INTRODUCTION

As today, the 1893 photograph of the 1600 block of Downing shows 1641 Downing prominently standing out among the row of otherwise similar Queen Anne Victorians. The entire block was constructed between 1889 and 1891 - a boom period in Denver building as the wealthy moved to the bluffs overlooking the downtown in such fashionable districts as Capitol Hill, Quality Hill, and Park Avenue. The latter addition, sometimes known as North Capitol Hill, was bisected by Park Avenue. This lateral thoroughfare was beautified as a parkway with trees, shrubs, and sidewalks in 1894 to appease the demands of the newly enfranchised women voters of Denver.

Downing Street was named after Jacob M. Downing in 1890. It was originally known as Halleck Street south of Colfax and Knox Avenue from Colfax to 18th Avenue.

Prominent architects designed these mansions for the era's movers and shakers. Denver's preeminent residential architect, William Lang, designed the massive Bailey Mansion at 1600 Ogden as well as the Mortimer Goff House at 1649 Downing. Commercial architect Frank Edbrooke made one of his relatively rare forays into residential architecture with the Philo D. Grommon House at 1625 Downing.

Despite these famous architects' contributions to the 1600 block of Downing, only 1641 Downing was deemed potentially qualified for landmark status in a recent inventory of Denver's historic buildings. This was likely due to the unique architectural style by an architect who only briefly left his mark on Denver's skyline and for which few examples of his work remain.

In January 1988, the Swallow Hill Historic District made the National Register of Historic Places but has still not become a Denver Historic District. There is no contemporary reference to a Swallow Hill area other than a re-subdivided block by George Ransom Swallow bordered by 16th and 17th and Emerson and Clarkson Streets. The newly named Swallow Hill Historic District, intended to distinguish it from Capitol Hill, spans Colfax to 17th Avenue, and Clarkson to Downing Streets.

FLEMING RESIDENCE

Josiah M. Fleming and his wife, Addie, arrived in Denver in 1889. A Civil war veteran, he had been a prominent merchant in Dayton, Cincinnati, and Chicago. With him came his son, Dr. Carey K. Fleming and his son's wife, Grace. Josiah immediately became a Manager at Daniels and Fisher Department Store. Carey, an 1886 graduate of Northwestern University Medical School, became a Professor of Gynecology, Abdominal Surgery, and "Clinical Midwifery" at Denver's Gross Medical College. (Dr. Carey Fleming became one of Denver's most celebrated surgeons but dies of a stroke at the age of 46 in 1910 just before his ascendancy to President of the Colorado and Denver Medical Societies.)

Josiah was promoted to General Manager of Daniels and Fisher in 1891. This department store had begun as a small dry goods and general merchandise store in 1864 and became Daniels and Fisher in 1872 at 16th and Lawrence. In the 1890s, it sported what was boasted to be the largest U.S. flag ever made - 3 stories tall and 1 block long. In 1958, it joined with May Co. to become May D & F and continues today as Foleys. The Denver landmark Daniels & Fisher Tower on the 16th Street Mall was built in 1910 and is the last vestige of the original store.

With their status and wealth, Josiah and his family decided to move uptown. They selected a new Denver architect by the name of Isaac Hodgson to design their home. The building permit is dated July 1, 1890, and the cost was listed as $10,000. The house is described as being 32 x 51 feet in dimensions. On September 25, 1890, a second building permit was obtained for a 20 x 30 foot brick "barn" or carriage house which was also designed by Hodgson and cost a further $1,000. It has obviously since been razed.

Isaac Hodgson is somewhat obscure given his brief but impressive work in Denver. His brother, Edgar, was also an architect. In 1891, Isaac designed the famous Croke-Patterson-Campbell Mansion which still stands at 11th and Pennsylvania. (See Appendix.) Interestingly, Thomas B. Croke, the original owner, was the prosperous manager and part owner of the carpet and curtain department at Daniels and Fisher until opening his own store in 1889. Croke may very well have known Josiah Fleming and his home on Downing Street when he hired Hodgson to build his high-style Chateauesque castle. Hodgson also designed another grand Chateauesque mansion at 1007 Pennsylvania for John McMurtrie, since demolished. (See Appendix.)

For the Josiah Fleming residence, Hodgson apparently integrated an eclectic mix of a number of romantic revival styles. One could argue that it, too, is Chateauesque with its vertical elements, asymmetrical, steeply pitched roof, and dominant shaped parapeted wall dormer. However, the roof line does not sprout the usual busy spires, pinnacles, turrets, and ornamental chimney elements which typically characterize the Chateauesque style. There appears to be some Richardonian Romanesque Revival influence with the prominent arched windows and their stone surrounds including floral decorative detail. The top pointed arch is a lancet arch common in Gothic Revival. The middle rounded arch and the lower Syrian arch are classic Romanesque. The truncated rusticated stone corner turret is common with Chateauesque, Romanesque, or even Queen Anne. The stone quoins in the northeast corner are quite unique for this era. On the sides are small, shaped Flemish gables. Ornamental stone belt courses and window divisions, as well as the cut glass windows, add further interest to the design. The recent stucco unfortunately obscures some of the detail. It is doubtful that the heavy squared piers for the porch and the metal grill work are original. The design is an intriguing mix of elements and styles and could likely fuel heated debates among historical and preservation architects.

Surprisingly, the Flemings did not stay long in their new home. Perhaps, both had prospered beyond their expectations. As the new General Manager of Daniels & Fisher, a larger and more ostentatious abode was necessary. By 1892, both Fleming families had moved next door to 1629 Downing, while they built an even more spectacular home on Capitol Hill. Again, they went to Isaac Hodgson to design an 8,000 square foot Greek Revival Mansion at 1133 Pennsylvania. (See Appendix.) This $20,000 home's facade was intended to look like a Greek Temple. The "Fleming House" or "Fleming-Hannington House" was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The Fleming family remained there until 1925.

The "Fleming House" at 1133 Pennsylvania is the last known work of Hodgson in Denver. That residence, the Croke-Patterson-Campbell Mansion at 11th and Pennsylvania, and 1641 Downing are the only surviving examples of Hodgson's residential designs. Besides the McMurtrie Mansion at 1007 Pennsylvania, his other residential work, including the Hoyt Mansion at 944 Pennsylvania and the Evers House at 811 Washington, have all succumbed to urban renewal and have been replaced by apartment buildings.

In 1893, the United States moved off the silver standard thereby destroying Colorado's major industry. This became known as the Silver Panic of 1893, and an economic depression ensued. Half the banks failed. Over half the realtors were driven out of business. In 1890, Denver had issued 2,338 building permits. By 1894, that number had dropped to 124. All development halted, and building plans were mothballed. The talented Hodgsons disappeared from the Denver scene and likely moved to another locale.

Josiah Fleming continued as General Manager of Daniels & Fisher until so-called "office politics" forced his retirement in 1898. Fleming had become General Manager upon the death of William B. Daniels in 1891 and the ascendancy of his son, William Cooke Daniels. However, in April, 1897, Fisher died, and the younger Daniels became full owner. He grew professionally enamored with Charles McCallister Wilcox, the son of a general. Following failed stints in real estate and as a news reporter, Wilcox became Assistant Adjutant General of the Colorado National Guard at the outbreak of the Spanish American War. Daniels was commissioned Major. After the War, Daniels elected to bring the military discipline of Wilcox to his department store. Wilcox thereby dispossessed Josiah Fleming and forced him into retirement in 1898. In one of those ironic quirks of fate, in 1908 Wilcox moved next door to the Flemings into 1129 Pennsylvania. Perhaps they were friends, or perhaps they had a large fence between their properties.

KEENER'S OCCUPANCY

Mr. and Mrs. Seth Ashby Keener bought the mansion on May 14, 1891. Based on an 1892 Colorado Blue Book, it appears the Flemings remained residents for a time after Keener moved in. Whether they were related is unknown. Keener was an insurance man until the Silver Panic of 1893. Initially, he was Superintendent and General Agent of Prudential Insurance Co. and, in 1892, became Vice President and Secretary of the Equitable Accident Insurance Company. Following the 1893 Panic, he joined the Platte River Paper Mills Co. as Second Vice President and Treasurer. He remained in residence until 1897.

THE DOUGANS

From 1898 to 1899, David H. Dougan and his wife, Rosa, lived at 1641 Downing. Dougan was Cashier at the National Bank of Commerce. When he died in 1919, his will was probated. It had been executed in 1898, and one of his witnesses was Charles Boettcher, Colorado's greatest industrialist. Boettcher had made his fortune in Leadville mining, moved to Denver in 1890, and successfully survived the 1893 Silver Panic. He eventually owned the National Bank of Commerce, Great Western Sugar Co., Ideal Cement Co., Western Packing Co., and many other enterprises. The Boettcher Family home later became the Governor's Mansion. The family legacy also lives on with the Boettcher Foundation, Boettcher Auditorium, and Boettcher Conservatory. One can speculate that Boettcher may have been entertained in the Dougan's home. Cashier was a lofty position at the bank, and it may not have been unusual for an officer to have his boss over for dinner.

THE THREE BACHELOR BABCOCK BROTHERS

In 1900, the Babcock family bought the home. The three Babcock Brothers, Charles W., Frank E., and John, Jr., never married and always lived together. For years, they had run Babcock Bros. High Class Hatters and Manufacturing Furriers at 1009-1011 16th Street.

The Babcock had arrived in Denver in 1875. Like many Colorado emigrants, their father, John Babcock, sought out the high, dry, sunny climate of Colorado which was deemed therapeutic for respiratory conditions such as consumption (tuberculosis) and, in his case, crippling asthma. He had been a successful merchant in Illinois. While active in Denver's financial circles, he was never able to conduct business in Denver due to his invalid status. It is said that he led an "unostentatious life," and his wife, Lorinda, was a "woman of quiet tastes." Their life was devoted to family and church work, and they were both active in the First Baptist Church.

At the turn of the century, hats were essential wardrobe for all fashionable men. Styles changed each Spring and Fall. Each year's style was often copied from the elegant European hatters in London and Paris. The Prince of Wales was an especially noteworthy trend-setter. Whatever he wore to Ascot or boating became the latest rage and would reach Denver six to twelve months later.

Silk hats were the most popular and preferred fashion for dressy affairs. However, in the West, stiff derbies made of the finest grade of North American or South American beaver were deemed equally fashionable. Less elegant derbies were made of Australian rabbit. Straw hats ranged from the 5 cent "hayseed hat" to the most expensive and de rigeur $200 panama hat.

As leather manufacturers, the Babcocks likely made some of their hats from scratch at their 16th Street shop. For a quality derby, this would involve coating the fur with shellac and working it into felt. This was then bent into a cone. The shape of the crown would be formed on a wooden block after which the brim would be ironed flat and curled into the latest contours. Finally, the trimmers would add the band, binding, and leather.

In 1898, the Babcock boys moved into 1649 Downing. However, their father died in 1900, and to take in their widowed mother, they moved into the more commodious residence next door at 1641 Downing where they remained until 1922. Without wives, the family always had at least two female servants.

They and their mother continued to own a large, 3-story commercial building at 1723 Stout which their father had bought years before. It included the Cliff House Hotel, perhaps inspired by the famous Cliff House in San Francisco where a daughter, Persus Babcock Gray, then lived or, possibly, the Cliff House in Manitou Springs. Given the extensive plumbing and repair bills evident in Mrs. Babcock's thick probate file, it is unlikely that the Denver Cliff House was anywhere near as elegant as its namesakes.

With their mother's death in 1915 at the age of 78 and the death of the youngest brother, John, in 1921 at the age of 47, Charles and Frank moved into the huge mansion of their high-society sister, Luella Babcock Tabor, at 1120 Grant (demolished). Charles died in 1928 at age 70, and Frank died at age 91 in 1950. They all died with substantial holdings.

Although one can conjure up various images of the devout and never-married Babcock Brothers tending to their hats and leather goods store selling derbies, bowlers, top hats, and panamas, etc., they did not live entirely sterile lives. Through their parents' and sister's connections, they likely hobnobbed with the finest in Denver Society. They were also members of the Denver Club, Denver Athletic Club, and Denver Country Club. The Babcock Family apparently has a large mausoleum at Fairmount Cemetery.

DR. BENJAMIN JEFFERSON

Dr. Benjamin and Virginia Jefferson owned the home from 1922 to 1930. He was a physician.

BOARDING HOUSE AND OFFICE ERAS

1641 Downing was vacant in 1930. With the Depression, few families could afford the upkeep of these massive, uptown mansions. As was common, these previous single-family homes - large enough to accommodate extended families - transitioned to boarding houses. The interiors became carved-up apartment buildings to afford privacy to the transient population.

1n 1933, Charles A. and Louis F. Wilson took ownership. By 1935, Mrs. Wilson was a widow. The house always had three to four couples or single people as boarders. Mrs. Wilson remained in residence until 1948.

From 1950 to 1973, Charles and Hartye Evanauska owned the home and rented it out to boarders. Mr. Evanauska was an electrician and fixture maker for Albert Sechrist Mfg. Co.

By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the building occupancy once again changed - this time to offices. This transition has culminated in the prestigious Hannon Law Firm, LLC in 2001. Because of the arbitrariness with which historic structures are named, if the current owner does sufficient renovation and otherwise proves worthy, the building might merit renaming to "The Fleming-Babcock Bros.-Hannon Mansion."