Samuel H. Atwater House

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2025

1. Samuel H. Atwater House Marker

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From the National Register Nomination prepared by Kathleen M. Hudson, 9/11/1985:
The Atwater House is a good example of a local interpretation of the Queen Anne style, both in its original 1890 design and with its 1908 porch modifications. The house exhibits most of the defining characteristics of the style, including:

• Asymmetrical massing;
• Corner tower and bay;
• Steeply pitched roof

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2025

2. Samuel H. Atwater House Marker

The marker is mounted on the right side of the front entrance.

of irregular shape;
• Dormer;
• Scalloped and shaped shingles;
• Prominent decorative porches; and
• Contrasting wall materials.

The Atwater House is significant for its association with Samuel Henry Atwater, one of the early developers of Cañon City who not only bought and sold land for residential development but was a key individual in the planning and construction of community infrastructure. Atwater platted the Orchard Park sub-division and the Atwater South Cañon Addition to Cañon City; bought two large area nurseries to supply new residents in his communities with appropriate growing stock; purchased water rights on Four Mile Creek to insure a dependable water supply for Orchard Park and the South Cañon addition; and spearheaded the funding drive which culminated in the construction of the National Register listed First Presbyterian Church.

Samuel Atwater arrived in Cañon City in 1889 from Windham, New York, with his wife, Selina and nine-year-old daughter Winifred. The late 1880s and early 1890s witnessed tremendous growth within the city limits and Atwater followed this pattern by purchasing lots three and four plus thirteen and fourteen in Block eight of the Macon addition from Rosella Phillips on January 28, 1890. Construction on the house began that winter with completion the following spring.

The house he built suggests a degree of financial success prior to his arrival in Cañon City. By the turn of the century, S.H. Atwater had built an extremely successful business, but his interests included more than personal finance. Atwater was actively involved with the Chamber of Commerce in Cañon City. As a member of the Chamber, Atwater was appointed to represent the city at various meetings and conventions.

Though not thoroughly documented, the Atwater family seems to have moved from Cañon City to Colorado Springs in 1908 or 1909. The short time that Samuel Atwater lived in Cañon City, from 1889 to 1908, belies his impact on the area. The 1906 Cañon City Directory lists Atwater as president of the Cañon Land and Investment Company and Park Center Water Company. Atwater platted a subdivision and a city addition which still exist. His tree planting efforts left a visible legacy for modern Cañon City. Atwater's house at 821 Macon provides a visible connection to his efforts to create a beautiful and stately city.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2025

3. Samuel H. Atwater House (southwest elevation)

From the National Register Nomination:  The walls of the structure are constructed of solid fired brick three layers thick. The brick is laid in running bond with flush mortar. Though the exterior brick walls have been painted, the rose sandstone lintels, sills and belt courses have been left natural. The west elevation bay extension contains a balcony on the second story but has (since 1944) been enclosed with windows. The west elevation chimney is decorated with a series of recessed vertical panels at the second story level.

Excerpt:  The Samuel H. Atwater House was built in Queen Anne style around 1890 and its porches and exterior were substantially modified in 1908. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. The house was deemed significant for NRHP listing for its architecture, and also "for its association with Samuel Henry Atwater, one of the early developers of Cañon City who not only bought and sold land for residential development but was a key individual in the planning and construction of community infrastructure.

Excerpt:  Site Number 5FN.1202. This 1890 house is associated with Samuel H. Atwater, an early developer of Cañon City, who not only bought and sold land for residential development but was a key individual in the planning and construction of community infrastructure.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2025

4. Samuel H. Atwater House (southeast elevation)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2025

5. Samuel H. Atwater House (south/front elevation)

From the National Register Nomination:  Foundation material used in the construction of the Atwater House is hand square cut ashlar white sandstone. Sandstone blocks in the basement have a tooled finish while exposed block on the foundation exterior are rock-faced. The sandstone is continued as foundations for the columns on the south and west porches and red sandstone slabs form the column bases. Two chimneys, on the east and west roof respectively, are of brick construction. A single gable dormer on the south facing hipped roof is shingled and has two divided multi-light windows below a wood shingled gable end. Dentils are used along the gable eave and as a frieze above the window.

The original porch, which was replaced in 1908, had turned columns supporting a three-quarter-width shed roof. The replacement was built with a hipped roof, an ornamented triangular pediment, and Composite columns. The columns, grouped in twos and threes, are steel posts with wood veneer. The capitals display an ornate acanthus leaf pattern made of plaster.