The Maxwell House
A Traditional Form of American Architecture
by Fred Edison
American generations in the late 19th century lived through what author Mark Twain characterized as the ‘Gilded Age’ an era where a few businessmen and industrialists gained enormous wealth while the majority of citizens lived in poverty. By 1893 the American economy had plunged into the worst depression of the century. Out West silver mines shuttered to a close on the heels of Congress’ repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act. Castle Rock’s signature rhyolite mining industry also suffered during the 1890s but not before the construction of the County Courthouse in the vacant block along the west side of Wilcox Street. In local politics western suffragettes from Wyoming and Colorado won the right to vote in state elections and local rancher Elias Ammons started his political career at the State Capitol. The gold rush at Cripple Creek radiated into the West Creek area of southwestern Douglas County adding a little more glitter to the gild of the age. The Pike Forest Reserve was created, the Douglas County Fair made its inaugural debut and dozens of one-room schools along with the grand Cantril School were built in this western enclave along the Front Range.
In the southeastern outskirts of Castle Rock several stately homes went under construction during the 1890s. The Castle Rock Record Journal recognized the buildings in their December 10th, 1897 newspaper:
“The southern and eastern part of town seem to be the popular location for residence. With Judge Triplett’s new house, Mrs. Maxwell’s to be built at once, and Mr. Hambitzer’s renovation of the old Matthews place, that quarter of town will present an entirely new appearance by spring.”
Two of these houses along Lewis Street remain today as representatives of a unique form of western architecture known as American Foursquare also regionally referred to as the Denver Square or Seattle Box. Portions of the style, the square shape, low hipped roof and large overhangs, can be traced to elements of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s one story-simple square Prairie Homes built for wealthier clients back East. However, many architectural historians place the Foursquare’s origin within an earlier genre called Colonial Revival. Along with the boxy shape, the typical Foursquare features two stories with an attic and full basement, front porch, a square-pyramid shaped roof with a single dormer at the center. The interior of these Castle Rock homes originally had high 10-foot ceilings to give a desired illusion of more space.
George A. Triplett served Castle Rock as its first Clerk/Recorder and a one-term mayor. His love of horses and horse racing directly led to the development of the Douglas County Fair. Dr. William J. Maxwell worked as one of the community’s early physicians until his death from consumption (tuberculosis) at the age of 34. The Maxwell House was built in 1897 the year the doctor died. Unfortunately Dr. Maxwell didn’t get to witness the completion of the Four Square structure but his wife Alice and their three children did when they became residents at the 15 Lewis Street home in 1898.
The southern reaches of Lewis Street in Castle Rock represented one of the first wealthy neighborhoods in town. The thoroughfare was originally platted as Main Street and served as an early entrance into the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Women have owned the Maxwell House for the majority of years since Alice Maxwell sold the property during World War I. In recent times it operated as one of Castle Rock’s rare bed and breakfasts and now currently serves as a private residence. Combined with the few remaining, one hundred year old, Foursquare homes the Maxwell House continues to help define Castle Rocks’ unique Craig and Gould Historic District.
(Sources for this article include: Douglas County History Research Center’s county timeline; Historic Craig and Gould Walking Tour Brochures; and Architecture Coach: The American Foursquare by Jackie Craven.)
