Roxborough State Park in Littleton in Douglas County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Henry S. Persse and His Beloved Roxborough
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 25, 2025
1. Henry S. Persse and His Beloved Roxborough Marker
-Excerpt from a poem by Henry Persse
Born in Albany, NY, Henry Persse came to Colorado with his wife, Roby and their children. John, Horace, Amelia and Mary Anna, in 1889. Henry's father came to the US from Galway, Ireland where his family owned an estate known as Roxborough, a name Henry would later claim for this area. While their primary residence was in Denver, Henry built his "country" house in 1900 where he lived part-time, gardened, and raised chickens and cattle. The house was constructed of native stone from nearby geological formations for the purpose of promoting his dream project; a resort to attract visitors and tourists to enjoy his beloved Roxborough. Tragically, Henry died in a streetcar accident in Denver in 1918. John, a retired Denver police officer, moved into the house and lived here until his death
this page online
Enticed by an 1881 newspaper article about Colorado's beauty and mining potential, Henry made more than 20 trips to Colorado from 1882 1889 and wrote numerous news stories about Denver and the fortunes that could be made in Colorado. He settled in Denver in 1889. His connection to Roxborough began when he took over Edward Griffith's quarter share of land in a partnership. Henry acquired additional properties and bought out the other partners. He incorporated the Roxborough Land Co. in 1902 and leased land to the Silicated Brick Company to which he also sold raw materials from a mining claim he owned with his son, Horace. just north of the Persse Place.
[Captions:]
Moyode Castle, the main residence at the Persse Family's Roxborough estate in Galway, Ireland.
Before Henry came to the area, it was known
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 25, 2025
2. Henry S. Persse and His Beloved Roxborough Marker
The marker is near the outbuildings described in the marker.
In front of you is the utility shed that Henry built in 1901. He added his name, date, and many sayings on the inside walls. The building to the right of the shed is the 1871 homestead cabin of Denis Cooper.
Erected by Colorado Parks & Wildlife; Friends of Roxborough State Park.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Immigration • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 39° 26.592′ N, 105° 4.37′ W. Marker is in Littleton, Colorado, in Douglas County. It is in Roxborough State Park. It is on Fountain Valley Trail 1.6 miles north of Roxborough Drive.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 25, 2025
3. Henry S. Persse home
The marker about Henry Persse's "beloved Roxborough" is in the foreground; another marker about Persse's plans for a resort in Roxborough is downhill to the right of the home.
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 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A Roxborough for Everyone (within shouting distance of this marker); The Geology of Roxborough (approx. one mile away); Roxborough State Park (approx. one mile away); Columbine High School (approx. 11.2 miles away); Alfred G. Packer (approx.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 25, 2025
4. Persse's house in Roxborough State Park
More about this marker. The Persse homestead is about a mile and a half hike from the visitors center. Another historical marker nearby looks at Henry Persse's plans for a resort at this location.
Also see . . .
1. 'Mongst the Persse's Sandstone Dells. History Colorado shares the history of Roxborough State Park.
Excerpt: "Excerpted entries from Persse's guest book show how early twentieth-century visitors appreciated Roxborough Park's beauty and understood the need to find a balance between economic development and the preservation of natural resources. Edmund J. Churchill of Denver wrote, 'A Park made by Nature's hand alone-The Arts of Man could only mar it.' Denver(Submitted on December 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)Mayor Robert W. Speer opined that the park 'should be owned by the city for the free use of the people.'"Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 25, 20255. Persse's outbuildings
2. The Persse Family of County Galway. This page describes a 2023 book about the Persse family's genealogy.
Excerpt: "The Persse family, believed to be related to the powerful Percy family of Northumberland, England, is descended from the Revd Robert Persse, a man of God, who arrived in Ireland before 1602 to preach the Gospel. His grandson, the Revd Dudley received a grant of lands from King Charles II, and he established the first Persse family estate at Spring Garden, Tynagh, Co: Galway, in 1677."(Submitted on December 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
3. Roxborough, Galway. From the website for Ireland's National Built Heritage Service, a description of the Persses' Roxborough estate
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 25, 2025
6. Henry and Mary Anna Persse
A close-up of the photos on the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 29, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
