The Lathrop House

1902

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025

1. The Lathrop House Marker

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From the National Register Nomination prepared by Cindy K. Bowen, 1/13/1988:
The John Virgil Lathrop House is a large 2½-story, Free Classic Queen Anne Style home which was constructed in 1902. It is wood frame with clapboard siding and is set on a stone foundation. The house is characterized by its asymmetrical massing, multi-gable roof, projecting bays, decorative porches, conical roof porch section, ornamented gables, classical columns, Palladian window, and pedimented porch.
The significance of the Lathrop house is tied to the period from 1880-1910 when the Queen Anne Style was widely used in Colorado. The period of significance for the house begins in 1902 when it was built and ends in 1910 when the Queen Anne Style was not as popular.
John Virgil Lathrop, the original owner and occupant of the Lathrop House, was among the merchants who provided hardware to Uncompahgre

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025

2. The Lathrop House Marker(s)

Valley farmers, miners, stockmen, and housewives. Lathrop came to Montrose in 1890 from Cawker City, Kansas where he had an interest in a hardware store. In Montrose he purchased the hardware department of the Frees, Osborn and Davis General Merchandise Company which handled hardware as well as dry goods and groceries. In January 1891, when his business was established, Lathrop sent to Kansas for his wife Emma and their three children. Lathrop Hardware is the only Montrose business founded in the early years of the town which operated under its original name through the 1980s. Lathrop sold the business in 1916 and invested in real estate in the valley. He also loaned money to some of his old ranching customers. His interest in the agricultural community remained with Lathrop until his death in 1943 at the age of 87.
The John Virgil Lathrop house was built in 1902 on Main Street at its present location. It was designed by Emma Lathrop’s uncle whose name is unknown. The cost of construction was $10,000. At the time, it was the largest and most expensive house in Montrose.
The size and scale of the Lathrop house illustrate the economic and social status of the Lathrops. The unusual geometric stickwork and combination of porches with classical details individualize the house. The architect is said to have followed Emma’s wishes by using classical lines and placing a large,

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025

3. The John Virgil Lathrop House (north/front elevation)

The marker(s) are mounted at eye-level on the right side of the front patio entrance.
From the National Register Nomination:  Various types of windows are used. On the first story of the facade is a round window and a large, square focal window flanking the front door. On the second story is a square window, similar in scale to the round one directly below, and two tall and narrow, double-hung windows which flank the second story door which opens onto the cutaway porch. A Palladian window is set into the center of the front gable.

graceful porch across the front and side of the house. The combination of plan, design and detail make the Lathrop house an important representative of turn of the century ideals in Montrose, Colorado.

Excerpt:  Constructed in 1902, the 2½-story wood frame residence is set on a stone foundation. The Queen Anne style is clearly represented in its asymmetrical massing, multi-gable roof, projecting bays, decorative porches, and ornamented gable ends. The dwelling was constructed for the John Virgil Lathrop family. Lathrop came to Montrose in 1890 and operated Lathrop Hardware until 1916.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025

4. The John Virgil Lathrop House (northwest elevation)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025

5. The John Virgil Lathrop House (northeast elevation)

From the National Register Nomination:  A large, steeply pitched gable faces the street and dominates the house. It exhibits unusual geometric stickwork which creates a design of squares. There are three porches on the house which are important stylistic features. A wrap-around porch supported by classical columns and a low balustrade of turned wood spindle supports runs across the front of the house. At the northeast corner the porch forms a projecting conical tower with conical roof and turns to run half-way along the east elevation where it meets a large projection of the house. The classical theme of the porch is developed by the plain cornice and the pediment which is located over the main entrance to the house and decorated with geometric stickwork. The base of the porch is framed in on all sides and wood steps lead to the main entrance. A cut-away porch is located on the second story of the east half of the facade. The use of classical columns, plain cornice, and low balustrade of turned wood balusters is like the first story wraparound porch.