Morrison in Jefferson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Summer White House
Photographed by Theresa Hilton Small, October 13, 2019
1. Summer White House Marker
In 1911, John Brisben Walker, owner of the property that is now Mount Falcon Park, promoted the idea of a Summer White House. The cornerstone of Colorado yule marble was laid on July 4, 1914 on this proposed site for the building. What you see here is all that remains of his dream to create a "castle in the clouds" for the enjoyment of the Presidents of the United States.
Modeled after castles in Europe, the idea was to give the President a place to spend time enjoying Colorado. John Walker hired Denver architect J.B. Benedict to draw up renderings for a 22-room castle on Mount Falcon. The design sketches were made in an effort to promote the idea and raise funds to begin construction. Proposals to fund construction included a scheme to persuade the nation's school children to contribute their pennies.
Shortly afterward, Walker became involved with other projects and his plans for the summer White House never materialized. However, his vision of preserving the natural beauty of Colorado continues in Mount Falcon Park.
Erected by Jefferson County Open Space.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in
this page online
Location. 39° 38.428′ N, 105° 13.107′ W. Marker is in Morrison, Colorado, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from Vine Street. Located in Mount Falcon Park at end of Walker's Dream Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3852 Vine Street, Morrison CO 80465, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John Brisben Walker (approx. 0.6 miles away); Historic Incinerator: We've Come A Long Way (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Naming of Rocks (approx. 1.6 miles away); Red Rocks Park (approx. 1.8 miles away); Red Rocks Trading Post (approx. 1.8 miles away); Red Rocks Amphitheatre (approx. 1.9
Photographed by Theresa Hilton Small, October 13, 2019
2. Summer White House cornerstone.
More about this marker. The site is 6.14 miles roundtrip from the East Trailhead. The elevation at the marker is about 6,774 feet. You will experience a 1,535 foot elevation gain.
Also see . . . 9News article about what could have been a summer home for the president. (Submitted on October 14, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed by Theresa Hilton Small, October 13, 2019
3. All that is left of the proposed Summer White House.
White cornerstone can be seen in background.
Photographed by Theresa Hilton Small, October 13, 2019
4. Summer White House Marker near unfinished building.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 9,432 times since then and 1,184 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 14, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
