McIlvoy House

McIlvoy House. . , McIlvoy House , Dennis D. and Clemency McIlvoy came from Indiana to Black Hawk, Colorado in 1859. Clemency was one of the first women to reside in Black Hawk. In 1860, Dennis helped place the boundary markers for Jefferson County. The couple owned and farmed several locations before settling in Arvada. , , Moving to Town , The McIlvoys built the house on Grand View Avenue in 1880 where they cultivated a beautiful garden. Dennis died in 1913, and in 1919 Clemency donated her house and grounds to the Town of Arvada. The Edwardian style McIlvoy house was significant to the development of Arvada’s downtown. , New Uses for the Home , In 1940, town leaders selected the McIlvoy house to serve as Arvada’s first public library and appointed a Library Board. Also in 1940, the Garden Club dedicated the spruce tree in front of the house as the “Children’s Living Christmas Tree.” This tree still delights children today. , Just east of the McIlvoy house, at current 7207 Grandview Avenue, sits the grand wood frame house built by Mayor W.H. and Mary Wilson in 1889. It was “…one of the most conspicuous buildings along the Colorado Central railroad.” (Denver Republican, November 1889). , In 1902, Mrs. Lucius Moore purchased the house “…converting it into a most attractive county seat.” (Denver Post, 1902). Later, the house was sold to Thomas Yeager and the barn turned into the livery stable. Farmer’s left their buggies at the stable and took the trolley into Denver.