Roxborough State Park in Littleton in Douglas County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
A Roxborough for Everyone
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 25, 2025
1. A Roxborough for Everyone Marker
-Headline in the Denver Republican, January 21, 1907
When Henry Persse built his stone country house in 1903, his vision was to create a world-class resort with "a first class 200-room hotel, golf links, a well-stocked lake, charming driveways, and comfortable cottages all placed in surroundings said to be most beautiful." An electric railroad was also planned from Englewood and Littleton for the transportation of "the best class of people in the country." Despite his many visitors who he had hoped would be investors, the dream of the resort never came to fruition and died with Henry in 1918. Today, thousands of students, scouts, families, hikers, and nature lovers once again experience Roxborough as Henry imagined it: a place to dream, a place of discovery, a natural sanctuary to preserve.
One of Henry's guests, a visiting dignitary, commented in the house guest book: "A grand spot to study the wonders of nature."
Denver Mayor Robert Speer foresaw what Roxborough would become in his guest book comment: "Should be owned by the City for the free use of the people."
[Captions:]
Enjoying
this page online
Automobilists enjoying a day at the park.
Henry Persse (lower left) showing the beauty of Roxborough
The Persse Ranch in 1910 viewed from near where you stand. Note the cabins in the left center and the stone house on the lower right: perhaps the beginning of the planned resort.
Even in the winter, people came to explore.
Humor amongst the rocks. Persse neighbor, Joseph Benn, spoke of rescuing people from atop the rocks. Climbing them is not allowed today.
Erected by Colorado Parks & Wildlife; Friends of Roxborough State Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is January 21, 1907.
Location. 39° 26.614′ N, 105° 4.368′ W. Marker is in Littleton, Colorado, in Douglas County. It is in Roxborough State Park. It can be reached from Fountain Valley Trail 1.6 miles north of Roxborough Drive. The marker is in Roxborough State Park, at the northern tip of the Fountain Valley Trail, near Persse's homestead.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 25, 2025
2. A Roxborough for Everyone Marker
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: Henry S. Persse and His Beloved Roxborough (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. 11.6 miles away); Littleton War Memorial (approx. 12 miles away); Denver & Rio Grande Depot (approx. 12 miles away); Public Transportation (approx. 12.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Littleton.
More about this marker. The Persse homestead is about a mile and a half hike from the visitors center.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 25, 2025
3. Persse's Roxborough house
Also see . . . History of Roxborough State Park. From the Friends of Roxborough State Park
Excerpt: "Henry Persse came to Colorado in the 1880s from Albany, NY, and came to own much of the Washington Park land. He renamed it Roxborough after his familys ancestral home in Galway, Ireland. Henry Persse had plans to develop a resort at Roxborough and began with a stone home in 1903. He invited many well known Denverites to visit his home among the red rocks. He hosted picnics and local school outings here. Henry Persse held the mineral rights to the local clay and silica resources which he leased to the nearby Silicated Brick and Clay Company. While plans for the resort died with Henry in 1918, his son John, lived in the stone house until 1937. The home and the surrounding lands were acquired by the Helmer family whose ranch grew to over 3,000 acres. The State of Colorado purchased 500 acres in 1975, as the core of Roxborough State Park. The Henry Persse Stone House was added to the National(Submitted on December 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)Register of Historic Places in 1983."Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 25, 20254. Close-up of the 1910 view of Persse's ranch
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 25, 2025
5. Persse's house in Roxborough State Park
Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
