1 Norm Meyer and Norm Meyer II contributed on the Meyer ranch. The barn was first with patience and sensitivity until even to this article to be moved. The cabin came second. he had enough and called it a day. But before all that, guesswork and Next morning, the cabin 2 History Channel video Mega Movers, September knowledge, says Bill Davis, add to sizing was safely backed on its new concrete 2004 the building and to figure out the route. foundation. The barn was moved a 3 Thompson, LaToya, Cabin Fever, Preservation, When the barn with its metal roof quarter mile away and lowered to its May/June 2005, page 74 turned out to be too tall to be moved final resting place in an aspen grove. on Highway 285 because utility wires The dog had inspected the steel beams 4 Christian, Rudy, president Timber Farmers were 28 feet above, a road builder from and accepted them, and owners, moving Guild, Workshop Stepping into the boots of the Elizabeth was called to prepare the route crew, and movie makers were jubilantly builder: Local Sourcing and Crafting of Wood and Stone, The Architectural Preservation Institute, along the remainder of the historic hugging each other and exchanging CSU, Fort Collins, personal communication Bradford and Blue River toll road. A high fives. June 20, 2005 90o turn had to be navigated onto Eagle The expenses of this operation Cliff Road. An iron framework was began with the initial quote of $34,000 5 Interview with Bill Davis of Rocky Mountain constructed to support the almost 30- for the move and, when the foundations Structure Movers, June 15, 2005

27 Jefferson County Historical CONNIE FOX Volunteer, Historian, Writer

onnie served as a volunteer and historical museum. Connie of more than 400 Edgewater structures. historian when her husband established the Edgewater Heritage Connie also worked closely was Mayor of Edgewater. Foundation to preserve, promote, with author Trina Robbins in the CShe inventoried and publishing of her book, maintained more than “Nell Brinkley and the 300 local historical New Woman in the items and established Early 20th Century.” a small museum of Nell was an artist and Edgewater history, illustrator, and the comprised primarily of daughter of Edgewater’s pioneer photographs second mayor and one and artifacts. She of its founding fathers, collected and displayed Robert Sterrit Brinkley. over 100 photographs She compiled a file of of Edgewater men and Brinkley’s illustrations, women who served in the searched for, found and military. She served on interviewed Brinkley’s the Edgewater Historical granddaughter. Connie Society and established researched and published the Edgewater Landmark a 156 page pictorial Preservation Commission book on Edgewater, to promote the history which included over and preservation of local 300 photographs and landmarks. She also numerous interviews organized and guided with members of early efforts in establishing the Edgewater families. She first three local historic passionately pushes her landmarks for Edgewater, historical philosophy, which include the Orum “You have to know where House, Edgewater you have been so you Christian Church and know where to go.” Edgewater Gateway Born and raised in Sign. Connie established Bellflower, Illinois, the Edgewater Festival Connie moved to Committee to promote Edgewater, Colorado the Edgewater 2001 in 1971. Married to centennial celebration. John Fox, she has two She coordinated efforts in solicit and encourage the historical, daughters and six grandchildren. grant funding to rehabilitate the cultural, artistic, musical and dramatic Connie Fox was elected Edgewater Christian Church to be functions of the City of Edgewater to the Jefferson County Historical used by the community for meetings, for the general public. Connie helped Commission Hall of Fame October 15, as an expanded library, city archives secure funding to do a building survey 2005.

28 Commission Hall of Fame 2005 REVEREND ARTHUR LAKES Researcher, Educator, Minister

rthur Lakes is best remembered for detail on the excavations at Morrison, and Born in 1844 in the County of discovering the Jurassic dinosaurs made sketches of the operations. Lakes Somerset in western England, Arthur Lakes at Morrison in 1877. This year is returned from Como Bluff in 1880, and was educated at Oxford University, where Athe 128th anniversary of his he became fascinated by one discovery of the first-known of the great early collections specimens of Stegosaurus, of fossil reptiles, including Apatosaurus, and Diplodocus, dinosaurs. Arthur studied as well as a specimen of at Queens College, Oxford, Allosaurus. Arthur Lakes was until 1865, when he 33 years old when he found emigrated to Canada. There the Morrison dinosaur bones. he briefly taught school He discovered dinosaurs at and later ended up at Jarvis ten sites along the hogback, Hall Collegiate School in now known as Dinosaur Golden, Colorado. He first Ridge. taught English and Latin, Joanne V. Lerud- but when a school of mines Heck, director of the Arthur opened as part of Jarvis Lakes Library at Colorado Hall in 1870 he started to School of Mines, wrote teach writing and drawing. “(Lakes) combined a wide- He also took up preaching ranging knowledge of natural in several foothills towns, science with the ability to and is listed in the 1877-78 write and draw, and has been Morrison Directories as the given the title of ‘Father of town’s Episcopal minister. Colorado Geology’, not As a distinguished only for his discoveries economic geologist, in Jefferson County but Lakes wrote numerous also his economic studies technical papers on the around the Territory and geologic resources of the later the State of Colorado. Front Range and Jefferson He inadvertently brought County. Later, he became about the ‘Bone Wars’ of a very successful mining Colorado as Lakes wrote of engineering consultant his discovery to both O. E. and was editor of Mines Marsh and E. D. Cope, epic and Minerals from 1895 rivals in the acquisition and to 1904. Lakes retired in description of dinosaurs.” 1905 and moved to British Lakes worked the Morrison from 1882 to 1891 was a professor of Columbia to join his son. There he died quarries from April 1877 to May 1879, geology at Colorado Schools of Mines, on November 21, 1917. when he went to Como Bluff, Wyoming, whose library is named after him. Lakes Reverend Arthur Lakes was at Marsh’s request. He wrote many letters also founded the Geology Museum there elected to the Jefferson County Hall of to his employer, which provide historical and established its mineral collection. Fame October 15, 2005.

29 Photo courtesyPhoto of CRRM

View of Buffalo Creek, 1880s. Three Town Founders on the North Fork By Lee Heideman Masonic building and others in Denver. the tracks with soft soap. But alas, First Prize Winner Ferndale and River View sprang up. that did not avert the railroad; and the Writers’ Award Contest Park Siding, now Foxton, Buffalo doctor sold his property in the 1880s, Creek and Pine Grove still exist with or deeply offended.4 s the Union Pacific train without businesses. The men who were Foxton is now famous for its chugged up the mountain instrumental with the beginning of historic post office. The first post office beside the North Fork of the these places are the subject of this story. was established there as Park Siding on ASouth Platte River on the narrow gauge The first record of settlement December 29, 1890 and remained until tracks, settlements popped up along at the area of Foxton was in 1876, May 21, 1896.5 The post office building its route. Construction began with the when Dr. Alvin Morey, a Confederate is now owned by the Denver Water Denver South Park & Pacific Railroad War Veteran, received a patent from Board and is in disrepair. in July 1874 and was completed by the government and settled near the The area of Park Siding was 1878.1 It operated under several hands river there. He described the area as owned by Mr. Hampden until 1908, until it was taken over as part of the being “a lush, beautiful and pristine when J. O. Roach, a businessman Colorado and Southern Railroad in valley with green grass and tall majestic from Denver, bought it. He named his 1889.2 Communities sprang up for pine trees,”3 just the kind of place Dr. property after his hometown Fox Hall many different reasons. Deansbury, Morey wanted to ranch. Soon the in England. Then he built a resort with also known as Newbury and Strontia railroad began constructing tracks a grocery store and reopened the post Springs and now drowned in the and the tranquility of his lovely spot office as Foxton on January 21, 1909. It reservoir of that name, was one of disappeared. By 1878 the tracks were in survived the dismantling of the railroad several resorts. Night Hawk on the and the trains were rolling. and lasted until 1990. main stem of the South Platte River had Then the Denver South After five minor stops the train numerous logging camps and sawmills. Park and Pacific Railroad planned to arrived at Buffalo Creek, or Buffalo as South Platte at the conjunction of construct a side spur on Dr. Morey’s it was then known.6 However, it had its the main stem and the north fork of Park Siding. He objected, but the tracks beginning long before the train came the river provided shelter in a small were built through it anyway. That his through. Buffalo Creek, above the hotel. Granite was quarried near Stone horse was killed by a train angered him creek of that same name, existed from Spur, Park Siding and Granite Spur for even more and in protest, and to keep logging in the area and the mining of construction of the state capital, the the train from proceeding, he rubbed feldspar (now known as feldspat, it is

30 an additive to quartz for the production saloons, a meat market, shoemaker, night, according to his grandson, John of glass). John Fremont surveyed and blacksmith shop, loading docks, and “Jack” Green. platted the area in 1844. He named others. John Green married Minnie it Buffalo Creek for the herd of large, In 1879, 16-year old John Green in 1881, but she died in hairy animals roaming there.7 William Green took the Denver, South childbirth and the child died soon J. W. Smith of the South Park Park and Pacific train to the Buffalo after that. By 1883, he bought the Construction Company also filed a plat area. He liked it and got off there. general store from the Morrison Timber for the town on January 27, 1881.8 The John worked in the sawmills and lived Company. John boarded with the town appeared as Sunny Vale Park in in a lean-to tent next to a large rock. Coatney family, who housed so many the Book of Plats-Jefferson County the Building a fire next to the rock until it people that the place soon turned into same year. got pretty warm kept the place warm all a hotel. Five years later, in 1887, he According to Margaret Bentley9, the “Colorado Business Directory of 1882 listed Buffalo as a station on the Denver South Park & Pacific Railroad with businesses such courtesyPhoto of CRRM as Buffalo House, F. A. Haskell, proprietor; Morrison and Co., lumber; N. H. Staats, boarding and blacksmith.” At that time the railroad owned 3,300 acres of land on both sides of the tracks. In 1887 the name was officially changed to Buffalo Creek. Crofutt’s Gripsack Guide to Colorado wrote that Buffalo Creek was said to be quite a mining and lumbering point. Some mining claims were located in 1880 with assays that ran over $7,000 per ton. During one season, there were 64 claims filed for gold, silver and galena. Some of these mines were Canada Jewel, Wild Flower, General Grant, and The Morgan. As the population increased, more businesses popped up. At one time there were ten large sawmills, Dome Rock Station, early 1880s boarding houses, hotels,

31 met Josephine Fredrica Hennix when architect Frederick Sterner to design on his horse and rode out of town. she and her friend came to Buffalo his home, which was built in 1902 The dead man was put in a wooden on vacation. He married her on New and named “La Hacienda.” 11 The coffin and hauled to the top of the hill Year’s Eve 1888 and they soon had two large complex contained a main house, overlooking the town of Buffalo. There children, Marie born in 1890 and John a massive stable, a guest house, an they dug a grave for him and buried George born in 1892. John Jr. hated the icehouse, a lodge for the caretaker and the simple coffin. John Green held the name George and later changed it to housing for the maids. In 1890, he dying man, who told John his name, William so he could be known as JW.10 acquired and remodeled the Blue Jay which was scratched on a piece of wood John W. Green first had his Inn,12 which had been built by Joseph on the grave. Later two children of one store sign read, “J.W. GREEN almost Bailey in 1880. Actually it was two family died of measles and were buried EVERYTHING.” The store was later boarding houses joined together in a there. That is how the cemetery started. named Green’s Mercantile, as it is “T.” The dining room and living room According to Ethel Meyers known up to the present time. It is the are accessed by four steps between the Culver, theological students came to oldest store in this area and has been two. The front of the building had a Pine but not to Buffalo because there run continuously by the same family. two-story porch much like the Prosser was no church. So when an Episcopal The store was first built as a Hotel in Pine Grove. It was painted minister, Reverend Frederick W. Oaks, wood frame structure in 1879, but a white and had a red roof, as was a fine looking silver-haired man with huge fire, thought a booming voice, to have been started came to Buffalo by a spark from the and consulted the train in 1898, burned Jeromes, owners of all of the buildings the cemetery land, on the north side of they donated the the tracks, including land to him for a John Green’s store. church with the It was rebuilt the stipulation that same year of granite it was to serve all blocks in the valley by faiths. “There was Dave Seerie as a 40 some hat passing” by 60 foot building. Ethel told, but little The old cash register Society County Historical courtesyPhoto of Jefferson money was gained. and wood stove with So the Saloon chairs around it were owner declared that rescued and are still in Green’s Mercantile, Buffalo Creek there would be no the store. booze served until After leaving the men had done John Green’s Mercantile store, the train discovered during a re-roofing job. a day’s work on the church. The church arrived at Buffalo Creek, which was While remodeling the main was built of native split log siding from developed by John Lathrop Jerome. building, Jerome added a green shingled local sawmills with redwood paneling He was born in Fabius, New York in roof along the front and side. When inside shipped from California. A large 1854, was principal of the Central Alex Sirois’ (Searway) family lived fireplace was built in back; as a result City Schools from 1873 to 1875, and there earlier with twelve children, Alex the churchgoers in back roasted and spent most of his life in Colorado. hand carved the stair rail and posts in those in front froze.13 He married Lucy Wright Sweetland the lobby. The Blue Jay Inn became a The first weddings recorded the next year. In 1881 he was the landmark and drew people to the area. there were in 1905. They were Florence Denver City Attorney and later became “The Little Chapel in the Hills” Twichell Tobin and then Faye Collison treasurer for Colorado Fuel & Iron brought religious people to the area. of the Z-D Ranch. On September 15, Company. In 1893 he was treasurer of It was built in 1901 on land donated 1963, a large iron bell from a Colorado Denver Public Warehouse Company by Lucy Sweetland Jerome, next to the & Southern narrow gauge locomotive and Overland Cotton Mills and later cemetery, which had its beginnings was installed on a native stone pillar just was president and owner of the mills. almost by accident. According to David outside of the chapel. The inscription In 1899, Jerome acquired Cupp of the Denver Post, “A stranger on a bronze plaque reads: “May the the area near Buffalo Creek known as came into a brawling western saloon, tolling of this bell ever remind us of “Christmas Hill.” He hired Denver one of 13,” and shot a man dead, got our moral obligation to our God, our

32 Country and our fellow men.” told the story about the time Dake it. For six weeks there was no mail. The third larger settlement on went to Nebraska and South Dakota Spencer thought that all he had to do the North Fork is Pine Grove. Charles to take care of his businesses there. A was sell stamps and keep the money. Dake, the founder of Pine Grove, young postal inspector arrived in Pine Finally, Dake allowed his clerk to take married Nancy Talbot on December 22, Grove at the post office and found the post office. 1859 and came to Denver in 1880 with Dake gone. He ranted and raved and The Colorado Business Directory his family, including two sons, Albert told Dake that he couldn’t leave the of 1890 listed 30 businesses in Pine and Ernest. He had a stage line in post office like that or he’d close him Grove, including saloons, wood South Dakota and a bank in Nebraska. down. When the inspector had finished shippers, a hotel, a drugstore, dance One day he took the family on the yelling, Dake asked if he was through. hall, butcher shop, meat market, excursion train to the mountains. The man said he was. “Well,” Dake contractors, sawmills, hardware store, Seeing a great opportunity, said, “If you don’t have this post office shoemaker, Dake’s own mercantile Charles decided to use his script, the out of here by noon tomorrow, you’ll store and the schoolhouse. Ice was cut document that he had received as a find it in the street.” The inspector on Crystal Lake for local use and was Civil War veteran to obtain 160 acres of backed down and tried to get Dake to shipped to Denver for consumption land in a lush valley beside the railroad keep it in his store, but Dake wouldn’t there. tracks. He build a resort, which he budge. The inspector went all over town The mountains were a very called The Dake’s popular place Resort Company in the summer and moved his for people family there in escaping the 1884. He platted Denver heat his town in and Pine Grove 1893 and called was quite a it Pine Grove. tourist town. Not only did By the end he run Dake’s of the 1800s, Mercantile store there were as and served as many as 300 postmaster, residents. After but he also the train quit owned Pine running in Grove Cottage 1938, Pine

Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society County Historical courtesyPhoto of Jefferson Company and Pine, Colorado Grove was Pine Grove off the main Water and Light traffic route Company. trying to get someone to take the post and began to dwindle. Maybe that is Not a lot has been written office. He finally found an 86-year old why it has kept its historical flavor and about Charles Dake, but Bud Hill14 man named Spencer who agreed to take retained many of its original buildings.

Sources: The Post Office, J-B Publishing, 1971 20, 1973; Jefferson County Hall of Fame, Jefferson County Historical Commission, Golden Colorado 1 National Register of Historic Places Inventory 6 Colorado Southern Lines schedule July – August 1928 – Nomination Form, 1974. 12 listed on the National Register of Historic Places on 7 Lombard, Dorothy, Buffalo Beginnings and through October 1st, 1974; Jefferson County Hall of Fame, 2 Rizzari, Francis, Some Dreamed of Wheels, Railroads the years – The People and Places of Buffalo Creek, CO, Jefferson County Historical Commission, Golden in Jefferson County, From Scratch, Jefferson County Book Two,1995 Colorado Historical Commission, 1985. 8 J.W. Smith, interviewed with Ethel Culver Meyers, 13 Smith, Judge Donald P. Jr., The Little Chapel in the 3 Faller, W. WRD, Family History Jefferson County Historical Society Hills, One Hundred Anniversary Celebration, August 12, 2001, Celebratory Message. 4 Lee Heideman, Homesteaders, Moonshiners and 9 Bentley, Margaret V., The Upper Side of the Pie Crust, Frontier Law, Magic Word Weaver Press, Conifer, 1978,1990 14 Bentley, Margaret V., The Upper Side of the Pie 2003 Crust, An Early History of Southwestern Jefferson County 10 Interview with James and Jack Green, Nov. 2004 – Conifer – Pine – Buffalo Creek, Colorado, Evergreen: 5 Bauer, William H., James L. Ozment and Jefferson County Historical Society, 1978, 1990. John H. Willard, Colorado, Postal History, 11 listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July

33 Photos courtesy of Virginia Faluso Virginia courtesyPhotos of

Grandparents Siljestrom, the author and her children Christine and Steven. A Small Homestead

By Virginia Faluso that had been converted into a small not homogenized, and we poured the Second Prize Winner home. Among our friends, we were cream off the top, shook it in a jar till Writers’ Award Contest known as the rich kids at Mines since it became butter. Professor and Mrs. we owned the place where we lived. Carpenter lived in the 1800 block on t was 1944, World War II was over, During this time our older Ford Street and their daughter, Barbara and my husband had returned from two children were born. Our daughter Svendsen, was one of my friends. She overseas and was ready to complete Christine experienced some medical told her mother about us, and soon Ihis education. Being “Midwesterners” problems and ended up at Children’s Mrs. Carpenter’s “egg lady” had left her from the Chicago area we were Hospital in Denver for fifteen days. too many eggs. Mrs. Carpenter sent the enthralled with the mountains, and Thank goodness for the “toonerville “extra” dozen down to us and helped because engineering was his interest, trolley” as we all called it, because we save our lives! Colorado School of Mines seemed to be could not afford a car, even if they had We used to describe the the only school for him to attend under been available – everything had gone to bedroom of the house as the width of the GI Bill of Rights. the war effort. No hospital insurance two cribs plus a doorway wide, by the The first order of the day was was available, so after we paid cash to length of a crib plus a doorway plus the to find housing. I had saved every bring her home from the hospital, we length of a double bed long. No queen penny I could while he was away, and were down to 88 cents and still eight beds in those days. we were fortunate to find a little one days to payday. Dinner for my husband When we purchased the house bedroom house at 513 19th Street and me was macaroni and cheese and there was no bathtub, but there was a for which we paid $3,500.00, yes, cost 11 cents per box. I had canned drain for one. We found one of those threethousandfivehundred dollars. This baby food on hand for the two little old timey tubs – you know the kind house was originally a one car garage ones. The milkman delivered milk, where you drown if you lie down as it

34 Photo courtesy of Joy Brandt courtesyPhoto of Joy

The house that the Siljestroms lived in as it looks today. was so long, but if you sat in it the water The Safeway store was on the husband and I met and became friends backed up in back of you because it was northwest corner of 13th and Ford. I with a couple who, by golly, came from so narrow. would put the “babies,” our boy was Golden and lived in the 400 block on The kitchen was an “all purpose just two, into the buggy and we would 19th Street. Visiting back and forth room” and we laughed some more as walk to Safeway for groceries. The trip with them, my present husband and I I was fortunate enough to be able to back uphill to 19th Street was tough, always watched the house at 513, and buy an agitator washing machine with especially for a little fellow. He now were surprised to see that last year it a wringer, and it stood in the corner of had to walk as it was necessary to place had been sold. I stopped to speak with the kitchen. The kitchen sink took care the groceries in the buggy. That was a the gentleman in the yard, told him of the cooking needs; it was the rinse tough walk for both of us and we made my story and he said he paid $122,000 tub when I put the clothes from the many stops on the way home to sit on for the house. I was shocked! washing machine through the wringer, the retaining walls along the east side of During our ownership the and it was also where I bathed my two Ford Street – the big Safeway now on kitchen door was on the west and babies. A real all purpose room! the west side of Ford was not yet built. there was a storeroom on the southeast At this time the Rogow family After graduation jobs were corner with an outside entrance. Some lived on Ford Street with their daughter, scarce because of the servicemen looking later owner eliminated the storeroom Vickie, who was a little younger than for work; however, my husband was and replaced it with a door into the our son and older than our daughter. fortunate to be offered a job with kitchen giving the kitchen more room. Vickie was allowed to come over to Colorado Fuel and Iron Co. They sent A “lean-to” type of structure was play in the yard and the children had us to Butte, Montana for two years, erected on the west side of the building a wonderful time. The yard was larger then to Casper, Wyoming for two where the original kitchen door used than at present. The Baker family on years and finally back to Colorado. to be. the southeast corner of Ford and 19th Applewood Mesa became our home – at This unique structure is bought part of the yard belonging to least we had a Golden address. now more than 60 years old and I 513 so they could construct an addition After almost 41 years of would hope that the present owners to their quarters. Consequently, the marriage my husband passed away. I would consider applying for a historic current yard is smaller than when we remarried and naturally we returned to designation for this building by the lived there. Golden. On a trip overseas my present Golden Historic Preservation Board.

35 Photo courtesy of Sally White courtesyPhoto of Sally

Titanic Rock, on the west side of the park, resembles the ill-fated ship. Great Memories of Red Rocks By Alex Jorgensen the coolest things we have in Jefferson settlement was finally reached in 1925, Youth Prize Winner County and I will dedicate this essay to when the city of Denver filed three Writers’ Award Contest it and all of its glory. condemnations against Walker and his Red Rocks is the only natural land. In 1928, Walker finally stopped am 15 years old and moved to open-air amphitheater in Colorado and fighting and sold his land of 1100 acres Jefferson County when I was it can be seen for miles1. First remarked or the inner core of the park to Denver two. Ever since I can remember, I by a man of the Hayden Survey for fifty thousand dollars. When the Ienjoyed going to Red Rocks. When in 1869, it attracted many people math is figured, it was $45 an acre plus I attended Bear Creek Elementary including the famous William Frederick the water rights. School, I could see Red Rocks Theater Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill. In 1932, the new manager of from the playground. I haven’t attended It was made accessible to what was the Department of Parks and Recreation many events there, but I have been there called the “Garden of the Titans” in and Red Rocks under Mayor Benjamin to see its beauty with my family a lot of 1906. Stapleton was George Cranmer. He times. When I was three, my family and Mary Garden sang “Ave Maria” continued plans on the open-air theater. I attended the Easter Sunrise Service. in the amphitheater in 1911 and said, Stapleton brought in architect Burnham I don’t remember a lot of the service; “This is the greatest open-air theater I Hoyt to design the theater and the however, I remember eating donuts and have ever seen.” The owner of the land orchestra pit at the natural depression of drinking hot chocolate! I want to attend during that time was a man named John the rocks. The theater needed very little again sometime, but I can’t seem to Brisben Walker. He opened a road to work and then was finally completed wake up early enough on Easter Sunday. the public in 1914. and opened to the public in 1941. I will soon see my sister’s graduation Walker began building the Now thousands of people from Bear Creek High School at Red amphitheater but he ran short on funds, visit the amazing feature every Rocks. I attend Bear Creek High School so he lobbied the city of Denver. Denver year for concerts, graduations or as a sophomore. I decided to write my was hooked on the idea. Soon the great religious events. Baptisms, christenings, paper on Red Rocks and its tremendous working relationship was turned into and ordination services were held history. Red Rocks to me is one of a huge fight with the city of Denver. A during World War II. A church service 36 is held at sunrise on Easter Sunday come to the majestic formations like morning and is what my sister Amy Film on the Rocks. My name is Alex Jorgensen. I was born called, “A spiritual event only nature can From my house in Littleton, I in Omaha, Nebraska on April 7, 1989. provide.”2 Red Rocks’ natural acoustics can go out on our deck and look at the When I was two years old, my family make the sound of the music even more mountains and see Red Rocks in all of moved to Colorado where I have now lived enjoyable to everyone. its beauty. I remember the first time I for 14 years. I will start my junior year at Many famous bands3 played visited the rocks and I was awestruck. Bear Creek High School this fall. I enjoy at Red Rocks. The most famous was I sat there in the stands at the top and playing baseball, video games and cars. I the Beatles, who played on August 26, my dad ran on stage and started talking am also active in my church youth group. 1964. The Beatles were the biggest to without the mike and I could hear him I really enjoy my own car now that I have hit this perfect theater. They sold out perfectly. I was there for a Fourth of July my license and can drive on my own. After to crowds, who were screaming for celebration and it was fantastic, the way I graduate from Bear Creek High School, I more, standing on the seats. It was the colors moved off the rocks. I was will attend Colorado State University and a monumental event. I can’t believe about five and things are very different. major in business and marketing. My goal the tickets only cost $6.00! Since the I don’t visit Red Rocks a lot but see after graduation from the University is to Beatles, music at Red Rocks has really them everyday when I go to school. My own a business. changed. In August of 1964, it was the Dad rented a Harley and went to Red Beatles and the Smothers Brothers. In Rocks in the morning to see the sun Sources: rise over the majestic rocks. I already 1974, Seals and Crofts, Johnny Mathis 1 1998-2004 American Western Magazine- and Mancini came to sing and play. In have my car and will wake up early one Read The West.com www.readthewest.com/ 1984, there was Ozzy Osbourne, Toto, morning and take pictures of the car wommackFEB2002.html Rick Springfield, Jimmy Buffet, and with the rocks in the background, so I 2 the Pretenders. In 2004, there was the don’t have to try and tell my kids what Jorgensen, Amy, personal communication, March 24, 2005 Beatles 40th Anniversary Show, Reggae kind of car I had. I can just show them on the Rocks, Big Head Todd and the pictures of it. I am very grateful that I 3 Des Moines’ Broadcasting.com www. Monsters and the Bare Naked Ladies. live in Jefferson County and close to desmoinesbroadcasting.com/kioa/ Now new forms of entertainment have Red Rocks Theater. definingmoments60skioa.html

Civilian Conservation Corps Honored with Statue at Red Rocks

What better spot than Red statue to Colorado, was pleased Rocks Amphitheatre, one of that the long effort was successful. their grandest efforts, to honor Jack Finlaw, director of Denver

Photo courtesy of Sally White courtesyPhoto of Sally the workers of the Civilian Theaters and Arenas added his Conservation Corps (CCC) with congratulations and thanks to a commemorative statue? This the members of Chapter 7 at a life-size sculpture, known as “The reception held in the new Visitor CCC Worker,” joins more than 20 Center. others in place across the U.S. For The many alums in two years, the local chapter of the attendance were delighted to be a CCC alumni has worked to get a part of the dedication ceremony; statue placed at Red Rocks; last most are in their 80s or 90s and fall their dream came true thanks their ranks are steadily thinning. to a grant from Denver’s “Preserve One such was Bill Benns, who the Rocks” fund. The statue was was enrolled in the Morrison dedicated on September 6, 2004 camp and actually worked on (Labor Day) to honor the “boys” the amphitheatre. All the men of the Morrison Camp who who gave part of their youth to built the amphitheatre by hand improving themselves and our between 1936 and 1941. parks and forests hope the statue Art Ward, CCC alumnus will help future generations who led the effort to bring the remember their work.

37 2005 Jefferson County

Rainwater Residence, historic Albert and Pearl Dake House, Pine Grove, built in 1886

Berkeley United Methodist Church, historic Methodist Episcopal Church, Mountain View, built in 1892

38 Landmark Designations

Church McKay Ranch, historic Buckman Place, Arvada, built in 1895

Rustic Mantel Co., historic William Nicholls root cellar, Pine Grove, built in 1922

39 Dr. Baxter’s “East Street barn” of ca. 1911 in the 1600 block. History of the East Street Neighborhood By Rick Gardner lots contingent on prospective owners which comprises the eastern boundary his historic area comprising making a binding agreement that of the East Street Historic District, the southeast part of the old they immediately build their house, facilitated the full development of city of Golden is one of the of at least 18x24 feet in size, and 1½ what would become the East Street oldestT neighborhoods of the city. The stories in height. In this way the initial neighborhood, by providing water original plat of Golden was established purchase price of the property would be to the semiarid area for drinking and in 1859, with surveying completed in low but building would greatly enhance irrigation. 1860. It was not until after the Civil the value of neighboring lots. Several Commercial development War and its great economic depression homes soon were built there, and the arrived here in 1920 when the Oasis that people began coming back to waterway originally named Cheney Service Station was built at the southern Golden and expanding its development Gulch (after popular local saloonkeeper gateway to this neighborhood and to the southeast. When Mt. Vernon Col. Parker B. Cheney) was renamed to Golden, at 24th and East Streets. businessman Calvin Kinney platted his Kinney Run. However, development of When World War II ended, developer 40-acre addition in 1867 he promoted southern Golden was hampered by lack Charles W. Martin and his Martin quality development far ahead of his of water for the homes. Construction Company changed the time by offering low priced building The advent of the Welch Ditch, face of this neighborhood and ushered

40 The Connelly bungalow was built ca. 1906 at 1515 East Street it into the modern age. By acquiring the of its historic character, and becomes historic district on September 9, 2004. many lots in this neighborhood owned younger and more modern in design as It is Golden’s largest historic district, by the Quaintance Estate in 1946, the neighborhood progresses southward. encompassing well over 100 properties, Martin built new places to alleviate The neighborhood is also home to many and is the first historic district the great housing shortage of the city buildings of historical significance, and comprised mostly of additions to the and promote further commercial therefore was designated Golden’s third original town. development. The majority of Martin’s developments consisted of frame single family homes south of 20th Street, but he also built the Golden Motel (also catering to auto tourists) at 24th and Ford and the Goldendale Dairy at 23rd and Ford. Since then the East Street neighborhood’s development has largely consisted of individual infill residential and commercial places. It has Stone garage of ca. 1928 in the alley behind former Mayor Carpenter’s house at 1809 Ford St. retained a great degree

41 Photos courtesy of Jefferson County Open Space County Open courtesyPhotos of Jefferson

Flying J Ranch Open Space Park opened in the fall of 2005. A Dream Realized By Carolyn Tibbles explore the beauty and diversity that each year in Jefferson County’s Hogback makes Jefferson County special. Open valleys. Widely scattered groups met n 1972 Jefferson County voters Space has opened 19 parks to date, with there annually to celebrate marriages, adopted a dream that had its three more expected to open in the near exchange family members, and share birth in a living room get together future. Flying J Ranch Park is expected practical knowledge, stories, and sacred Iof some like-minded friends and to be officially open to visitors in the wisdom. neighbors. They were concerned about autumn of 2005. From 7,000 to about 2,000 the rapid growth and development Flying J Ranch Park has been years ago, semi-nomadic Archaic people that seemed to be taking over Jefferson home to wildlife and man from time began to construct shelters. Prime County. Fearing that this development immemorial. Paleo-Indians lived locations provided a combination might erase what made Jefferson in Colorado from 12,000 to 7,000 of water, shelter, plant and animal County special, they banded together years ago. A dispersed, highly mobile diversity, and good views. Archaic to promote a citizens’ initiative to create people, living in groups of 20-25, people developed grinding tools a half-percent sales tax dedicated to Paleo-Indians made tools from chipped for processing wild plants, chipped preserving open space throughout the stone, used stone-tipped spears to stone tools for cutting, chopping and County for the enjoyment of future hunt large grazing animals, gathered scraping, and large projectile points for generations. Their dream was embraced small game, waterfowl, and shellfish, hunting. by the County’s voters, and the Jefferson and collected many plant foods. Their The Plains Ceramic Stage began County Open Space Program was annual migration followed the seasonal nearly 2,000 years ago and lasted until born. The citizen’s group Plan JeffCo ripening of vegetation. Foraging parties approximately 200 years ago. The use continues to monitor and support the sought food by making loops outward of pottery and the bow and arrow mark program. from temporary base camps, creating the onset of this stage. The later years Thirty-three years later, Open a daisy pattern. When the daisy was included their first contacts with people Space has purchased more than 52,000 complete, the base camp was moved. from Europe. The Foothills region acres of land throughout the County They moved to progressively higher provided hunting grounds for multiple to preserve historic locations, sensitive elevations, following the ripening tribes, who continued to use the areas and scenic corridors and to weave vegetation through South, Middle and Hogback valleys for winter camps and a network of trails to help people North Parks, before returning to winter seasonal meeting grounds. The tipi ring

42 and other artifacts found on the Flying Road, opened in December, 1859, ran Colorado Historical Society on August J property indicate a long period of use along the Ute Trail from Mount Vernon 31, 1975. by indigenous people along their annual to Bergen Park. It was soon extended to The 361 acre Flying J Ranch migration route. The property lies close Bradford Junction, and on to Tarryall. Park encompasses two original to a traditional migration route known The Denver, Bradford and Blue River homesteads. William Hagen filed the as the Ute Trail, probably used by the Toll Road was built down South Turkey first homestead on April 23, 1874. In Arapaho, Cheyenne and Ute people. Creek Canyon to Bradford, and past 1886, William and Annis Hagen sold Mexico’s independence from Ken Caryl Ranch to Auraria. By 1860, their 160 acres to Ernest Hicks. Hicks Spain in 1821 opened up the Santa Fe the Mount Vernon Toll Road intersected then filed a homestead on 160 acres Trail, bringing traders and trappers to the Denver, Bradford, and Blue of adjoining land to the west. Hicks Colorado. They explored Indian trails River Road at the present junction of married Alminda Simmons. Ernest throughout the Colorado Rockies, Highway 73 and Barkley Road, opposite died February 27, 1897, leaving but, by the late 1830s, the fur trade Flying J Ranch Park. A tollgate was Alminda with four children. Alminda began to decline. In 1845, the story of constructed at “Bradford Junction.” later married Harry Morris. They John Charles Fremont’s journey from sold portions of their two homesteads Colorado to Oregon fired the nation’s beginning in 1913, and John and imagination with tales of an alluring Marguerite Schoonhoven purchased wilderness. The California gold rush of their remaining land in 1948. 1849 brought tens of thousands of men In 1895, William Wallick filed west. Then in 1858 gold was found in a homestead nearby, but relinquished Colorado, and mining districts sprang it on November 3, 1905. That same up as miners prospected their way across day, William H. Anderson filed for Colorado. the homestead, receiving the patent About 1858, Major D.C. Oakes on November 19, 1909. The area was published W. Green Russell’s journal platted as Apache Springs on November as The Pikes Peak Guide and Journal. It 1, 1926, by E.S. Auman, a retired was widely circulated, fueling the wave Methodist minister from Evanston, of arrivals in Colorado the following Illinois. The 1930s Depression hit, and spring. Oakes arrived in Plum Creek many lots remained idle. and quickly set up a sawmill. By April, The Schoonhovens next bought the 1859, he was selling the lumber for the property, building Flying J Ranch, a first frame houses in Denver. In August, small cattle ranch. Mr. Schoonhoven 1867, he and his wife, Olive, became Flying J Ranch Open Space Park. was an airline pilot, and built a runway the proud parents of Laura O. Oakes, on his ranch. Jefferson County Open the first white baby girl born in Denver. Space purchased Flying J Ranch in 1995. In 1895, Laura and her husband, Willie Bradford Junction became Initially, the neighboring De Bennett, bought Beaver Ranch and “Junction,” and then “Hutchinson” La Castro property was purchased for moved to Hutchinson, now known as by May, 1865, when the first post active recreation and wetlands. It was Conifer. office opened. The name Hutchinson discovered that wetlands prohibited the Opening the way into the caused confusion for postal deliveries, construction of ballfields, and strong mountains was vital to miners and with many letters arriving in Kansas public sentiment against ballfields in this settlers alike. The 1862 Homestead rather than in Colorado, so the U.S. location blocked the project. Law entitled any head-of-a-family over Postal Service officially designated the Flying J Ranch Park will provide its 21 years of age to settle on 160 acres, local post office as Conifer in 1900. visitors an escape from their daily contingent on 5 years of continuous Bradford Junction grew into a small but routines and many happy memories, residence with improvements. Settlers important farming and mining supply realizing the dream of those visionary could pay $1.25 per acre instead of town. Jeffco residents. meeting the residency requirement, or Bradford Junction’s “Civil War purchase relinquishment rights from an Well” (news of the first battle of Bull To visit the Flying J Ranch Park, take US original homesteader. Run arrived while it was being dug in Highway 285 to Conifer, turn right on Charters were granted to road 1861) provided water to travelers. The County Highway 73 and continue past companies that built toll roads to make well can still be seen just outside the the yellow barn to the right and Shadow their venture economically feasible. The boundaries of Flying J. A Colorado Mountain Road to the left. The entrance to Denver, Auraria and Colorado Wagon Inventory form was completed by the the park is about 0.6 miles to the north.

43 Photos courtesyPhotos of Kim Grant

City Council members participate with the Arvada Historical Society and Olde Town Arvada at the ribbon cutting and dedication of McIlvoy house on May 2, 2005. City of Arvada Completes McIlvoy House Restoration and Renovation By Kim Grant the borders of Jefferson County in liquors be manufactured, sold or 1860. The family then began farming otherwise disposed of as a beverage on he City of Arvada, in operations on 240 acres of land near the premises.”2 The Arvada Town Board partnership with the Arvada Fruitdale (now part of Wheat Ridge) then hired the noted Denver landscape Historical Society and before moving to the area near what is architect Saco de Boer to develop a HistoricT Olde Town Arvada, and with now Ralston Road and Rensselaer Drive master plan for the park. The firm of de the generous assistance of the State in Arvada. In later years, the McIlvoy’s Boer and Pesman articulated a beautiful Historical Fund, has completed the “moved to town” and settled at the site plan for the park that featured a restoration and adaptive re-use of the of today’s McIlvoy House at Grandview swimming pool, formal lawn for games, historic McIlvoy House in Olde Town and Upham Street(s) in Olde Town and gently curving sidewalks lined by Arvada.1 The house was built of brick Arvada. Mr. McIlvoy passed away in trees and other landscaping. Mr. de in the Edwardian Vernacular style by 1913. Boer’s legendary attention to detail the pioneering family of Dennis and In 1919, Mrs. Clemency apparently escaped him in labeling the Clemency McIlvoy in 1897. The McIlvoy donated three acres plan, however, as it is officially titled, McIlvoys came to Colorado in 1859 and surrounding the house to the City of “Plan of McIlvoy Park.”3 Unfortunately, settled in Blackhawk. Dennis McIlvoy Arvada for use as the community’s first the Town Board dragged its feet in helped lay out the town of Mountain park, stipulating that the park bear the implementing the plan, so Mrs. McIlvoy City and assisted with establishing McIlvoy name and that “no intoxicating added an additional incentive by selling

44 a nearby lot at 7515 Grandview to exterior elements and adaptive re-use of Mac” by neighborhood children, was an R.O. Graves and donating the $1,000 the interior to accommodate the Arvada avid gardener and would probably be proceeds for further beautification of Historical Society and its archives and quite pleased with the restoration of her the park. She also deeded over the the activities of Historic Olde Town home. McIlvoy House itself upon her death, Arvada. In addition, the Arvada Center which occurred in 1921. Although for the Arts and Humanities uses the Kim Grant serves as Grants Administrator final development of the park deviated house for activities and as a staging for the City of Arvada, where he has somewhat from the de Boer plan, it ground for its popular Arts Day History actively pursued a number of historic nevertheless followed preservation projects its general outlines, in partnership with which can still be community groups seen today. and organizations. The McIlvoy He formerly served House has enjoyed as Director of a long tradition of Development for civic use, having Historic Denver, Inc. served as the He wishes to formally American Legion acknowledge and Ladies Auxiliary the assistance of (1921-1939), Arvada Historical Arvada Community Society member Building (1939- Mickey Maker in 1950), Arvada the preparation Public Library of historical (1950-1966), information about Jefferson County the McIlvoy House. Mental Health Center (1966- 1981), and Arvada Urban Renewal Sources: Authority (1984- 1 1998).4 The house Saco de Boer Archives, had been vacant “Series 1: Plans & Drawings, 6th FCS; since 1998 until its Sfu; ov/FF, May 1919.” recent restoration Denver: Denver Public and return to civic Library Western History use as the home Department. of the Arvada Historical Society 2 Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder, “Warranty (and archives) and The McIlvoy house following renovation in 2004-2005. offices for Historic Deed Signed by Olde Town Arvada Clemency M. McIlvoy,” (Arvada’s “Main Jefferson County, Colorado: May 8, 1919. Street” organization). These new uses Program, which features walking were inspired by the Renaissance Plan tours of Olde Town and a guided tour 3 Saco de Boer Archives, “Series 1: Plans & for Olde Town Arvada, completed by through the nearby Arvada Flour Mill. Drawings, 6th FCS; Sfu; ov/FF, May 1919.” consultants Dana Crawford and Project All of this was made possible by a Denver: Denver Public Library Western History for Public Spaces in 1999. $99,857 grant from the State Historical Department. Upon receipt of an $8,500 historic Fund and $163,358 in matching City structure assessment grant from the of Arvada funds. Plans for future work 4 Simmons, R.L. and T.H. Simmons, “Historic State Historical Fund in 2000, a plan include collaboration with the Arvada Building Inventory Record: Statement of was formulated by the City of Arvada Gardeners club in the development Significance,” Denver, Colorado: Colorado with the assistance of a 15-member of a period garden at the site. Mrs. Historical Society, Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, August 1997. steering committee, for preservation of McIlvoy, affectionately dubbed “Auntie

45 2005 JEFFCO HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEMBERS

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Deborah Andrews – Lucy Bambrey, Richard Gardner, Viona “Vi” Hader, Max Haug, 1997 Erlene Hulsey- George Hurst, 2003 2000-Chair Historic 2002 - Commission 2005, Member 1985- Member – Member Hall of Lutz, 1986 – Member Education Preservation, Treasurer. Chair Landmark Hall of Fame, Fame and Writers’ –Chair Publication and History, Member Landmark Administrative, Committee; Golden past member Award. Liaison and Landmark Director, Habitat Designation. member Historic native; Pres. Golden Golden Chamber to Rocky Flats Designation. for Humanity. Real Founder Andrews Preservation. Teaches Landmarks Assoc.; of Commerce. Historical Group. Wheat Ridge Estate Developer; & Anderson Anthropology, M.A. in History Past curator Astor Past President Olde Historical Society. lives in Evergreen. Architecture. Archaeology, from UCD; House & Foothills Town Arvada Assoc. 4th generation Historic restoration Earth Sciences, certificate in Historic Art Center; lives in & Arvada Historical Coloradoan, retired specialist. Lives on Environmental Law, Preservation; lives in Golden. Society; lives in Real Estate Broker. Lookout Mountain. and Property Law; Golden. Arvada. Active in numerous lives in Conifer. civic groups; lives in Wheat Ridge. JCHC Highlights 2005

On May 14, 25 to 30 people of by Deborah, were distributed to the county and city historic preservation attendants. At lunchtime, Cathleen commissions, historical societies, Norman talked about the historic museums, and volunteer groups came themes of Jefferson County. Elizabeth together at the Morrison Town Hall Schlosser presented Colorado’s for the first annual Jefferson County Most Endangered Places Program Historic Preservation Symposium. of Colorado Preservation, Inc. April Deborah Andrews introduced Bernard spoke about her work in the the audience to the functions of education outreach program of the Jefferson County the Jefferson County Historical Cultural Resource Survey in the North Historical Commission commission. The copies of the Fork Historic District, and Ann Bond newsletter “Landmark Times,” created rounded out the day with a presentation

2005 JCHC MEMBERS (continued) JeffCo Writers Award Contest

Jefferson County Historical Commission invites writers of all ages to participate in James “Jaimie” Jack Raven, Milly Roeder, Burdette “Bud” Sally L. White, its Writers’ Award Contest. Powell, 2005 1997 – Member 1995 – Editor Weare, 2003 2004 – Commission All topics must relate to the Publication. Past Historically Jeffco, – Commission Vice Secretary. Member President Arvada Member Publication, Chair. Member Education and factual history of Jefferson Historical Society, Historic Preservation Education and History and Arvada Lions Club, and Landmark History, Historic Publication. County. For new contest rules Arvada Cemetery Designation. Preservation, Museums Association. Retired Cultural Landmark Coordinator for the and application forms, please Safeway Manager; Anthropologist, Designation. 3rd Town of Morrison contact Duncan McCollum lives in Arvada. Urban Planner, generation native from 1996 to 2005; grant writer; lives in Jeffco resident; lives near Morrison. and Archives and Records Lakewood. retired Prof. University of Management Department at Wisconsin; lives near 303-271-8446. Evergreen.

46 Nina Kite, 2004 – Carole Lomond, Mark Mc Goff, 2003- Norman Meyer, Tim Montgomery, Stanley A. Moore, Rita Peterson, 1981 Chair Education and 1997 – Member Commission Chair. 1986 – Member 2001 – Member 2004 – Member – Commission History, Member Education and Retired Colorado Hall of Fame and Publication Active Education and History Corresp. Secretary, Administrative History, liaison Department of Writers’ Award and in Arvada charitable and Landmark Chair Hall of Fame and Publication. Lariat Loop Corrections; Past Publication. Pilot, and public Designation. and Writers Award, Past Chair – Jeffco Scenic Byway. Chair Colorado rancher, journalist, organizations, Member of Denver Member Landmark GOP, Member Publisher/Editor, Endowment for the developer. Much of including Arvada Posse of Westerners Designation. Foothills Foundation “City & Mountain Humanities; Past his family ranch now City Planning & International, Secretary American Board, Wheat Views” Magazine President Arvada Jeffco Open Space Zoning Commission. Civil War Round Cancer Society, Ridge native, lives and “Lariat Loop Historical Society; Park. Colorado Public Accountant Table, International Rocky Mountain in unincorporated Historic Scenic lives in Arvada. native; lives near and Management Churchill Society, Division, and Chair, South Jeffco. Circle;” lives in Mt. Conifer. Consultant; lives in former owner of Senior Resource Vernon Canyon. Arvada. commercial brokerage; Center Board; lives lives in Morrison. in Lakewood.

Disclaimer The information in this magazine is solely provided by the authors. JCHC, the Board of County Commissioners and the Historically Jeffco on the National Register of Historic the CRS in the North Fork HD was committee are not responsible for the opinions of Places in the unincorporated Jefferson completed by the consultants. Phase the authors or the content of their articles. County in general and the North Fork III of the CRS is continuing. Obtaining Copies Historic District in particular. Art Of 22 historic site referrals from the Copies can be purchased for $5 at the Ward, a Civilian Conservation Corps Planning and Zoning Department to Department of Archives and Records (CCC) veteran, spoke briefly about the Historic Preservation committee 6 Management. The magazine is available free that organization. Lila Horton led a were historical, 13 were not historical of charge to the members of Jefferson County Historical Societies. tour of historic downtown Morrison, and 3 were undetermined. and Sally White took several attendees For More Information to the CCC camp at the edge of town. Note: the JCHC congratulates the The Archives and Records Management A delicious lunch was donated by community of the former Pine for their Department has further information for those numerous Morrison restaurants. success in getting the historic name interested in history and historic preservation in Jefferson County plus applications for During the past year, field work on “Pine Grove” back. Commission membership. Call Duncan McCollum at 303-271-8446.

2005 JCHC MEMBERS (continued) COMMISSION STAFF JeffCo History Just One Click Away... www.historicjeffco.org

Visit Jefferson County’s history online, via a new website that provides direct links to most historical societies, museums, resource pages, city and county information, and other sources for historical Duncan McCollum, Susan Casteleneto, Janet Bell, liaison information. Sponsored by the Jefferson Co. Historical Commission Jefferson County Archives from Planning and Archives and Records and Records Zoning Division. but privately funded, the website provides easy access points to pages Management Management on the official county website that can otherwise be difficult to find. Director since 1993. Secretary since 1994. Indices of the Commission’s annual Historically Jeffco magazine are COUNTY COMMISSIONERS also provided on the site, and selected stories from previous issues are gradually being added. Comments or corrections to the historicjeffco. org website go to Sally at 303.870.4240 or [email protected]. The 2005 issue of the Historically Jeffco magazine will be available for $5 per copy at Jefferson Co. Archives & Records beginning in late October. Back issues are also available upon request. Contact Susan at 303.271.8447, afternoons. Kevin McCaskey Jim Congrove Dave Auburn

47 Jefferson County Historical Commission Prtsrt Std Archives and Records Management, Rm 1500 U.S. Postage 100 Jefferson County Parkway PAID Golden, CO 80419 Permit #148 Golden, CO

48