Montrose in Montrose County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Townsend House
Circa 1887
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025
1. Townsend House Marker
This property has been placed on the
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 38° 28.473′ N, 107° 52.414′ W. Marker is in Montrose, Colorado, in Montrose County. It is at the intersection of South 5th Street and South Townsend Avenue (U.S. 550), on the right when traveling north on South 5th Street. The marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, on the left side of the northwest/front patio entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 222 South 5th Street, Montrose CO 81401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Western Slope. It is also in the American Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Montrose County Jail (approx. Ό mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Instrument of Surrender (approx. 0.3 miles away); Elks Lodge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Montrose City Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away); Preserving Our Heritage
this page online
Regarding Townsend House. National Register of Historic Places № 80000916 and Colorado State Register of Historic Places Site № 5MN.1838.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Mary Dorsey Wanless, 11/5/1979:
The Thomas B. Townsend house is significant for its historical associations with the development of Montrose, Colorado and its banking industry. This town landmark is also an excellent example of the American Victorian style of architecture which was common to this area and is significant for its craftsmanship and detailing.
Montrose was platted in 1882 as a railroad town near the San Juan Mountain mining area. Among its early settlers were mining investors, many from Europe. One of these men was Thomas B. Townsend, an Englishman who moved to the Montrose area in the 1880s to invest in various mines near Silverton. He was also the co-founder of the Montrose County Bank, now the First National Bank of Montrose.
Townsend built his home on the corner of Fifthand Townsend Streets about 1888. When the house was first built, it was not within the city limits of Montrose. In 1904, the town was extended to include the house, so it could hook up to the water and sewer mains.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 20252. Townsend House MarkerThe marker is mounted on the left side of the northwest/front patio entrance.
One of the oldest permanent residences in the valley, the Townsend House is made of pinkish-brown brick, with stone foundations, and has numerous porches, gables, bay windows, hand-turned wooden posts, hogback roof, and intricate gingerbread trim. The house also had the first running water in the area. As rain ran off the zinc and copper roof, it was carried in eave troughs down to a cistern near the rear of the house. The water was pumped back into the attic and was carried by gravity throughout the house. Townsend also had the house wired for electricity although there was no electricity in the town. Kerosene lamps were used for lighting until electricity arrived.
The bricks used on the exterior were made in Townsend's own brick plant, built on the Uncompahgre River near town. The factory closed soon after the house was finished, which leads to the conclusion that its sole purpose was to make bricks for the house.
Also see . . .
1. Thomas B. Townsend House (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025
3. Townsend House (northwest/front elevation)
The northwest/front elevation faces South 5th Street.
From the National Register Nomination: The house has three porches, all made of wood with hand-turned posts and gingerbread trim; one is on the left front of the house, a second a Juliet Porch is located above, and a third comes off the kitchen on the northeast facade. The foundation is made of cut native stone. Stone lentils and lugsills outline most of the windows, all of which are two-sashed and double hung. The roof is hipped and gabled and covered with the original copper and zinc, still in excellent condition. The cornices are boxed; there is a very elaborate gingerbread trim around the roofline, in the gables, and on the porches; and there is a row of metal "hogback" trim along the peak of the roof parallel to the front faηade.
From the National Register Nomination: The house has three porches, all made of wood with hand-turned posts and gingerbread trim; one is on the left front of the house, a second a Juliet Porch is located above, and a third comes off the kitchen on the northeast facade. The foundation is made of cut native stone. Stone lentils and lugsills outline most of the windows, all of which are two-sashed and double hung. The roof is hipped and gabled and covered with the original copper and zinc, still in excellent condition. The cornices are boxed; there is a very elaborate gingerbread trim around the roofline, in the gables, and on the porches; and there is a row of metal "hogback" trim along the peak of the roof parallel to the front faηade.
2. Thomas B. Townsend House (History Colorado).
Excerpt: The 2½ story brick residence was constructed by Thomas B. Townsend, an Englishman who moved to the area to pursue investments in mines near Silverton. The residence includes elements of the Queen Anne style such as an asymmetrical plan, a complex roof line, a projecting bay window, and detailed wood trim. Colorado State Register of Historic Places Site № 5MN.1838.(Submitted on September 5, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025
4. Townsend House (northeast elevation)
The northeast elevation faces South Townsend Avenue (U.S. 550).
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025
5. Townsend House (north elevation)
View from South Townsend Avenue (U.S. 550) & South 5th Street intersection.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 5, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
