Charles Boettcher (1852–1948) was one of Colorado’s most important early businessmen and philanthropists. He owned many lucrative businesses, one of which was a cement company. He donated cement to a businessman building a road to the top of a prominent foothill west of Golden, Colorado, known as Lookout Mountain. When the property on top of the mountain became available Boettcher bought sixty-two acres and built Lorraine Lodge, now known as Boettcher Mansion, in 1917 as a summer retreat. It stands as a particularly elaborate example of the rustic foothills lodges that were popular among wealthy Denverites in the early twentieth century. (All photos in this post will enlarge if clicked on.)
Boettcher hired a popular architectural firm of the time; known as Fisher and Fisher, who designed many buildings in Denver. For “Lorraine Lodge,” the Fishers used local harvested stone and wood from the site to construct the massive retreat. The estate, which included the main residence, carriage house, gazebo, and well house, emphasized traditional Arts and Crafts craftsmanship in its design. Large east-facing windows allowed Boettcher to take in the view of Denver, and rooms at the lodge could accommodate fifteen to twenty guests.
Please click to enlarge--photos of Charles Boettcher and his granddaughter Charline Humphreys Breeden.
After Boettcher and his wife, Fannie, officially separated in 1920, the property became Boettcher’s personal retreat and for the next three decades, he stayed at the lodge each year from June to September, using it as a base for hunting and entertaining. Upon Boettcher’s death in 1948, the estate passed to his granddaughter, Charline Humphreys Breeden. Breeden raised her family at the lodge before making plans in the late 1960s to donate the house and surrounding grounds to Jefferson County for public use. When she died in 1972, the 110-acre property officially became county land.
Jefferson County built a nature trail on the grounds and opened the lodge to the public in 1975 as a combined conference and nature center. In the 1980s the entire property was managed by Jefferson County’s Open Space program, but in 1989 Lorraine Lodge was renamed Boettcher Mansion and became its own entity within the Jefferson County Parks Department. These changes were intended to help differentiate the mansion, which had become a popular conference and wedding venue, from the Lookout Mountain Nature Center, which moved into a new building on the property in the 1990s.
In the collage above you can see, what was know as the Fireside Room (left) in the mansion, is now a large banquet room that can accommodate 200 people. Boettcher Mansion has become a popular wedding venue site
There is also a gift shop in the mansion as well as many interesting framed historical photos, period newspaper clippings, and information in the hallways. In the upper right on the collage above, you can see a photo of Chief Colorow. He often roamed this part of Colorado and liked to camp on Lookout Mountain. You can read more about him on this blog post--click here.
Boettcher Mansion and the Lookout Mountain Nature Center continue to share the open-space park at the top of the mountain, which has grown from Boettcher’s original 62-acre purchase to the 134-acre Lookout Mountain Nature Preserve.
PS: I am reaching the end of my foot surgery recovery and hope to be back to wearing shoes again soon, and be able to get back to a normal schedule. We have so many wonderful places to hike in Colorado and I'm looking forward to being able to walk well again. I really hope this surgery will help to make hiking comfortable for me. Thanks for all your good wishes!
The grounds around the mansion are beautifully landscaped, both in the rear...
....and front.
Since the mansion was completed in 1917, many pine trees have grown and have obscured the view of Denver, but have added to the beauty of the location.
After Boettcher and his wife, Fannie, officially separated in 1920, the property became Boettcher’s personal retreat and for the next three decades, he stayed at the lodge each year from June to September, using it as a base for hunting and entertaining. Upon Boettcher’s death in 1948, the estate passed to his granddaughter, Charline Humphreys Breeden. Breeden raised her family at the lodge before making plans in the late 1960s to donate the house and surrounding grounds to Jefferson County for public use. When she died in 1972, the 110-acre property officially became county land.
Jefferson County built a nature trail on the grounds and opened the lodge to the public in 1975 as a combined conference and nature center. In the 1980s the entire property was managed by Jefferson County’s Open Space program, but in 1989 Lorraine Lodge was renamed Boettcher Mansion and became its own entity within the Jefferson County Parks Department. These changes were intended to help differentiate the mansion, which had become a popular conference and wedding venue, from the Lookout Mountain Nature Center, which moved into a new building on the property in the 1990s.
The Boettcher Mansion retains some of the original Stickley classic furnishings.
Many rooms inside the mansion can be used as meeting rooms for conferences...
...and there is also an up to date, state of the art kitchen inside for catering purposes.
There is also a gift shop in the mansion as well as many interesting framed historical photos, period newspaper clippings, and information in the hallways. In the upper right on the collage above, you can see a photo of Chief Colorow. He often roamed this part of Colorado and liked to camp on Lookout Mountain. You can read more about him on this blog post--click here.
Boettcher Mansion and the Lookout Mountain Nature Center continue to share the open-space park at the top of the mountain, which has grown from Boettcher’s original 62-acre purchase to the 134-acre Lookout Mountain Nature Preserve.
I really enjoyed my visit to Boettcher Mansion and learning more about its history, and I hope you did too!
Further information:
The Boettcher Mansion
900 Colorow Road
Golden, 80401
Phone: 720-497-7630
Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
(Nights, weekends, and holidays by
appointment or reservation.)
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Pat - so glad the end of your recovery is in sight. As one that shares your love of hiking (and loves your posts) , I truly hope this enables even more adventures! This post about the Mansion is fascinating, and it makes me so happy that the property has grown and has been put to such productive uses. I am sure you see the similarities in architecture between this mansion and the lodges built in Glacier National Park in the same time frame! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your foot is getting better! These shots are just delightful!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's the kind of place I love to see. Your photos make me feel like I'm there with the flowers and the pathways. Thanks for the history, too :)
ReplyDeleteHello, What a beautiful mansion and nature center. I am so happy it was turned over to be a county park for all to enjoy. The views are lovely. I know you will be to get out hiking again and enjoy these gorgeous places again. Enjoy your day, have a great new week!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting to read about Mr. Boettcher, Fisher & Fisher... I love to read such biographies of different persons. Thank you for sharing this Post.
ReplyDeleteHappy MosaicMonday
What a splendid house. I'm so glad it is an open spot so one can visit. Fascinating story, too. I especially love the Stickley furniture. I have a couple of pieces and a friend has much of his house done in Stickley, Limbert and others from the arts and crafts movement. It has such a wonderful feel, looking beautiful with the traditional and even when I've seen it in more contemporary settings, many of the pieces work. I love it!
ReplyDeleteThat looks a very interesting place to visit. I love the view.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been to Lookout Mountain but not the mansion. Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteIt is quite an impressive place! Beautiful shots!
ReplyDeletethanks for taking me on a little tour - I love the structure and history.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful place to visit and enjoy. Glad to hear you are doing well with your recovery. Hope walking will be better for you once everything heals up!
ReplyDeleteThanks, as always, for taking me along to "home country" in Colorado!
ReplyDeleteI did very much enjoy this tour Pat, you are a great guide and it was fun to learn this history. Is the State named after that Chief? I’m glad to hear you are well n the road to recovery!
ReplyDeletePS...I wonder what happened to his children that he left it all to the granddaughter? She was generous and civic minded to leave it to the public.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful home and interesting history. I agree with Sallie's comment. Wonder why he left it all to the granddaughter?
ReplyDeleteThat mansion is adorable and surroundings such a beautiful garden <3 Happy MM.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful architecture.
ReplyDeleteEven mansions are repurposed.
ReplyDeleteI love knowing the history of homes! Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've never been inside the mansion though I've been on the mountain many times. I liked seeing your photos. Glad you're soon fully healed. We're in for more snow in the mountains - I think you might be getting some too. Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteThe Arts & Crafts movement now seems as if it was just designed to provide retreats for the Titans of Industry in the Gilded Age and early 20th century, as well as to furnish the houses of somewhat less well-heeled (though far from poor) families. This is a wonderful example, so well preserved.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
It looks like a beautiful place, another one I'll need to get to one of these years.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful place and the more trees the merrier. I never made it to Denver but I'd think you'd want to feel away from the city in such an extraordinary spot. Have a speedy recovery, I bet you'll be up and hiking around in no time and I look forward to your photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous estate! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to My Corner of the World!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post about the Boettcher Mansion! Loved the awesome story and the photographs are amazing! Oh Pat, so happy you are healing and will soon be out hiking! Have a sweet day!
ReplyDeleteNancy
xo
I'm so glad your recovery is going well, Pat! I really enjoyed reading this post. The Boettcher Mansion is beautiful and I was interested in the history behind it as well. Lovely photographs! Sharing on the Hearth and Soul Link Party Facebook page tomorrow. Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteHi! Very interesting post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful and unique property! Glad your recovery is progressing well. Happy Valentines Day!
ReplyDeleteI love these stately homes with their beautiful furnishings and sense of history. Thanks for taking us along, Pat, I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
I love a good mansion tour. Especially an old, historic building. Yours is certainly surrounded by stunning scenery too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful home! Thank you so much for all the history. Have a wonderful Sunday!
ReplyDeletePat I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. That is one beautiful mansion and that Stickley furniture is really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGlad your foot surgery is almost healed. Good luck to you. By the way, you might check all your links at the bottom of your post. I know Outdoor Wednesday is long shuttered, more's the pity. That linky ended in Dec. 2017. I miss it, too.
ReplyDeleteThe mansion looks like a great place to visit. Wishing you a full healing.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see all of these photographs, a great selection.
ReplyDeletePleased to read that your foot is getting better.
All the best Jan
Beautiful collection of photos
ReplyDeleteI have more recently become interested in architecture and I want to visit places here in my area after I learn more about them. This is a beautiful area and I am glad it is still there to enjoy...Hope your foot is doing well...Michelle
ReplyDeleteHi again, Pat! I just wanted to pop by to let you know that I'm featuring your post at the Hearth and Soul Link Party this week. Thank you so much for sharing it. Hope to 'see' you there. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteThat looks a great place to visit.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your photographs, especially the views in the last two.
All the best Jan