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| Home > Get Involved > Highlands Ranch History | |
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Highlands Ranch History Below you can read about the history of the land now called Highlands Ranch. Thanks to the Highlands Ranch Historical Society and Shea Homes for much of this historical information. To learn more about the history of our community, please call the Highlands Ranch Historical Society at 303-471-5611, or for more information about upcoming programs, projects and meetings. Windmills like those pictured to to the right were very important to ranchers because they helped supply water to cattle in various pastures. The historic windmill on the right stands today on the ranch property. Click here to learn about the area's rich history through the activities and programs of the Highlands Ranch Historical Society. Dad Rufus "Potato"
Clark Rufus became
a caring philanthropist. After hearing
of the Chicago fire in 1871, Rufus packed up his potatoes, hauled them to Denver,
and auctioned them off, with all proceeds going to the fire victims.
He also donated 80 acres of land and $500 to a Methodist college, which
later became the University of Denver at University Park.
Later, he sold some of his land to the City of Denver to start Jewell Park
and later Overland Park. So, it seems
quite appropriate that a modern Highlands Ranch park, Dad Clark Park, should be
named for a local historic figure who supported parks and left a mark on our region’s
history. Dad Clark's
name is also seen around the community
on Dad Clark Drive, in Dad Clark Park, and in Dad Clark Gulch, a natural open space area. The Highlands Ranch Mansion
The mansion’s first owner was John Springer, whose wife Eliza’s ill health, forced a move to Denver in 1897. In 1891, Springer began construction of the mansion. The original building reflected a Russian castle style. He completed almost 60 percent of the present structure. Springer quickly rose to local prominence and was active in politics, running for mayor of Denver. In 1904, Springer’s wife died. He re-married Isabelle, and renamed the mansion Castle Isabelle. Springer sold the ranch to Colonel Hughes, his first father-in-law, in 1913. Hughes later stabled horses in the ranch house and renamed the property Sunland Ranch. When Colonel Hughes died in 1918, the land passed to his granddaughter, Annie Clifton Springer Hughes. Anne and her husband Lafayette sold the mansion in 1920 to Waite Phillips, one of the brothers who founded Phillips Petroleum. Phillips owned the property for about six years and first introduced the name Highlands Ranch. In 1926, Phillips sold the mansion to Frank E. Kistler for $425,000. Kistler converted the ranch into a breeding ranch specializing in dairy and Angus cattle, purebred sheep, hogs and chickens. The ranch was then known as the Diamond K Ranch. Local parks are named after Kistler and the Diamond K Ranch. At the same time, Kistler added the final 40 percent of the mansion and altered the style to a classic Tudor. The six fireplaces, nine bedrooms, hardwood floors and a secret passageway were reminiscent of the European homes and alllowed for entertaining in grand style. Kistler invited Lawrence C. Phipps, Jr., to relocate the Arapahoe Hunt Club
to the
The photo above was taken from the Mansion's main entrance looking out at the foothills to the west. Lawrence Phipps, Jr. died in 1976 and the ranch was sold to Marvin Davis, of Davis Oil Corporation, for more than $13 million. He re-sold the property in 1978 to Mission Viejo Company, which had a vision of a master planned community. In 1997, Mission Viejo Company was purchased by Shea Homes, the current owner of the ranch and mansion. The ranch encompasses 250 acres. While the main purpose of the ranching operation has been beef production, the ranch also included a dairy operation, which was located in the northern barn. The brick silos connected to the barn provided storage for cattle feed during the winter. The bunkhouse west of the dairy barn provided lodging for many of the ranch hands who worked on the property. The next barn was used for general maintenance activities within the ranch. The corrals to the south and east of the barns were typically used during the calving and branding operations. The windmill south of the mansion is the site of the primary well used for the ranching headquarters and mansion. The well is still in operation; however, the pump is now powered by electricity. There were quite a number of wells drilled throughout Highlands Ranch so that water would be available for cattle in each pasture. The Highlands Ranch Historical Society maintains information on this valuable piece of our community's history. The Metro District of Highlands Ranch, with input from residents, will develop a future plan for a future historic park on the ranch land. E-mail the Metro District at Information Please. When sending email, please include your name and phone number so we may also have the option to call you to answer your questions. This page was last updated
on May 28, 2008.
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of history, reflecting
the lifestyle of early settlers and pioneers of the area now known as Highlands
Ranch, Colorado.
