Crawford Hill Mansion

c. 1906

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2021

1. Crawford Hill Mansion Marker

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From the National Register Nomination prepared by E. Randal Johnson, 5/31/1990:
The Crawford Hill House is significant to the social history of Denver as home to one of Denver's most conspicuous socialite families and as its “social capitol.” The son of Nathaniel Peter Hill, founder of Colorado's smelting industry, member of the Territorial Congress and U.S. Senator from 1879 to

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2021

2. City and County of Denver Landmark Medallion

1885, Crawford Hill came to Colorado Territory in 1867 and attended grammar school in the mining town of Black Hawk. He prepared for college in the English and Classical School, Providence Rhode Island, and graduated from Brown University in 1885. He then returned to Denver where he became a partner in his father's extensive business interests. He also served at one time or another as Director of the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company, and the First National Bank of Denver. As a civic leader he was Director of the Denver Museum of Natural History.
In 1895 Crawford Hill married Louise Bethel Sneed, a Memphis belle. As the daughter of an aristocratic southern family, she knew all the arts, graces, and rules of high society. Determined to become Denver's social leader she ruled over Denver's social elite for more than 30 years. She personally signaled the beginning of Denver's social season each spring with the unveiling of her covered garden statue (no longer in place). She was known in her later years as the “Queen of Denver Society.”
Designed and built in 1906 by architect Terry Boal and decorated by Louise Hill, the

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2021

3. Crawford Hill Mansion Marker

house became a symbol of financial and social power in Colorado. Here national and international celebrities were entertained. Presidents and princes were driven through the iron gates to the entrance which opened into a magnificent reception hall in which hangs a lamp which is said to have been from Thomas Jefferson's old home. Three years after its completion an addition was made to the south, specifically for house guest President William Howard Taft. The 23-room mansion with its manicured lawns and exotic landscaping made the residence the finest in Denver.
The Crawford Hill Mansion has architectural significance as one of the best examples of the French Renaissance style in Denver. Its classical proportions and detailing, though eclectic, are fully worked out on the exterior. In the French tradition it is highly influenced by the Italian Classical Style with its superimposed classical orders, pedimented roofs and dormers. The French influence is seen in the continuity and verticality of the facade, including the mansard roof and the verticality implied by the dormers and chimneys which project through the roof. It is also apparent

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2021

4. Crawford Hill Mansion (north entrance)

The markers are mounted on the right side of the north entrance.

in the extensive quoining of exterior pilasters and the eclectic use of the Tuscan column and base with a Corinthian capital. The house also has extensive use of steel framing to support floors, allowing the interior rooms to be laid out without strict adherence to traditional load bearing wall structure.

Excerpt:  The Crawford Hill Mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 13, 1990. The French Renaissance Revival-style mansion is made of brick and sandstone with Ionic columns and a mansard roof. The building is 19,000 square feet. The house was built by Crawford Hill and his wife Louise Sneed Hill in 1906 at the corner of Tenth and Sherman Streets. The Hill family fortune having been made in the smelting industry. Louise Sneed Hill was the reigning head of Denver society. The mansion was later home to the Jewish Town Club and in 1990 it was restored as law offices for Haddon, Morgan & Foreman. The restoration resolved issues that arose due to years of neglect and previous poor restoration efforts and prevented the building from

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2021

5. Crawford Hill Mansion (north elevation)

being demolished.

Excerpt:  Theodore Boal designed the 1906 house for Crawford and Louise Hill. Mrs. Hill led Denver’s socially elite “Sacred 36” and entertained many distinguished guests, among them U.S. President William Howard Taft.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2021

6. Crawford Hill Mansion (north elevation)

Looking south from East 10th Avenue through the 6-foot wrought iron fence.