Montclair was originally an independent town, and the eastern boundary of Denver was a couple of miles away. Platted in 1885, Montclair’s chief promoter was Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen, who at one point owned most of the land. The baron was not only an enthusiastic booster, he was a person who “put his money where his mouth was.” He built the Richthofen Castle and the Molkery, created a deer park, and planted hundreds of trees.
As the neighborhood evolved, houses and other buildings appeared, many of them still in existence and noteworthy today. Three are highlighted here on the website:
Montclair Designated Historic District
The Montclair neighborhood includes the Montclair Designated Historic District. Denver’s Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) exercises oversight on many building projects within the Historic District. If you have a project in mind, be sure to obtain approval from the LPC. Click here for more information and contacts.
Resources for more information on Montclair
Montclair has a rich and colorful history. Was Baron von Richthofen related to the Red Baron? Who was the person who put four bullets into the back of a guest at the Richthofen Castle? Why is the Stanley British School named for explorer Henry Stanley? Is there a ghost at the Markman House or the Cleland House?
Recommended publications:
- The Montclair Neighborhood, by Thomas J. Noel and William J. Hansen, published by Historic Denver, Inc., 1999. This pocket walking guide includes photos and histories of approximately seventy-five buildings. It is available from the Molly Brown House Museum: click here for more information.
- Richthofen’s Montclair: A Pioneer Denver Suburb, by Thomas J. Noel, published by Graphic Impressions, Inc., 1976. This hardcover book includes a detailed history of the neighborhood and the baron, historical maps of the area, a walking tour, and a research guide. The Denver Public Library has three copies of this book.