Historic Denver

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Historic Denver Guides
This series of books immerses readers in the rich history of Denver's buildings and neighborhoods, and gives them the tools to explore the city through entertaining walking tours.

The Montclair Neighborhood

Thomas J. Noel
William J. Hansen

Photography by Jeff Padrick

Discover the castle-crowned Denver suburb created by Baron von Richthofen.

ISBN 0-914248-24-3 $9.95

RICHTHOFEN CASTLE GATE HOUSE
1177 PONTIAC STREET
Architectural style: Romanesque Revival
Built: 1887
Architect: Alexander Cazin (?)

A windmill and water tank originally topped this carriage house and horse barn. These once supplied potable water to the baron's entire estate via a 90-foot well inside the building and more than a mile of lead pipes. The parapeted front and side gables and Romanesque archways of this rusticated rhyolite structure echo the castle's medieval mode. After the Hendries bought the castle, they expanded the carriage house to accommodate automobiles and servants' quarters.

The Baron supposedly lived in this gate house during construction of his massive medieval castle. After his dashes about the Montclair environs, he may have tied his horses to a red sandstone hitching post like that seen here. Photo: Tom Noel Collection

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