--------------------------------------- Donated August 2001 Transcribed (with written permission) by Leona L. Gustafson from the book: THE FORGOTTEN PAST OF ADAMS COUNTY, vol. 1. Written and published by students of Thornton High School, Thornton, CO in 1978 --------------------------------------- THE FORGOTTEN PAST OF ADAMS COUNTY, vol. 1 Introduction The contents of this book need little introduction. It represents a collection of individual research topics on the past history of Adams County. The special part that is not immediately apparent is that it was collected and written entirely by high school students. It is typical for high school students to read many books and write many reports. Term papers are usually written from a composite of many other written articles, none the least of which include the standard encyclopedia. The assignment that these students had was quite simple. Select any interesting site or event and find out all you can from anyone who knows anything about it. Little or none of the material in this book came from any other printed source. The people mentioned in each chapter are the sources of information. The entire collection of history of the local area resulted from desire to involve students in something different and challenging. The class to which these students joined was different in itself. Several years ago, it was decided that Colorado History as a separate subject, would no longer be taught in Adams County School District Number Twelve. We felt that this state had to much historic and cultural heritage entwined in the geology and resources to just drop or combine in a short unit to be included in "The History of the West" or some similar required freshman or sophomore social studies class. There seemed to be nothing at the secondary level that focused on an in-depth look at our history. Over a period of several months, stretching into a year or more, we put together a semester class called "Mountain, Plain & Plateau." The purpose of the class was to expose the student firsthand to the many people, places, and events, as well as geologic and mineral resources, that molded and shaped this great State. This was to be the vehicle to carry these fine students into the world that was beyond the usual classroom activities. To accomplish these unusual procedures we asked for and received the permission and encouragement from our Principal, Mr. J. S. Thornham, his predecessor, Mr. Robert Roy, and many other administrative level individuals, such as Willis Tarver and Richard Eslinger. One of the keys to the success of this course was the tolerance and understanding that they conveyed to both the students and us with regard to the time for the full implementation of the project, both in and out of the school. The students then spent nearly as many hours out and around the county and state as they did in the classroom. For three entire weeks, the teams that have written these reports were excused from attending our class. They only stopped by to tell us the good things that they found out the day before or to tell us of the many frustrations of not being able to find what information they were looking for. Although the "find" was very exciting and rewarding, the "search" was the longest lasting reward these truly outstanding young people will treasure for years to come. Money? The cost of researching, photographing, printing, and all the other many experiences involved in writing something like this took more money than we realized. Fortunately, this was the Centennial- Bicentennial year and limited funds were available to us. This only covered a portion of the cost. The school helped with some matching funds, and Mr. Bruns and Mr. Durnford of Northglenn Youth, Inc., were most generous in supplying the needed money to get the project moving toward the final goal publishing this book. Keep in mind that we are teachers of Social Studies and Geology. Writing a book was an activity neither of us had any experience with. Some editing was done by members of Thornton's English Department primarily Mrs. Barstead; - to them we offer a very sincere thank you!! What the students actually learned from writing this book may never be measured with any degree of accuracy. How can you measure what a student learns from talking to an eighty year old citizen of the community or spending several hours at the city offices or trying to take some pictures that show what they think they see as being interesting. Most students never experienced the time required between the submitting of their typed manuscript until the final product -- this book emerges as a reality. Assuming that the students find this form of learning worthwhile, and we don't run out of interesting sites to research, yearly revisions to this book will be made. If you the reader would like to help see that people of Adams County don't move out of our lives and take with them the kind of information contained in this book, the future students of this class will give it their best effort to record it in print to be distributed as far as interest calls for it. Richard Marcy William O'Connor ******************** THE WOLPERT MANSION 9190 Riverdale Road History of Wolpert Mansion David H. Wolpert was born in Ohio in 1883. As a young man he traveled to Iowa and Illinois for brief stays at both places. In 1859, he began moving west with the gold rush. He followed the Santa Fe Trail to New Mexico, then back up towards Pike’s Peak (probably the Colorado Springs area). Included in a party of sixteen men, Wolpert then traveled to North Park, north of Denver, to the Fairplay-Breckenridge area seeking gold. While there, the party got involved with Indians and then separated. When David Wolpert came to Denver, he built the Clayton block on Larimer Street In downtown Denver. He followed the Platte River north nine miles, and, on a piece of land he patented in the late 1850’s, he built a house in 1864. David Wolpert acquired property on patent from the U.S. Government, September 1, 1869, and it was recorded January 21, 1870. His land totaled 145 acres on both the east and west sides of Riverdale Road. The land parcel is legally de- scribed as: South one-half of NW one-fourth (except road) of the SW one-fourth (except parcels, roads, rivers, and Public Service right- of-way) of Section 19, T25, R67W. The street address is 9190 Riverdale Road. David Wolpert was married, in 1864, to Catherine Henderson, of whose family the town of Henderson is named. They had a son, David, and two daughters, Lucille and Mary. One of the daughters and the son were deaf mutes. Mr. Wolpert was a celebrated agriculturist in his life-time. The Wolperts lived in the mansion for about fifty years. David Wolpert died October 21, 1909, and is buried at Riverside Cemetery. One brother, John Wolpert, who had settled in the same area, is buried at United Brethren Cemetery at Henderson. The house is a mansion in a strict sense, in that it was a better house than that which most people were building in that time. Considering when it was built, and who built it, it would be one of the most inter- esting houses in Colorado. There is a complete architectural history attached to the house. The house has been added on to over the years, however, the brick barn was built during the same period as the house. There is a history in human interest rumors alone. It has been said that the mansion was a drover's inn for cowboys, a gambling den in the 1920’s, a house of pros- titution, and a race-horse ranch. It is said one owner became drunk and lost the mansion in a card game, and there have also been rumors of murder occuring on the land. Because the house has somehow been involved with every aspect of Colorado History, ranging from the Indians to the hippies, it is of great historical significance. One of the previous owners, the Faden Family, owned and leased the house for many years. The Eppinger family, who leased it from the Faden’s, reported one flood, and that was the only early disaster uncovered. Nothing was ruined during this flood. A project has been started to restore the mansion as an American Victorian Mansion. The project is spon- sored by the Adams County Historical Society and the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission. It is presently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This organization protects the mansion against any national discrepancies. It also allows for match- ing funds. The Mansion is described as a nine-room two-story house. There is a red brick barn about one hundred There are also two good wells yards from the house. on the property. In May 1975, when the chicken house burned down, the fire department came and extinguished the fire and put in a report to county health authorities stating that the house was a fire hazard and a danger to the community. The health department ordered the owner to dismiss the tenants. When they moved, heavy vandalism started. The mansion is now in desperate need of help and restoration. What was once a beautiful mansion is now a dump. Though listed nationally as a historic property, thus far no organizations have provided for the restoration of the mansion, and, at any time, a local committee can tear it down. Since the mansion has experienced much of Colorado’s history, it is our belief that to let the mansion decay, is to let a monument of our state’s history waste away to nothing. Transfer of Land January 21, 1870 Patented from U.S. to David H. Wolpert October 22, 1909 David H. Wolpert Deeded to Catherine Henderson Wolpert October 14, 1913 By Warranty Deed from Catherine Henderson Wolpert to Charles M. Weisser. May 12, 1916 By Warranty Deed from Catherine Henderson Wolpert to Charles M. Weisser. June 13, 1918 Charles M. Weisser Deed by Warranty Deed to Edwin T. Larson Warranty Deed from Edwin T. Larson to Richard H. Elson. April 27, 1937 Elson Deed to Clint 0. Heath April 27, 1937 Clint 0. Heath Deed to Charles Faden July 14, 1945 Katherine Faden received estate of Charles Faden by decree of heirship December 29, 1969 Executors Deed from estate of Katherine Faden to Joseph V. Famularo January 2, 1975 Joseph V. Famularo Deeded to BBB Associates Editor’s Note On Friday, November 28, 1975, at approximately 1:00 a.m., the Wolpert Mansion was burned to the ground. A complete era of Colorado History was lost with The Mansion. We hope that the other historical monuments of this sort, representing Colorado’s History, will be protected so there will be something left to look back on. Acknowledgments Dr. Hugo Rodeck Daisy Clark Frank Wooley Mrs. Max Cundall Arthur Eppinger References "Wolpert House" - Dr. Hugo Rodeck ********************* FRED WARD RANCH Location and Description The Fred Ward Ranch, now known as The Ranch, sits on the southwest corner of land close to where 120th Avenue and Huron Street meet. The street address for The Ranch is 120th and Tejon. The old Fred Ward Ranch sits on a 160 acre lot. History of the Fred Ward Ranch The actual Fred Ward Ranch was built soon after the year 1940. It was built by a man named Wilkins after he bought the land it presently sits on, in 1940. Mr. Wilkins bought this land from the heirs of Mr. Joseph Marion. Mr. Marion homesteaded the land that the present day Ranch now sits on, on November 22, 1884. When Mr. Marion homesteaded this land there was nothing but a claim shack on it. In 1907, Mr. Marion built a fine two-story, brick home on the land. It is presumed that before this brick home was built that Mr. Marion and his wife lived in a wooden home. Mr. Marion and his family, wife Philena and their three children, lived in the brick home until 1927, when Mr. Marion died. After that Mrs. Marion divided the land between the three, children, who in 1940, sold the land to Mr. Wilkins. Mr. Wilkins tore down the Marion’s brick house and built the house that Fred Ward was later to live in. Wilkins lived there until 1948, when he sold the ranch and the land to Fred Ward. Fred Ward filed a claim on the land June 15, 1948. Mr. Ward had a wife, Iva, a daughter, Patricia, and a son, Gene F. Mr. Ward’s profession was selling Hudson automobiles. Ward was the number one dealer in Colorado and one of the top dealers in the United States. Mr. Ward was very wealthy and very generous. One morning he and some of his guests flew to Albuquerque to have break- fast in one of his favorite restaurants. When the Ward Family first began residing at the Ranch, it was referred to as the Fred Ward Mansion, but was later changed to the Fred Ward Ranch. At first, when Mr. Ward moved to the Ranch, there wasn’t much more than the house there. Mr. Ward turned the home and the surrounding land into a picture area. All the buildings, which included the house, two barns, and a servant’s house, were painted white with red trim. There was a long driveway that led to the house. The driveway was made up of something like a garden rock, and on either side of the driveway were tall trees. There were twenty-seven miles of fence around the Ranch. All the other building, beside the house, were built after Mr. Ward took up residency there. The Wards showed gaited, American saddle-bred horses. One of the two barns on the property was used for show-horses. This show barn was very luxurious. The floors were wooden, the walls were paneled, and there were offices in it. Mr. Ward also owned a trained Brahma bull, just for riding. Both of the Ward children, Patricia and Gene, were excellent horsemen. One of the Ward’s horses, named Orchid, was at one point sold for $22,000. Mr. Ward was considered a fine host. Often times he would host week-long parties at the Ranch. When celebrities were in Denver, Mr. Ward would invite them to stay at the Ranch, so that they could get away from the city. Some of his more prominent guests included Bob Hope and Jane Russell. The Ward Ranch also had a very beautiful swimming pool behind the house. Mr. Corky Karas dated Patty Ward. One night when Mr. Karas took Patty out, Mr. Ward gave Mr. Karas $50.00 to show Patty a nice time. Mr. Karas ended up going home with $52.00 because he didn’t have to pay for any- thing. This gaiety and life of luxury only lasted for three short years. In 1951, Mr. Ward was convicted for double-mortgaging Hudson automobiles. He spent five years in Canon City and two years in Leavenworth. While Fred Ward was In prison he made $500,000 by coming up with a washer for women’s nylon stockings. This washer was shaped like a football. In 1958, Fred Ward completed his prison sentence and moved to California with his wife. He started a pro- ject to help with the beautification of America. His idea was synthetic, kangaroo-shaped tops for roadside litter barrels. While he was in Dallas, Texas, in 1962, working on this idea, he choked on a piece of meat in a hotel and died. Mr. Ward’s wife, Iva, resides in California as does his daughter Patty. Gene F., Mr. Ward’s son, sells insurance in Nebraska. In 1953, the Ranch was sold to Mr. Vogler in Texas, by the Bankruptcy Court, for $152,000. Sometime after 1953, Rollins A. Furbush bought the Ranch from Mr. Vogler. Furbush hung onto the Ranch until 1969, when he sold it to Fuller Land Company for $960,000. In 1972, Fuller Land Company sold the Ranch to Loup Miller Development Company. Loup Miller presently owns "The Ranch," as it is now called. Acknowledgements Mr. Don Ciancia Mr. Corky Karas Mr. & Mrs. Percy Marion References Adams County Clerk Records ********************* THE CORNER OF THE WEBSTER PLACE Location Description One acre of land, the same being of equal length on each of the four sides, in the Southeast corner of the SE ¼ of Section 3 Township 2 South, Range 68 West. History The Webster Place attracted the interest of people both near and far. Well-known names in the county appear, such as Swanson, Schutt, Stonehocker, and Carlson. From afar appear the names of Gould, Evans, and Hunt, well-known names in business and oil. During our research it was interesting to note that almost every owner, and there were many, lost the land at least once, if not twice, to the government for non- payment of taxes. Each of the owners was able to re- deem the property within the lawful time, however. The history of the Webster Place as a separate piece of land began on November 18, 1867, when the United States of America granted the Denver Pacific Railway and Telegraph Company a Certificate of Incorporation for the land of which the Webster Place was a part. The certificate was written: Object: To construct and operate a railroad and telegraph line from the city of Denver, Colorado, in a northerly direction to the northern boundary of Colorado. However, a railway or telegraph line never materialized on the piece of land which we have researched. In the spring of 1887, Mr. Rockwood G. Webster received the southeast quarter Section 3 Township 2, South Range 68. During these twenty years the Denver Pacific Rail- way and Telegraph Company ceased to exist, for it had consolidated with two other railroad companies, one from Kansas and the other from Denver. These three railroad companies formed one company called the Union Pacific Railway. Also in these twenty years, six of the company’s trustees entrusted with the land had either died, resigned, or were removed. From the abstract en- trusting George Gould we learn: John Edgar Thomson, Adolphus Meier and John Evans, Trustees of its Railway lands and other property, and said Thomson dies, and said Meier was removed as such Trustee, and said Evans resigned, and Anthony J. Dulman was appointed as Trustee in place of Thomson. Said Dulman resigned and J. Gould and Russell Sage were appointed as Trustees in place of Evans and Dulman and J. Gould dies and Russell Sage is surviving Trustee.. ..and said George J. Gould is said Trustee.... in place and Successor to said J. Gould, Deceased.... The J. Gould mentioned is Jay gould, the famous businessman of the 1800’s. Mr. Webster built a house on his newly acquired land. It was located in the area of what is now Webster Lake and the Webster Apartments. The house is shown below. Photo 1 here. Photo 2 here. The man in the picture is Stanley Carlson, who with his family, wife, Virginia, and son, Ronald, lived in the house and farmed the land for a short time. One year later (1888), Mr. Webster conveyed one acre of land to School District #71 of Arapahoe County. (At this time this area was not known as Adams County but as Arapahoe County instead.) This acre of land is located in the southeast corner of the property. It is now the corner of 112th Avenue and Washington Street, on the west side of Washington Street. This transaction was never known as a sale or a gift. It came under the title of a "quit claim." As long as the school district maintained a school in operation, the district would have use of the land. This acre was school property for 32 years. School District #71, Arapahoe County, was succeeded by School District #12, Adams County. During the time the school was in session, Mrs. Stonehocker, the mother of Walt and Earl Stonehocker, taught in the school for a short period of time. The school house and the students can be seen in the following two pictures. Photo 3 here. Photo 4 here. In 1895, Mr. Webster lost the land to the American National Bank of Denver. This happened because of his inability to pay back a loan he had borrowed earlier. Mr. F. F. Mead bought all the property, except the county road, from the County Treasurer in 1896, by paying the delinquent taxes of 1895. In 1897, Mr. Webster took the case to the State Supreme Court and eventually won back the property from the bank. A dilemma is apparent about the land ownership. In 1897, there were two owners of the property. One was Mr. Webster, who regained his land through court action, and the other was Mr. Mead, who already owned the land by paying the 1895 delinquent taxes on the property. Mr. Webster regained the position of sole ownership, however, by paying the 1895 taxes in 1903. From 1903 through March 5, 1920, the property had water disputes, oil claims, and many other ownership problems over delinquent taxes. A signigicant date of the Webster School, located on the southeast corner of the farm, was March 5, 1920, when Mary Webster received the one acre of land from R. G. Webster. In December of the same year, the school district relinquished control of this one acre. Mary gained control of the land just ten months after she acquired its ownership. The school district seemed to have second thoughts about letting Mary have control of the land, and on December 21, 1920, a complaint was raised by B. F. Sedbrook and School District #12, Adams County. The complaints stated the school district still had a right to claim interest in the property. Mary, however, maintained that all the defendants' claims were "wholly unfounded and illegal." On January 6, 1921, the court agreed with Mary and all the rights belonging to the one acre were again returned to her. In 1929, David J. Freeburgh became the owner of the acre. He became the owner of the land only, for Mary Webster had sold the school building to Clareance G. Freeburg with the understanding he would remove the building within six months. David Freeburgh lost the property because of taxes he owed in 1936. The County Treasurer became the owner of the acre in 1937, and sold it to Adams County for $4.55, the amount of delinquent taxes due for 1936. David Freeburgh was able to redeem the land in 1939, for $9.60, from the County Treasurer. He then sold the property to Margaret Snow in the same year. The warranty deed stated Mrs. Snow would pay only for the land and not the back taxes, which was Mr. Freeburgh’s responsibility. Margaret Snow sold the property to Augusta Schutt, who was a former student in the school and is shown in the picture, in 1940. Mrs. Schutt lost the property to taxes to a man named Carl R. Smith, but she was able to redeem the property in 1941, from the County Treasurer. Theodore and Dorothy Elizabeth Swanson received the property through a gift deed from Augusta Schutt in 1942. They kept the property for three years. Lloyd Wood gained the property and held the deed for less than a year. The next owner became Gertrude Levy in 1947. In 1947, it came to the attention of the County Treasurer, Mr. Ben H. Taylor, that in 1896 or 1897, as mentioned earlier, there were two owners at one time. Mr. Taylor solved the problem by the cancellation of the certificate of ownership of F. F. Mead. Thus Mr. Webster was the sole owner once and for all back in 1897. In 1953, Mrs. Dorothea Rice Kearn sold the eastern one- half acre to Claude E. Cantwell. Mr. Cantwell, besides owning the eastern portion, was given the right to use the well on the western half. In 1954, there arose a dispute over oil and mineral rights. Mr. H. L. Hunt was the eventual owner of both. Mr. Hunt was the nationally known oilman from Texas. Ola Mae Anfield became owner of the western portion of the acre. When Mrs. Anfield died in 1960, her property became the property of Bennie D. Anfield. In August of 1960, Bennie Anfield sold his half acre on the western side to Dr. Roy H. Carlson and Beverly J. Carlson. Dr. Carlson built the Northglenn Veterinary Clinic, P.C. on this property. The well, which Claude Cantwell had rights to, was still in existence. In 1963, the pump house, which covered the well, burned down. The story of the pumphouse is very exciting. As an observer, you could safely have watched the happenings from a vantage point across the street. First, there were the sounds of sirens in the distance. The sirens brought little attention until it became apparent the sirens were drawing quite near. As an observer, had you rushed to your back. yard to see what was happening, you would have seen black smoke rising from the back portion of the clinic and looked around, quite oblivious to what was happening in his back yard. You then saw the black, curling smoke rising in the air and hurried to the scene of excitement. During the years 1953 to 1964, the eastern portion of the acre had various enterprises on the property. At one time there was a cafe. This building was later used by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In the end, it was a vacant lot. In 1964, Dr. and Mrs. Plese bought the northern half of the one-half acre. That same year Dr. Please built a professional building on the one-fourth acre of land. Following his death, his dental suite became an insur- ance office. The building also has a barber shop and an income tax office. Mrs. Plese bought the southern one-fourth acre in 1971, from Standard Oil Company of California, reuniting the eastern half acre under one ownership. In the summer of 1975, a small fruit and vegetable stand was put on the vacant half of the eastern half acre. However, because of the stringent regulations placed upon the stand, it had no time to become estab- lished. This was unfortunate as the fruit and vege- table stand would have added a rural flavor to the community. The acre, owned at one time by Mr. Webster, then con- veyed to the school district, then subsequently owned by many persons, now has a secure future. The property both eastern and western portions, are well established community businesses. It appears they will continue in that direction. Acknowledgements Dr. R. H. Carlson Mr. & Mrs. Casey Jones Ms. Dorothy Swanson Mr. Earl Stonehocker Mr. Walt Stonehocker Ms. Plese Ms. Bertha Heid Mr. Ed Whytal Mr. Stanley Carlson Ms. Virginia Carlson Mr. Kurt Connor ********************* THE HISTORY OF THE OLD HARDY PLACE Corner of 112th & Riverdale Road The old house that is presently owned by Frances Kawano and her brothers is located on the corner of 112th and Riverdale Road. They also own the surrounding eighty acres of land. Almost all of the land in this area was originally owned by the Eppinger family in the 1800’s. The land has always been used for farming. The Kawanos still use the land predominantly for farming. The well next to the house was drilled in 1908 and the house was built shortly after that. The exact date is unknown. Fred Hardy built the house for his wife and himself. They bought the land from the Eppingers. The Eppingers still farmed on the land for a few years after the house had been built. In 1943, Frances Kawano's parents bought Fred Hardy’s house and then handed it down to Frances and her brothers. She now lives there with her husband. The exterior of the house still looks the same. The Kawanos rewired the whole house after they had bought it. They have a tower off to the south end, behind the house, where a windmill used to be. The windmill was used to pump water for the yard. When the Kawanos bought the house, they Installed an electric pump to water the yard, and soon after sold the windmill. The tower still stand with the water tank on top. The house has been kept up by the Kawanos. It has, of course, aged some, but it is still in good condition. It has a basement and and indoor back porch which leads to the kitchen. The kitchen leads to a small living room with the bedrooms and bathroom on the north side of the front room. The outside of the house is made of brick on three sides and shingles on the west side. The roof and sides are green and painted regularly. (Photo: OLD WELL HOUSE) The Kawanos state they plan on remaining there and use the land to farm, as they presently do. The Farming Land The land in this area has always been good for farming since it lies near the Platte River flood plain. Two of the oldest farms around the area are the Clark Place, built in 1880 and the Parker Klein Farm, built in 1880 which is catty-corner from the Hardy place. The three main types of farming in this area are grain farming, vegetable farming, and cattle grazing. The entire area is irrigated by the Clear Creek Ditch Co. While this area is excellent farm land, the growth trends of the metro area indicate that this land may eventually become residential or commercial. If this happens, many of the older homes may be forced to give way to new development. Acknowledgments Mr. Phil Bruchez Mrs. Adeline Eppinger Mr. Art Eppinger Mr. Bim Eppinger Proctor Nott Mrs. Staneck Mrs. Dorothy Winfrey (Novak) Mrs. Frances Kawano ********************* EASTLAKE ELEMENTARY Eastlake School was erected in 1920 to accommodate students in the Eastlake area. The school had all twelve grades. The first class graduated in 1923. According to the resources the first graduating class consisted of one person. Mr. Lewis Peterson. (Photo here.) Before the school was finished in 1920, the student population went to either the old school located on Colorado Boulevard and 120th or went to classes in the basement of the Eastlake Bank. At first there were only two teachers, one for the elementary students, grades one through eight, and one for the high school students, grades nine through twelve. The school eventually expanded to four classrooms and five teachers; one primary, two junior high, one high school and one principal, who also taught. (Photo here.) In 1950, School Districts 6, 34, 20, 16, 27, 56, and 12 consolidated into District No. 12. The district in- cluded schools such as Westlake, Burkley, Hutchinson, Webster, Buchkoltzs, and Pleasant View. Westlake, in 1954, took grades six through nine; this left grades one through five to Eastlake; grades ten through twelve still went to neighboring high schools. In 1956, grades one through six went to Eastlake, it has been the same ever since. An addition to the building was constructed in 1959. Two classrooms were added. In 1962, three more class- rooms, an office, lounge, and restrooms were added. Eastlake has never been considered as one of the bigger schools of the area, bit it has always been known as one of the best. (Photo here.) The Eastlake School has not turned out a great quantity but it has turned out quality. Eastlake was once well known for its great debating teams. The real test of the adequacy of the building is whether Eastlake can accommodate a modern learning program. Eastlake, despite its age and two additions, does house the complete learning program offered to the elementary students in District No. 12. Eastlake offers the basic classes Math, English, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education, along with music, speech and special reading for the handicapped. Sports were once a part of the Eastlake curriculum. Back in the days before high school was taken out of Eastlake, baseball, and track were popular; Basket- ball was played on an outdoor court as Eastlake never had a gymnasium. The Eastlake building was also used for other things in its long lifespan. It has been used for PTA meetings, (Photo here.) City Council sessions, dances and other social events. For some years, until recently, (1972), the Eastlake School was used as a transportation depot and garage for District No. 12. The vintage building stands in good shape today. The age of the building is not a determining factor in the educational value of the school. The adequacy is best measured by how it lends itself to changes on the in- side, and keeps up with modern curriculum. (Eastlake School Bus In 1920’s Photo here.) Acknowledgments Mr. & Mrs. Lambertson Mr. & Mrs. Lauridson Bertha Heid Norman Smith Robert Huckins References District No. 12 Executive Paper Colorado Historical Society ********************* WESTLAKE SCHOOL 13085 Lowell Boulevard Broomfield, Colorado History of Site The present Westlake School was opened to students in 1902. At that time it was located in School District Number 34, which was eighteen miles north of Denver. The area of this District was about five miles long and three miles wide. The reason for building Westlake School was because there were a lot of farmers in the area and they didn’t want their kids to go some place far away for school. There was a frame school on the site before the brick school building was built in 1902. The farmers made their living farming irrigated land that produced wheat, oats, hogs, sheep, chickens and turkeys. Before the school was built the center of attention was called Orchard Corners, which was a restaurant and a garage combined. After Westlake was built, however, it became the center of the community. Social events such as wedding, holiday celebrations, and community dances were held at the school. At that time Westlake School taught grades one through eight. Almost all the children who attended Westlake belonged to 4-H Clubs. The boys worked on projects raising calves, chickens, or other farm animals, while the girls engaged in cooking and sewing projects. The students attended the school regularly and rated fairly high in the Stanford Achievement Tests. After they completed the eighth grade, the District paid tuition for the students of Westlake to attend high school in Lafayette, Colorado. John Metzner, who was once Attorney General of Colorado, attended Westlake School. Also at one time, a boy from Westlake represented the county as one of the top twenty- five spellers in the state. Westlake was also proud of their Young Citizens League. At one time it put on a meeting for the entire state. When the brick school was started, one teacher was hired for fifty dollars a month to teach grades one through eight. Westlake got its name from a lake that was supposed to be located west of the school. Actually, the lake was more north of the school and is now dried up. Westlake was one of the first rural districts in Adams County to implement a hot lunch program. The program was initiated by a husband and wife teaching team. Mr. and Mrs. Brown. They occupied the basement level of the school for living quarters. The upper three rooms were used as class rooms. The largest room downstairs was used as an all-purpose room. At first the cooking was done by volunteer mothers, but by the early 1940s, the school hired a cook for about three dollars a day. One teacher was in charge of running the lunch programs. She kept a record of the total amount of money spent on food and the money collected. If the funds ran low the teachers would get together and arrange money-making projects to balance the cost of the lunch programs. In 1910, a railroad came through twenty miles east of the school. The population in the area then began to increase and that is how the Eastlake School District was formed. On September 28, 1950, Westlake consolidated with the Eastlake, Northglenn, and Thornton areas to become the present-day School District No. 12. Many people in the area were very upset because they had consolidated. They were very proud of their District No. 34, and they wanted to keep it the way it was. In 1952, Westlake was closed, because it didn’t have enough fire exits, but in 1953, the District had to re- open it, because of the increase in population. The parents were very upset because they didn’t want their children going ‘back to Westlake. In 1902, Westlake had fifty-eight student enrolled, but during 1939-1940 the number of student had declined to twenty. In 1967, Westlake had an enrollment of a hundred and fifteen students. In 1974, Westlake be- came the District No. 12 Alternative School with a present-day enrollment of fifty-eight students. Westlake school originally had a coal furnace, but it was later replaced by a gas furnace. There were also two double outhouses outside behind the school. These, however, were also replaced when bathrooms were built in the basement of the school. The only problem with the bathrooms remains in the fact that there is only one mirror when the girls and boys fight over contin- uously. They only have one mirror because the other one broke, and so the girls and boys each want it in their own bathroom. There have been no changes to the outside of the school, but many changes have been made to the inside. A divider has been built inside and a lot of painting has also been done. A church organization now rents the school for use on Wednesdays and Sundays and they have put up paneling downstairs in the basement. The outside of the building is very old and doesn’t look like any attempt at restoration has been made. The inside of the school also needs much work, which can be expected since this is a very old building, and little effort has been made to keep It up to current standards. Westlake Alternative High School is operated by School District No. 12. This Alternative High School is for students who do not like the traditional high schools and dropped out. Students make out contracts and then work to fulfill them. If the student completes his or her contract they pass, if not they fail. The present Director of Westlake School is Mr. Ken Staub, who also teaches English and history. The secretary is Nancy Sand, who also teaches office skills, home economics, and typing. The teachers are Carol Barr, who teaches English and history, Jane McCoid, who teaches math- ematics and science, and Linda Bidlike, who is a part- time counsellor and psychology teacher. The students take part in maintaining the school. They do a lot of the painting and other odd jobs for the school. Westlake also has a janitor through the District, M. Keil. She paints and does other things that are not actually a part of her job. The future of Westlake School is questionable. Should the school district find the need for a building, it seems reasonable to assume that it should be renovated to better suit that need. If the district no longer utilizes the building as a school it should best be restored to a historic site and preserved as such. Acknowledgments Bertha Heid Jim Lung Quinton Barnett Nancy Sand Stan Leftwick Ron Stacy Norman Smith Ted Hulstrom References District No. 12 Executive, November 6, 1967. P. 5 ********************* BELLEVIEW COLLEGE (Pillar of Fire Church) Location Description The building itself looks like an old mansion out of a ghost story. It is surrounded by grassy plains and a few trees here and there. There Is a water tower that sits off to the left side, in the back of the building. There is a baseball field that sits off to the right. In the back of the building there is a garage where buses and materials are kept. In front of the build- ing there is a field with lots of weeds in it. Down on the far right is the church’s private cemetery. History of Site On June 14, 1891, the newspaper in Denver told of an event that would turn a small farm community into a college town. The "Princeton of the West" was to be built on top of Crown Point, overlooking the area. Mr. Henry J. Mayham purchased part of the land. He then convinced Reverend T. H. Hopkins, D. D., of Denver, that this was the perfect place to put the Presbyterian University. The Denver Presbytery approved the action made by Dr. Hopkins and the Board of Trustees, for the planned University, on October 7, 1891. It was stated In the newspaper that the Presbytery had bought 640 acres for the site of the University. The estimated cost for this land was about $400,000. The Idea of having a University near Harris, which is now Westminster, was considered a good plan. The University would not only bring in additional money, but would also bring educated people and a little sophistication to the farming community of Harris. The Construction of the Building Westminster University’s main building was designed by architect E. B. Gregory in 1891. Construction began and, the following year, the cornerstone was laid at the top of Crown Point. The panic of 1893 tightened the University funds and construction had to be delayed. By that time the estimated construction cost had risen to $1,000,000. Mayham continued to finance the plan but had the building redesigned by Stanford White, a New York architect. White’s design consisted of a three floor structure, with parlors, classrooms, offices, and a tower. White decided to use red sandstone instead of grey, which Gregory had intended to use. In 1899, rumors were going around that the Westminster University plan would have to be abandoned, but funds were raised in the East and construction was able to continue. The University also received donations from Colorado residents. Maxcy Tabor gave $106,060 from the estate of his mother, Augusta Tabor, who was the first wife of H. A. W. Tabor. On September 14, 1907, classes were reopened. A year later coed classes were started in the main building. About sixty students were enrolled. High salaries were paid to the faculty but, for some unknown reason, every one of the teachers left the University in April. There were no records found explaining why the faculty disappeared. A new group of teachers was hired for the 1909-1910 school year. By April 1912, the school’s debts were paid off. In a short time, however, more financial problems arose. The University couldn’t get enough money to pay the teachers. The faculty continued to work, trying to keep the school from closing. In 1915, the Board of Trustees decided to change the school to an all-male University. This change was not a very wise move. World War I was starting and most of the students were drafted. In 1917,. the University was forced to close. For the following three years the building was rented to a farmer who ran a chicken house and a granary in the basement. Pillar Of Fire In January 1920, the building was purchased by Pillar of Fire Church for $40,000. Included in the purchase was a two-story dormitory building and forty acres of land. Pillar of Fire found the building badly run down. Six hundred dollars worth of windows had been broken. Farm machinery had been left on the first floor of the main building. There were cracks in the stone walls, broken plaster, and the base of the tower was cracked and ready to collapse. By September 1920, the building had been restored. It was reopened and was known as Westminster College and Academy Five years later the name was changed to Belleview College. Reverend Ray B. White became President of the college and served until his death, in 1946. His brother, Dr. K. White, then became President. Ray and Arthur were the sons of Mrs. Alma White who founded the Pillar of Fire Church. Early in 1928, part of the main building was converted to a radio studio. On March 9, 1928, KPOF went on the air with five hundred watts. This radio studio is the oldest radio station on the air with its original call letters. Since the beginning of KPOF, the power of the station has been increased to five thousand watts. It operates all day, carrying news, educational programs, classical music, and religious services. Belleview College is still in operation today and has coeducational classes ranging from kindergarten through college. Robert B. Dallenbach is the present President of Belleview College and is also the general manager of KPOF. The building itself is maintained by tuition from students that can afford to pay a tuition. It is also maintained by donations that people give, because they like what the organization is doing at the school and radio station. The future plan for the school is to restore the building as a monument or historical site. They also plan to expand the college to a regular size campus. This will include things such as an administrative building, a gymnasium, dormitories, classrooms, and recreation fields. During the summer of 1975, the main building of Belleview College was nominated to the National Register as an item of historical and architectural significance. We will probably see this historical and unique building standing for many years to come. Acknowledgements Carl Jacobson Robert B. Dallenbach ********************* HISTORY OF THE WELBY AREA and THE CLINE SCHOOL Research Team: Ron Rood Gary Mohr Kent Monor Early settlement of the Welby Community dates back to 1889, when the first pioneers from eastern homes came to Denver and the adjacent territory in wagons drawn by oxen. These people (mostly men) were on their way to the famous Pikes Peak Gold field. Many of them went on to the gold mining sections; a great many became dis- couraged and turned back; a few stopped in Denver which was then a frontier settlement on the west bank of Cherry Creek and known as Auraria; while few of the hardy, earnest home seekers settled along the banks of Clear Creek and the Platte River. It was only natural that the settlements should be made near streams, and close to the little towns and military forts. All supplies were brought into the area by wagons from the east. Not until 1870 was there a railroad through here. Then, principally, through the efforts of Mr. John Evans, who had served as territorial Governor from 1862 to 1865, and some co-workers who had a vision of the ultimate development of this new west, the Union Pacific Railroad Company built a branch line into Denver from Cheyenne. During these years, the food and other necessities were exorbitantly high in price, principally because everything was freighted so far by means of wagons, and also because this time embraced the civil war and the reconstruction period. Sluice-mining produced a quantity of gold dust, which was largely used instead of money. Some of the settlers were quite successful in raising potatoes near the streams, and these were taken by wagon loads to the mining camps and sold for almost their weight in gold. The country on both sides of the Platte River, and extending west. to the mountains, was practically un- fenced. The raising of horses, cattle and mules where there was so much free range, was a successful industry. Realizing the necessity for irrigation, the foreseeing farmers of Welby surveyed for ditches, and received charters from the government recording their water- rights for irrigation purposes. The water was taken out of Clear Creek; the ditches extending ten or twelve miles toward the northeast on the west side of the river. The Lower Clear Creek Ditch water-right dates from 1861, while the Agricultural Ditch dates back to 1866. It was these exceptional water-rights that have made Welby a desirable farm and garden section. Among the very early settlers here were: J. H. Batch- eler, C. Corbic, Mr. Sepris (later mayor of Denver); Mr. Fox, J. W. Cline, George Seigler, P. Smith, J. W. Kerr, G. Dennisen, A. R. Taggart, and V. S. Wright. Many of those early settlers sold their farms and moved to the city in the 1870’s. A very few of the men brought young wives with them across the plains, other "made a stake" and went back after "the girls they left behind," and a few married the sisters of pioneer neighbors. The first marriage in the Welby community was that of Charles Corbin and Eliza Birch, the latter being a girl of sixteen who came with her brother and a young married couple from Ohio. Early one morning in the summer of 1859, this young couple started for Golden, walking all the way, where they were married, return- ing the next day. Their oldest daughter, Mary Corbin, born in September 1860, was the first white child born in this vicinity. The early settlers, like pioneers in all new countries, endured many hardships. Not the least of their worries were the annoying Indians. While they were not mal- icious, they were very much inclined to steal anything which was left outside the door and unless the women kept their doors securely locked, they would walk in without knocking and would try to "swap" for any article which might attract their admiration. The round top mound currently known as Welby Hill was then known as Mt. Lookout and was used as an observa- tion point by military scouts, as there were several Indian camps nearby. The Utes, Cheyennes, and Arapa- hoe Indians had one large camp near the mouth of Clear Creek. Old Chief Renshaw was a prominent figure, whose camp was up the draw or hollow, above what was the Globeville road and is now Washington Street. This draw was and is still known as Renshaw Hollow. The camp is near the old Bukeutz School which is now an Indian swap shop. Nearby territory was organized into school districts, namely: District No. 3 north of Welby and known as Patron, and District No. 14 just across the river known as Adams City. Realizing the importance of education, the parents of Welby proceeded to get a petition having the names of all children from cradle-size to the young- er married women, and in 1873 District No. 16, now District No. 1, was organized. The first board of directors were J. H. Batcheller, J. W. Cline, and William Dennison. The first school teacher was a Mr. Allender, the school house being an abandoned claim shanty about twelve feet square, stand- ing on the hillside about forty feet west from the Cline School on 78th and York. About ten years later, a one room brick building was erected at the present site of Cline School. In 1893 the school population having outgrown accommo- dations, the present four room building known as the Cline School was created and the school was graded. The first principal who was made responsible for the grading of the school was Mrs. Decatur, her first assis- tant being Mrs. Parker Cline of Patron. Other home girls who taught with Mrs. Decatur were: Mrs. McCarrier of Delta, and Miss Hutchings. A three room building, the Rankin School, and a pri- mary school known as Siegrist School were established in the western and southern parts of the district. In 1919 the first separate high school was established with Mrs. F..P. Douglas as principal. Our pioneer ancestors traveled miles to attend social gatherings, consisting of kitchen dances, neck-tie parties, quilting bees, etc. The first church was a union church, the little frame building standing at Patron, and in this little church the people gathered from far and near for the first community Christmas tree about 1873. Soon after an Episcopalian Church was built but later the building was sold. About 1904 a Methodist Church was erected but it was destroyed by fire in 1916. The Catholic Church was built in 1911. During all those years, however, the school building had been used for Sunday School and other church services when churches were not available. In 1921 a Catholic Parochial School was built across the street from the Cline school. This alleviated the overcrowded conditions of the public school within the area. By 1935 the enrollment at the Cline School was 50 students with three respective teachers. One teacher taught kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd; the inter- mediate teacher taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th and the upper- grade teacher taught 6th, 7th and 8th. Between 1921 and 1924 Cline School was modernized; That is, a hand-fed stoker replaced the "pot-belly" stove; lavatories replaced outside accommodations and a water drinking fountain replaced the outside water pump. During the forties the enrollment dropped to 38 students; however, the district continued to employ 3 teachers who were able to meet the needs of each student. From a farming community, Welby gradually changed to an intensive gardening vicinity. A few truck farmers, realizing the advantages of our good soil, excellent water rights, nearness to Denver as an exceptional market, and other advantages, began buying land in five and ten acre tracts and now there are many gardens instead of former large fields of hay and grain. The population at that time was composed of Americans, Scandinavians, Italians, Germans, and a few Japanese, with the Italian population predominating. Among the first Italians to locate in the Welby vicin- ity were the Rende, Mauro, Center, Mazone, Covillo, De Rose, and Domenico families. About 1909, soon after the D. L. & N. W. and the U.P. Railroads constructed their lines through the valley, a general store was opened at Welby by Mr. and Mrs. D. Rotello. This busi- ness was then transferred to Tony Labriola. With the development of the Western Hills area and the Thornton area, and the state mandate for consolidation of school districts, during the early fifties the en- tire picture of the Cline School changed. In 1953 the K-4 students were bussed to the North Washington Street School and the 5th-8th students were bussed to the Cline School with 5 teachers at the Washington School and 4 teachers at the Cline School. This arrangement was to continue until the Lucy Auld School was complet- ed, when all students of the district would attend one school and the two older schools would be abandoned. On January 28, 1954, District No. 16 united with Dis- trict No. 1. The new school district was named Maple- ton School District No. 1. Lucy Auld School, which was to house all the students of the former school dis- trict No. 16, opened September 1954. However, the en- rollment had increased to such an extent that the fol- lowing arrangement had to be made: 4 sections of first graders, 3 sections of third graders and 2 sections of fourth graders were housed at the Lucy Auld School; 4 sections of second graders were housed at the Cline School; 2 sections of fifth graders and 2 sections of sixth graders were housed at the North Washington School and the seventh and eighth grade students were transported to the Mapleton Junior High School. By September 1955, Cline School was closed. The orig- inal building with its additions and modernization built in the early 1800’s still exists. It is no longer school property, having been sold several years ago. It has served many purposed since its erection; namely, social gatherings, consisting of kitchen and box socials, dances, neck-tie parties, church services for our pioneer ancestors, as well as education for many parents and grandparents who are still living in the area and scattered throughout the world. Recently, the school has been remodeled and has been used as a flea market and several Mexican Restaurants. Presently the building is unoccupied. References: Mr. and Mrs. Tony Cosimi Mr. and Mrs. Mike Fiore Mrs. Mary Decatur Mrs. Clara Ciancio School District No. 1 Many parts of this chapter were taken from published writing by Mary Decatur and Marie Cosimi. ********************* WESLEY CHAPEL CEMETERY 120th Avenue and Huron Adams County Colorado Research Team: Peggy Humann Nancy Leigh Marcia Wood The Wesley Chapel Cemetery was founded in 1889. It was deeded by Richard Moxley to the Morey Chapel on April 1, 1891, for the sum of $1.00 On January 2, 1895, Morey Chapel deeded the land to the Wesley Methodist Chapel and Cemetery Association. The deeds are - "forever and ever." (Photo here) The Cemetery is located at 120th and Huron. The Wesley Methodist Chapel (1891) was located on the southern part of the cemetery with its front door facing what is now 120th. The church, with pride, was able to claim six stained glass windows. In the 1930’s the church was relocated in Broomfield. (Photo here) Mr. Percy Marion is the present caretaker of the ceme- tery. The Wesley Chapel Cemetery Association is in charge of it. One of the few times that vandals bothered the cemetery, six gravestones were stolen. One of them, belonging to Mrs. McIntosh’s brother, was a lamb and scroll made of marble. Most of the people who are buried there died of normal causes, old age or sickness. Two, however did not. Dell Shaffer was killed by lightening. Mr. Hartley was killed when a hay rack upset on him during a wind- storm. The owners of the different lots can not necessarily be traced by the deeds. Sometimes the persons who bought the lots ended up reselling their lots or giv- ing them to a neighbor who had died without owning any. (Photo here) Many organizations have tried to buy or use part of the cemetery. Fuller & Co. offered to take care of the cemetery if they could set up a gas station on the corner of 120th and Huron where no graves are located. Their offer was refused. The Front Range Development attempted to move the graves to a cemetery in Greeley. Two things stopped them. One was the "forever" deed. The other was that the graves could not be moved without the nearest relatives consent. Many of the relatives could not be found or were not known. When 120th was widened, the road crew tore down some of the fences surrounding the cemetery. They rebuilt the southern edge with modern fencing. The Wesley Chapel Association rebuilt the western and norther fences. The Public Service does have a sub- station on the northern edge of the cemetery. The following illustration shows the cemetery and the location of it’s five blocks.* (Hand drawn map here) * Mrs. McIntosh on Riverdale Rd. has many of the graves located on a map she made using the infor- mation from a list of deeds, their owners, and location. This list was made by Clara Cree of Greeley. (Photo here) Moxley Family Plot (photo caption) There are over 100 people buried at the cemetery. Many are unknown. Some of the wooden crosses mark the graves of those too poor to buy tombstones. Others mark the grave of a person whose name was never known to those who buried him. Most of the graves are located in the northern part of blocks 2 & 3, and the southwestern corner of block 5. The Moxley brother[s], Richard and Frank, came to Colo- rado in the hope of curing Frank’s T.B. The move did not help the Irish brothers. Six months after Richard had deeded the land to Morey Chapel, Frank was buried there at the age of thirty-seven (1854- 1891). The last person to be buried at the cemetery was ninety-six year old Clara Johnson in the late 1960’s. Her maiden name was Hutchinson. She was buried in a large fenced off family plot. (Photo of Richard Moxley's gravestone here) The grave of a soldier, located near the west fence. (Photo of soldier's gravestone here) (Photo of cemetery) The cemetery as seen from the center of the gravestones. Joseph Scott, second person buried at the cemetery. (Photo of Jospeh Scott's gravestone) The following nine pages were written by Mrs. Clara Cree.* Some of the information is incorrect or incomplete. The first two paragraphs on page 1 are rewritten correctly as follows: This cemetery was founded in 1889, the land was a gift of Richard Moxley, 1852-1928, to the Wesleyan Methodist Church and Cemetery Association for use as a cemetery and Church ground forever and ever. The first land title was deeded April 1891. Due to a technical error, a second deed was recorded January 1895. The first burial was Mr. Moxley’s brother, Frank Moxley, b. 1854, who died October 17, 1891 at the age of 37. He was buried in Block 3, Lot #2, Space #______. Corrections from page 3 of deed book: 1891 #1. Buried - Mr. Frank Moxley, (b. 1854) in Block 3, Lot #1, Space #1, who dies 17 October 1891, Age 37. Brother of Richard Moxley. *Mrs. McIntosh’s copy was used for the research. References: Mr & Mrs. Percy Marion Mr. David McIntosh and his mother Mr. & Mrs. Tom Shaffer Brighton Courthouse ------------------------------- WESLEYAN METHODIST CEMETARY ASSOCIATION Quinby (Adams County) Colorado Now 120th Street and Huron (North of Denver, Colorado) This Cemetery was founded in 1891, the land was a gift of Richard Moxley, 1852 - 1928 to the Wesleyan Methodist Church and Cemetery Association for use as cemetery and Church ground forever and ever. The first land title was deeded August 180_ - Due to a technical error, a second deed was recorded 189_ The first, burial was Mr. Moxley's father [should say brother], Moxley, b. 1854, who died 17 October 1891 at the age of 37. He was buried in Block 3, Lot #1, Space #1. The second burial also took place in 1891, Joseph M. Scott, b. 1813 burled in Block 3, lot #2 Space #__ . The following are the deeds, as registered in the deed book: Deed #1. Owner - Hutchinson - Lots #10 & #11 in Block 3 - Date _________ " #2. " Walter Martin - Lot #19, Block 3 " _________ [1895 penciled in] " #3. " Jos. H. Marion - Lot2 Block 3 " 7-6-1898 " #4. " Mrs. _______Black - Lot 10 Block 2 " 7-6-98 " #5. " John Frey - Lot l2 Block 2 " 7-6-98 " #6. " James Mock - Lot 11 Block 2 " 10-3-98 " #7. " John Frey - Lot 13 Block 2 " 12-30-99 " #8. " William Tuck - Lot 8 Block 3 " 12-30-99 " #9. " S. Freeman - Lot 21 Block 2 " Aug 1900 " #10. " L. E. Plaster - Lot 14 Block 2 " 12 - 7- 1900 " #11. " Harry Lunemaker - Lot 16 Block 3 " 1-15-1901 " #12. " ________ Faulkner - Lot 3 Block 2 " 2-12-1902 " #13. " Sol Barcus - Lot 5 Block 3 " 2-12-1902 " #14. " Martin Frost - Lot 4 Block 2 " 12-10-1902 " #15. " Fred Holick - Lot 5 Block 3 " January 1904 " #16. " H. F. Snook - Lot 5 Block 2 " 6-3-04 " #17. " Chas. Ludwig - Lot 9 Block 2 " May 4 1905 " #18 " Walter Tuck - Lot 9 Block 3 Date 5-4-05 " #19 " C. H. Haynes - 1/2 lot 13 Block 3 " 5-4-05 " #20 " W. M. Heintzey - ? " l0-7-05 " #21 " _____ Hartley -Lot 2 Block 2 " ? " #22 " (Receipt stub blank) " #23 " Harry Waters - Lot 20 Block 3 " 4-10-1908 " #24 " (Receipt stub missing) " #25 " Judith Vogel - 15 & 16 Block 2 " ? " #26 " Jane Harris - Lot 24 - Block 3 " May 1907? 1907? [1909 penciled in margin] " #27 " Teresa Eppinger - Lot 17 Block 2 " July 12 1909 " #28 " Charles Wheeler - Lot 17 Block 3 " 7-2-1910 " #29 " S. H. Phillips Lot 31 - Block 3 " 4-21-14 " #30 " George Schwab - south Lot 3 Block 3 " 2-16-1918 " #31 " Mrs. H. H. Foster - South Lot 30 Blk 2 " 2-18-1918 " #32 " Fred C. Brestel - Lot 26 Block 2 " March 10, 1921 " #33 " Adolph Myers - ? " 7-10-22 " #34 " Danel Guenn - 1/2 Lot 9 Block 5 " ? Page 2 Deed #35. Owner - Madeline Patterson - Lot 21 Block 2 Date ? " #36. " (Receipt stub blank) " #37. " " " " #38 " Mrs. Luana Dilsaver - No1/2 Lot 1 Block 2 " ? " #39. " Eli Bruchez - Lot 28 Block 2 " 7-9-26* " #40. " Voided " #41 " M. (?) Weingarten - Lot 27 Block 2 " 5-4-26 " #42. " R. F. Burress - Lot 42 - Block 2 " 3-23-27 " #43. " Robert Eppinger - Lot 40 Block 2 " 12-7-28 " #44. " Juanita Trujillo - South Lot 7 Blk 5 " 4-23-29 " #45. " A. W. Norris - 1/2 of Lot 29 Block 2 " 7-10-29 " #46. " C. W. Morgan - South1/2 of Lot 29 Block 2 " 8-20-29 " #47. " Frank Carrillo - 1/2 Lot 7 Block 5 " 8-12-30 " #48. " James Crooks (?) - Lot 1 Block 5 " 11-13-30** " #49 " Sterling Canterbury Lot 41 Block 2 " 11-15-30 " #50. " _________ Morris - North 1/2 Lot Block 2 " 9-13-31 " #51. " O. Fernandez - 1 space west side for baby " 9-29-32 " #52. " Nick Miller - 1 space west side next to fence - ? " #53. " Jacob Vigil - 1 grave Block 5 Date 10-13-34 " #54. " (Receipt stub blank) " #55. " (Receipt stub missing) " #56. " Chas. Quimby - Lot 41 Block 2 " 2-14-35 " #57. " Marvin Martin and Lillian McIntosh, Lot 19, Block 3 " 4-21-36 " #58. " Floyd Pais - 1 grave Block 2 " 1-20-37 " #59. " Alda (Dilsaver) Sullivan - 1 grave Block 2 " 1966 * Was told that the Bruchez graves were later moved to Crown Hill Cemetery, Denver, Colorado. ** This name spelled "Crooks" is supposedly incorrect, and should be Crokes, pronounced "Croak". Page 3. FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF EVENTS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.....AS THEY HAPPENED IN THE Wesleyan Methodist Cemetery: 1891 #1. Buried - Mr. ________ Moxley, (b. 1854) in Block 3, Lot #1, Space #1, who died 17 October 1891, Age 37. Father of Richard Moxley. #2. Buried - Joseph M. Scott - 1813-1891. Block 3 Lot #2. Space #2. 1894 #3. Buried - Kate May Hutchinson - 1876-1894 - Block 3, Lot #11, Space #1. 1895 #4. Buried - Carl W. Martin - 1895 - 8 mos 10 days. Block 3, Lot #19, Space #1. #5. Buried - David J. Faulkner - 1897 - 44 years, Block 2, Lot #3, Space #2 February 7, 1897. 1898 Deed #3 - Jos. H. Marion - Block 3 Lot 2 - 7-6-1898 Deed #4 - Mrs. Black - Block 2 Lot 10 - 7-7-98 Deed #5 - John Frey - Block 2 Lot 12 - 7-6-98 Deed #6 - James Mock - Block 2 Lot 11 - 10-3-98 1899 Deed #7 - John Frey - Block 2 Lot 13 - 12-30-99 Deed #8 - William Tuck - Block 3 Lot 8 - 12-30-99 #6. Buried - Arthur L. Hutchinson - Block 3 Lot 10 Space 1, 1870-1899 #7. Buried - John Frey - son of John and Emma Frey. 7 May 1899 8 years 6 mos. Block 2 Lot 12, Space 1. #8 Buried - Jacob Frey. April 23 1867 - April 27, 1899. Block 2 Lot 12, Space 4. 1900 Deed #9 - S______ Freeman - Block 2 Lot 21 - August 1900 Deed #10 - L. E. Plaster - Block 2 Lot 14 - 12-17-1900 #9. Buried - Sedalia Martin - 1873-1900 - Block 3, Lot 15, Space 3. 1901 Deed #11 - Harry Nunemaker [?] - Block 3 lot 16 - 1-15-1901. 1902 Deed #12 - _______ Falkner - Block 2, lot 3 - 2-12-1902. Deed #13 - Sol Barcus - Block 3, Lot 5 - 2-12-1902 Deed #14 - Martin Frost - Block 2, Lot 4 - 12-10-02 #10 Buried - Ella L. Wood - Block 3, Lot 3, Space 1. August 13 1871, January 1, 1902. #11 Samuel Frost - April 13 1902 - 5 mos. (Interesting note: There is a footstone on Block 2, Lot 5. space 2, but the headstone with the above information is on Lot 20 Block 2, space 1. Could the stone possible have been put on the wrong grave space.....or did vandals move it?) Page 4. 1903 #12. - Joseph Reinegel - November 13 1890 - August 15 1903; Block 2 Lot 21?, Space 4. 1904 Deed #15. - Fred Holick - Block 3, Lot 4 - January 1904. Deed #16. - H. F. Snook - Block 2, lot 5 - 6-3-04. #13. - Buried - Agnes Scott Maxwell - 1859 - 1904; Block 3, Lot 2, Space 3. #14. - Buried - Maria S. Bork Wife of August Holick - March 20, 1831 - January 11, 1904 - Block 3 Lot 1., Space 1. #15. - Buried - Jasper Hartley - 1851 - 1904 - Block 2, Lot 2, Space 1. 1905 Deed #17. - Chas. Ludwig - Block 2, lot 9 - May 4, 1905. Deed #18 - Walter Tuck - Block 3, Lot 9 - 5-4-05. Deed #19. - C. H. Haynes - Block 3, 1/2 Lot #13 - 5-4-05. Deed #20. - W. M. Heintzey - 10-7-05. Deed #21. - _________ Hartley, Block 2, Lot 2 - 1905. #16. - Buried - Leslie E. Waters March 30, 1903 - June 8, 1905; Block 3, Lot 20, Space 1. #17. - Buried - Robert H. Hartley - 1856 - 1905 - Block 2, Lot 2, Space 2. 1906 #18. - Buried - George Mc Cracken - 1865. - 1506 - IOOF - FOTE Block 2, Lot 2, Space 4. 1907 #19. - Buried - Willis L. Waters - June 29 1906- August 20, 1907 - Block 3, Lot 20, Space 2. #20. - Buried - Elizabeth Frey - 1840-1907 - Block 2, Lot 13, Space 2. 1908 Deed #23. - Harry Waters - Block 3, Lot 20 - 4-10-1908. #21. - Buried - William Eppinger - July 15, 1859 - September 13 1908. - Block 2, Lot 17, Space 1. 1909 Deed #25. - Judith Vogel - Block 2, Lots 15 and 16 - 1909 Deed #26. Jane Harris - Block 3, Lot 24 - May 1909. Deed #27. - Teresa Eppinger - Block 3, Lot 17 - July 12, 1909 #22. - Buried Hilry Harris - 1839 - 1909 - Block 3, Lot 24, Space 2. #23. - Buried - Jacob Vogel - Father - 1831 - 1909 - Block 2, Lot 16, Space 1. Page 5. 1910 Deed #28. - Chas. Wheeler - Block 3, Lot 17 - 7-2-1910. #24. - Buried - Judith Vogel - Mother - 1840 - 1910 - Block 2, Lot 16, Space 2. 1914 Deed #29. - S. H. Phillips - Block 3, Lot 31 - 4-21-14. #25. - Buried - Jonathan Quimby - 1825 - 1915 - Block 3, Lot 10, Space 2. #26. - Buried - Maria H. Quimby - 1835 - 1915 - Block 3, Lot 10, Space 3. 1916 #27. - Buried - Victor M. Weingarten - 1919 - 1926 - Block 2, Lot 31? - Space ? 1917 #28. - Buried - Stella Foster - 1902-1917 - Block 3, Lot 30, Space 1. 1918 Deed #30. - George Schwab - Block 3, South 1/2 Lot 3 - 2-18-1918 Deed #31. - Mrs. E. H. Foster - Block 3, Lot 30 - 2-18-1918. #29. - Buried - Eppinger - May 8, 1859 - November 24, 1918 - Block 2, Lot 17, Space 2. 1919 #30. - Buried - Matthew Maxwell - 1853 - 1919 - Block 3, Lot 2, Space 4?. #31. - Buried - Charles L. Scott - February 22 - April 12, 1919 - Block 2, Lot. 36? 1920 #32. - Buried - Elvin H. Foster - 1856 - 1920 - Block 3, Lot 30, Space 2. #33. - Buried - Isabel Hartley - 1864 -1920 - Block 2, Lot 2, Space 3. 1921 Deed #32. - Fred C. Brestel - Block 2, Lot 26 - 10 March 1921. #34. - Buried - Karl Brestel - Drowned while ice skating - small lake west and north of the cemetery. Block 2, Lot 26, Space 1. #35. - Sarah E. Parsell - (Patterson) - March 28, 1842- June 24, 1921 - Block 2, Lot__? (25?), Space 1. 1922 Deed #33. - Adolph Myers - - 7-10-22. #36. - Buried - Mary E. Hutchinson - 1847 - 1922 - Block 3, Lot 11, Space 2. Page 6. 1923 #37. - Buried Juanita Turjillo - 1853 - 1923 - Block 5, Lot 7, Space __ 1924 #38. - Buried - Percy H. Moxley - 1903-1924 - Block 3, lot 1, Space 2. 1925 Deed #38. - Mrs. Luana Dilsaver - Block 2, North 1/2 Lot 1 - 1925 #39. - Buried - Albert Dilsaver - October 9, 1864 - September 14, 1925 - Block 2, Lot 1, Space 3. #40. - Buried - John Frey - 1841- 1925 - Block 2, Lot 13, Space 1. 1926 Deed #39. - Eli Bruchez - Block 2, Lot 28 - 7-9-26. Deed #40. - M. Weingarten - Block 2, Lot 27- 5-4-26 #41. - Buried - Victor M. Weingarten - 1919-1926. - Block 2, Lot 31? - 1927 Deed #42. -R. F. Burress - Block 2, Lot 42 - 3-23-27 #42 - Buried - Joseph Marion - 1847 - 1927 - Block 3, Lot 2, Space ? 1928 Deed #43. - Robert Eppinger - Block 2, Lot 40 - 12-7-28. #43. - Buried - Richard Moxley - 1852-1928 - Block 3, Lot 1, Space 4. #44. - Adelia M. Burress - 1895-1928 - Mother - Block 2, Lot 42, Space 1. #45. - Buried - Richard Eppinger - Infant Son - Block 2, Lot (40?). 1929 Deed #44. - Juanita Trujillo - Block 5, South 1/2 Lot 7 - 4-23-29. Deed #45. - A. W. Norris - Block 2, 1/2 Lot 29 - 7-10-29. Deed #46. - C. W. Morgan - Block 2, South 1/2 Lot 29 - 8-20-29. #46. - Buried - Theodore A. Hutchinson - 1842-1929 - 1st Sgt. Co. C. 17. Michigan Infantry - Block 3, Lot 11 Space 3. 1930 Deed #47. - Frank Carillo - Block 5, Lot 7 1/2 - 8-12-30. Deed #48 - James Crooks (Crokes?) - Block 5, Lot 1 - 11-11-30. Deed #49. - Sterling Canterbury - Block 2, Lot 41 - 11-15-30 #47. - Buried - Fern Cantebury - July 21, 1930 - November 14, 1930 - Block 2, Lot 41. Space 3? Page 7. 1931 Deed #50. - _______ Norris - Block 2, North 1/2 Lot 28 - 9-19-31. #48. - Buried - Walter Martin - Block 3, Lot 19, Space 4. 1868-1931. #49. - Buried - Faye E. Cantebury - 1904-1931 - Block 2, Lot 41, Space 4?. 1932 Deed #51. - O. Fernandez - 1 space west side for baby - 9-29-32. 1933 #51. - Buried - Frederich Holick - March 2, 1864 - February 5, 1933 - Block 3, Lot 4, Space 2. #52. - Buried - Herman Holick - May 13, 1861 - December 9, 1933 - Block 3, Lot 4, Space 3. #53. - Buried - Lon Brown - 1861- 1933 - Block 3, Lot 24, Space 3. 1934 Deed #53. - Jacob Vigil - 1 grave Block 5 - 10-13-34. #54. Buried - F. C. Brestol - August 14, 1934 - Block 2, Lot 26, Space 2. 1935 Deed #56 - Chas. Quimby - Block 2, Lot 41 - 2-14-35. 1936 Deed #57. - Marvin Martin and Lillian McIntosh — Block 3, Lot 19 1937 Deed #58. - Floyd Pais - 1 grave Block 2 - 1-20-37. #55 Buried - Ben A. Johnson - 1871 - 1937 - Block 3, Lot 10 Space 3. 1939 #56, - Buried - Jane Harris - 1846-1939- Block 3, lot 24, Space 1. 1940 #57 - Buried - Philena E. Marian - 185O-1940 -Block 3, Lot 2, Space ? #58. - Buried - Christina Fredling (mother of Mrs. F.C. Brestol) May 14, 1856 - July 1, 1940 - Block 2, Lot 26, Space 5.. 1941 #59. - Buried - Madeline A. Patterson - February 17, 1865 - October 27, 1941 - Block 2, Lot ? (21 or 25?) Page 8. 1943 #60. - Buried - Glenn R. Burress - 1923-1943 - son - Block 2, Lot 42, Space 2. 1947 #61. - Buried - Luana Dilsaver - May 7, 1868 - April 4, 1947 - Block 2, Lot 1, Space 4. 1959 #62. - Buried - James W. Patterson - March 5, 1858 - August 30, 1959 - Block 2, Lot ___ (21or25?). 1964 #63. - Patrick J. Sullivan - 1891 - 1964 - Block 2, Lot__(14?), Space 2 (?). 1966 Deed #59. - Alda (Dilsaver) Sullivan - 1 grave Block 2- 1966 1967 #64. - Buried - Clara F. Johnson - 1872 - 1967 - Block 3, Lot 10. Space 2. NOTE: The foregoing burials are not necessarily in the correct numerical order since there were other burieals of which we have not data - dates, names lots, etc. The names of the burials and dates were obtained from the tombstones that are at the cemetery. Otherwise no other record exists at this time. The following are the burials at the cemetery, which have names or initials, but no dates: #65. - Buried - S. B. F. Block 2, Lot 4, Space 2. #66. - " ? (Wooden Marker) - Block 2, Lot 5, Space 1. #67. - " ? " " Block 2, Lot 5, Space 3. #68. - " ? " " Block 2, Lot 11, Space 2. #69. - " W. F. (Footstone - Head marker Missing Block 2, Lot 12, Space 2. #70. - " E. F. (Footstone - Head marker Missing) Block 2, Lot 12, Space 3. #71. - " Effie Plaster - born October 13, 1886 - daughter of Louis E. & Sarah Plaster. Block 2, Lot 14, Space 3. #72. - " Grace Plaster - born January 9, 1899 - daughter of Louise E. and Sara Plaster - Block 2, Lot 14, Space 4. Page 9. [Hannah penciled in.] #73. - Buried - Mrs. ^ F. C. Brestel - Block 2, Lot 26, Space 3. #74. - " ? - Baby’s Stone - had lamb - now missing. Block 3, Lot 8, Space 1. #75. - " ? - Wooden Marker - Block 3, Lot 8 Space 2. #76. - " ? " " " Block 3, Lot 8, Space 3. #77. - " ? " " " Block 3, Lot 8, Space 4. #78. - " ? " " " Block 3, Lot 16, Space 1. #79. - " ? " " Block 3, Lot 16, Space 2. #80. - " ? Footstone O. R. - Headmarker missing - Block 3 Lot 21, Space 2. #81. - " ? Wooden Marker - Block 3, Lot 25, Space 1. #82. - " ? " " - Block 3, Lot 25, Space 2. #83. - " ? " Sunken grave no marker - Block 2, Lot 1 Space 1. #84. - " ? Grave has wire fence around it no marker, Block 2, Lot 28, Space 3. #85. - " ? - Small homemade stone in the middle of a lilac bush. Has carving on it unable to read. Block 2, Lot 29, space 1. #86. - " ? - Small homemade stone in the middle of a lilac bush, Just west of the one above. Block 2, Lot 30, Space 1. #87. - " ? - Wooden Marker - Block 2, Lot 40, Space 1. #88. - " ? - Three granite stone barely above ground, along irrigation ditch., Block 3, Lot ?, Space ? #89. - " ? - One small grante [sic.] stone along irrigation ditch, Block 5, Lot 1, Space?. #90. - " ? - Small granite stone - Block 5, Lot 9, Space ? #91. - " Ambrose Langston, Civil War Veteran, Co 0, 121st Indiana Infantry. - Block 5, Lot ?, Space ? #92. - " ? - Wooden Marker - Block 5, Lot? - Along west fence, between Langston marker and Trujillo Marker. #93. - " ? Wooden Marker - next to the one above. Block 5, Lot ? #94. - " ? Wooden Marker - North of Trujillo marker, Block 5, Lot ? #95. - " ? Wooden Marker - Next to the one above, Block 5. #96. - " ? Wooden Marker Next to the one above, Block 5. (1 Apr 1893 Deed goes here) (2 Jan 1895 Deed goes here) ********************* PLATTE VALLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH and CEMETERY 102nd and Riverdale Road Research Team: Michelle Palm Debbie Pech Transaction To Obtain Church Property One hundred years ago, a little frame church and ceme- tery stood on the west side of Riverdale road. Its parsonage still remains, though boarded up, northeast of the Larkspur Trailer court. The first recorded transaction dealing with the land on which the church sat was a Military Bounty Patent, re- ceived by John J. Brewer from the U.S. Government. On March 1, 1867, Brewer Bold a portion of his 160 acres of land to Jacob and Emily Ike. Ike sold an acre of his land to the Platte Valley Baptist Church on April 19, 1873. On October 27, 1903. Brewer transferred one-fourth acres, immediately north of the acre of ground on which the Platte Valley Congregational Church sat, to the Colorado Congregational Association. The Colorado Congregational Association transferred this one-fourth acres to the Platte Valley Congregation- al Church, on November 23, 1903. This was to be used for the purposes of a Congregational Church and parson- age, if desired. On this land the parsonage was built. (Photo goes here) (Section map here) John Brewer received the entire NE quarter from the U. S. Government. (Section map here) South 1/2 of NE1/4 was sold to Jacob Ide on March 1, 1867 (Section map here) April 19, 1873, Ike sold portion of SW1/4 of NE1/4 to Platte Valley Baptist Church. (Section map here) Octobe 27, 1903, a portion of NW1/4 of NE1/4 was sold to Colorado Congreation Association; November 23, 1903, sold to Plate Valley Congregational Church. (Map goes here) Description Of Church And Grounds The church was built in approximately 1873. The one- room frame building, set firmly on its brick foundation, f aced east. There were three arched windows on either side but no steeple. At the front of the church was an open platform porch, with wooden steps leading up either side. They stored their coal underneath the proch. In the open space in front of the church were hitching posts. The aisle ran from the front door to the preacher’s plat- form. Wooden pews lined either side of the aisle. The pews faced the organ and the preachers platform. There was also a little coal-burning stove and benches used for Sunday School classes in the front of the church. Behind the church building was the cemetery. In 1872, Mr. and Mrs. Arizona Morris were the first people to be buried there. Matthews and Blatzer were names on two of the other tombstones. One grave was enclosed by fence. The parsonage was a frame building located immediately north of the church. On its south side was a bay win- dow. A number of trees surrounded the parsonage. (Photo goes here) Life Of The Church Rev. R. C. Byers, Rev. Bloggets, Rev. Youngclaws, and Rev. Curtis were some of the men who preached at the Platte Valley Church. While Rev. Curtis was ministering there, his little girl died and was buried there. However, her body was removed when the family moved further west. Mrs. Ruth Swartz, daughter of Rev. R. C. Byers, was born in the parsonage during the time he was minister there. One of the highlights of the year was Christmas. Prep- arations and plans were lovingly made by the ladies of the congregation. They asked for donations and then bought a Christmas tree and treats for the children. On Christmas Eve, the Sunday School classes presented a program, along with the special worship service. The grand finale was the arrival of Santa Claus, complete with a sackful of goodies. (Photo goes here) Ownership Transfers Of Land To Present Time After inheriting approximately 40 acres of land, partly bounded by Riverdale Road and 100th Avenue, Mrs. Bess Verrier and her husband, Ed, bought some adjoining land from the Colorado Congregational Church Association. The church, cemetery, and parsonage stood on this land. During the time that Mr. and Mrs. Verrier lived there, they tore down the church building and used its wood for some of their buildings. In 1952, Mrs. Verrier sold the land to Mr. George Johnson, his wife Elizabeth, and Earl Brewer (Eliza- beth’s brother). (John I. Brewer is the grandfather of Bess Verrier and Elizabeth Johnson.) After the deaths of her husband and brother, Elizabeth Johnson sold the land to the Caribou Development Com- pany, in 1970. They are the present owners. List Of Land Deeds Military Bounty Patent U.S. Government to John J. Brewer John I. Brewer to Jacob Ike Jacob Ike to the Platte Valley Baptist Church John I. Brewer to the Colorado Congregational Association Colorado Congregational Association to the Platte Valley Congregational Church Epilogue Today there is no trace of the Platte Valley Congre- gational Church or its Cemetery. Almost anyone that passed by would have no idea that a church building once stood here. Only those that know of it can imagine the way it looked on a Sunday morning, with horse and buggy rigs tethered out front. The familar sounds of children laughing, ladies visiting, and men discussing their affairs, is now but an echo in their minds. The once nicely tended church grounds are now covered in weeds. The parsonage, which was home to the ministers’ families, and even heard the cries of a newborn child, still stands, though now it is boarded up and silent. Perhaps, in the future, it too shall be torn down. Even though the buildings and grounds can be destroyed and forgotten, their memories can not. With the help of this project they shall live on References: Mrs. Daisy Clark Mr. Roy McIntosh Mrs. Lillian McIntosh Mr. Albert Ford Mrs. Duela Ford Mrs. Ruth Swartz Mr. Art Ross Mrs. Beth Johnson ********************* RIVERSIDE CEMETERY Brighton Boulevard and Welby Road Research Team: Ron Moore Jerry Murphy Craig DeRenzo Craig Buth Riverside Cemetery is partly in Adams County and partly in Denver, located where Brighton Boulevard meets Welby Road. It contains nearly 100 acres that range from an area leveled off, sodded and planted with large Shade trees to one that is unkept and overgrown with weeds. The green cemetery is quite a contrast to the dairy salughterhouses, oil refineries, and electric generat- ing station that surrounds it. Railroad tracks run along Riverside’s southeast boundary, and the dirty Platte rans along the northwest side. Riverside Cemetery was started in 1876. A group of about twelve men thought Denver needed a maintained cemetery; there had never been anything more than a collection of private cemeteries. The cemetery was built on a site of land originally homesteaded by the leaders of the group, Dr. John H. Morrison. The River- side Cemetery ABsociation was created, and the cemetery was designed by a man named Lowrie, a civil engineer. It was a capital stock corporation with a total of 20 shares sold at $100 each. Many of Riverside’s early burials were from two other cemeteries. These cemeteries were not well planned or kept up so the bodies were brought to Riverside which was Denver’s only maintained cemetery. Riverside’s Board of Directors voted to discontinue their association in 1900. This allowed Fairmount Cemetery Association to but it and Fairmount has oper- ated Riverside since then. A crematory was built at Riverside Cemetery in 1908. It was the first one to be built between the Missis- sippi River and the West Coast. It is still in use today. Riverside kept its serene setting until about World War I. Denver, along with its industry was growing. There was cheap land available around Riverside so businesses bought it and started building. As indus- try started to move in, Riverside started to decline. Vandalism had always taken its toll. As early as 1906, vandals set fire to a pumphouse, causing considerable damage. Vandals have broken in to the cemetery grounds, stealing tombstones, breaking others, and breaking stained glass windows in the chapel. Drunks have found Riverside a quiet place to be with their bottle or to sleep off a hangover. There were other disrespectful acts at the cemetery, too. In 1920, Riverside was supposedly a meeting place for bootleggers, and they used it as a distribution center for moonshine. During the 1950’s Riverside was used as a storage place for bodies that needed an autopsy. Riverside Cemetery was in such a mess during the 1960’s that newspapers started writing articles to complain. It would take money to repair, and Riverside was los- ing money. When the cemetery first started, people paid a yearly fee for upkeep on their plot. Some people paid an endowment which paid for the plot com- pletely, byt this was not enough money. Not as many people were being buried there as in previous years. The price of a plot when Riverside started was only $8.00, compared to $155 now. Riverside also has a potter’s field, where unknown people without relatives are buried, or people who can’t afford a plot or funeral. Despite all of the financial difficulty, Fairmount Cemetery Association started to improve Riverside in 1969. Trees struck with Dutch elm disease were cut down, some areas were re-seeded with grass, and broken tombstones were repaired or removed. Today, Riverside Cemetery is a very peaceful place. There are many large, elaborate mounuments in River- side. There is a twenty foot statue of Colonel James Archer over his grave. Nathan Addison Baker has a stallion over his grave. It is the only full size horse monument in the United States, and there is only one other one in the world today. Lester Drake, a miner, had miniature replica of his cabin near Black Hawk put over his grave. (2 Photos go here.) Many famous people of Colorado history are buried in Riverside. John L. Routt was Colorado’s last Terri- torial and first state governor. John Evans was a Denver mayor, U.S. senator, Territorial governor, and founder of the University of Denver. Augusta Tabor was the first wife of Colorado’s "Silver King," H. A. W. Tabor. Colonel James Archer helped establish Denver’s gas and water works. John Iliff was probably the biggest cattly rancher in Colorado. Riverside Cemetery is still in use. In 1974, 259 people were added to the more than 61,000 people al- ready there. The crematory is still in use as is the potter’s field. There are many families that have purchased plots, and members of the family are still alive. Riverside Cemetery will probably continue with business for many years, and become a monument to Colorado’s history. References: Colorado, the Land and the People, Katherine Kenehan, 1957 "Denver Cemetery a Monument to Past" The Denver Post, Clark Secrest, August 6, 1964 "Where Denver History Rests" The Denver Post Empire, Olga Curtis, November 22, 1970 * Translator’s license. References: Colorado Magazine, January 1933 Colorado Magazine, January 1964 Men to Match My Mountains, Irving Stone Mountain Men and Fur Trade, 1965 Colorado Magazine, September 1933 Colorado Magazine, January 1953 Trappers and Mountain Men, Evan Mones The West of William Ashley, Old West Pub. 1964 The Fur Trade, Paul Phillips Mrs. Bessie Clark Mrs. Phyllis Witney Mrs. A. J. Hale Mr. Ken Malone Colorado Historical Society Denver Public Library Rivalry at River, Seletha Brown =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.