Walter S. Cheesman
Walter Scott Cheesman rode an ox cart from Chicago to Denver in 1861, where he joined his brother in the drug store business. He became an enthusiastic and effective booster of his new city, bringing railroad service to Denver, developing the town's fledgling real estate industry, and rising to regional prominence.
After the tragic loss of his wife and two-year-old son, he remained single for many years. At 47, he remarried the beautiful and charming widow, Alice Foster Sanger. Two years later, their daughter, Gladys, was born, and Cheesman was devoted to her. While still a teenager, Gladys helped her father design a fabulous new house for the family. But in 1907, just as he planned to begin constructing the landmark mansion atop Denver's Logan Hill, Cheesman died. Gladys and her mother proceeded with the plans, creating a graceful, soaring home of three stories that soon became the envy of Denver's high society. From outside the wrought iron fence, citizens marveled at the mansion, and the Cheesman home became the talk of Denver.
Shortly after the home was completed in 1908, Gladys married her childhood sweetheart, John Evans. They shared the house with Mrs. Cheesman for several years until they built their own home. Mrs. Cheesman died in 1923, and the house was sold to Claude K. Boettcher, a leading western businessman. Mr. Boettcher presented the deed to his wife, Edna, as a Valentine's Day present in 1924. The Boettcher family added many fine art pieces, including a Waterford cut crystal chandelier from the White House ballroom in 1876.
The Boettchers expanded the Palm Room to enclose the former porch into a magnificent bay, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the fountain and gardens. The view reached Pikes Peak, 70 miles to the south.
After the tragic loss of his wife and two-year-old son, he remained single for many years. At 47, he remarried the beautiful and charming widow, Alice Foster Sanger. Two years later, their daughter, Gladys, was born, and Cheesman was devoted to her. While still a teenager, Gladys helped her father design a fabulous new house for the family. But in 1907, just as he planned to begin constructing the landmark mansion atop Denver's Logan Hill, Cheesman died. Gladys and her mother proceeded with the plans, creating a graceful, soaring home of three stories that soon became the envy of Denver's high society. From outside the wrought iron fence, citizens marveled at the mansion, and the Cheesman home became the talk of Denver.
Shortly after the home was completed in 1908, Gladys married her childhood sweetheart, John Evans. They shared the house with Mrs. Cheesman for several years until they built their own home. Mrs. Cheesman died in 1923, and the house was sold to Claude K. Boettcher, a leading western businessman. Mr. Boettcher presented the deed to his wife, Edna, as a Valentine's Day present in 1924. The Boettcher family added many fine art pieces, including a Waterford cut crystal chandelier from the White House ballroom in 1876.
The Boettchers expanded the Palm Room to enclose the former porch into a magnificent bay, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the fountain and gardens. The view reached Pikes Peak, 70 miles to the south.