Castle Rock

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, July 3, 2011

1. Castle Rock Marker

Inscription. The founders of Castle Rock platted their town beneath a prominent rock outcrop of the same name in 1874, and proudly advertised it as a year-round resort, knowing the value of beautiful scenery to attract settlers and tourists. But even greater value lurked in the region’s untapped natural resources. The construction of farms, ranches, and towns along the two railroad lines between Denver and Colorado Springs required heaps of timber and stone, and the residents of Castle Rock made good use of nearby forests and rock quarries to meet these demands. Others developed dairy and ranching concerns, fattening livestock on well-watered grazing lands. The title of the most important town between Denver and Colorado Springs required flexibility and stamina to satisfy the whims of larger markets.

Captions: This panoramic view of Castle Rock during the 1890s includes the town’s modest frame houses and the Douglas County Courthouse with a domed cupola and round windows. Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library. A disastrous fire at the Douglas County Courthouse, set by an arsonist in 1978, resulted in the loss of the town’s most

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significant historic building. As the gathering place for official and unofficial events, the courthouse reflects the pride and success of any community. The new county administration building, erected in 1982, was expanded in 1999 to include a stone bell tower and red brick façade. In 1997, the county courts moved to the Robert A. Christensen Justice Center at the junction of U.S. Highway 85 and Interstate 25. Courthouse Square is greatly enhanced by the new building, and while residents still mourn the loss of their old stone courthouse, many believe the new building to be a respectful replacement. Photo courtesy Denver Public Library.

Historic Preservation
Rampant growth in Douglas County spurred several residents to safeguard the county seat’s original architecture and small town atmosphere. Recognizing that a town’s architecture reflects its character, in 1994 Castle Rock established a historic preservation board. A survey of the town’s commercial and residential buildings identified significant historic properties, typically built from native stone or timber, and all displaying modest architectural styles with minimal ornamentation.

Railroad Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, July 3, 2011

2. Railroad Station

The historic preservation board, a volunteer group of citizens, works with the Castle Rock Planning Department to preserve and enhance Castle Rock’s historic properties.

Caption: The old depot, constructed of native rhyolite, was moved to 420 Elbert in 1970, and now serves the community as the Castle Rock Museum. Photo courtesy Colorado Historical Society.

“Castle Rock is a point. It is somewhere. Nature has done something just at that place, it has erected there a great landmark.” Douglas County Attorney, D.D. Belden in the Rocky Mountain News, March 18, 1874.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is March 2002.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 39° 22.391′ N, 104° 51.608′ W. Marker was in Castle Rock, Colorado, in Douglas County. It was at the intersection of Wilcox Street and 4th Street NE & Wilcox Street, on the right when traveling west on Wilcox Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Castle Rock CO 80104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Colorado’s

Old Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, July 3, 2011

3. Old Courthouse

Front Range.

It was also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Keystone Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Douglas County Courthouse & Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Good Roads in Colorado (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Rock (about 300 feet away); City Hotel (about 500 feet away); Victoria’s House (about 500 feet away); Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Depot (about 700 feet away); Rock Park (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Castle Rock.

Other markers no longer nearby. Douglas (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Original Court House 1874 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Panorama of Castle Rock image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, July 3, 2011

4. Panorama of Castle Rock

Castle Rock Marker is missing, presumed removed. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 1, 2017

5. Castle Rock Marker is missing, presumed removed.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,547 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on November 24, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 14, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. 5. submitted on July 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.