1701 E Cedar Ave
Denver, CO, USA

National Register of Historic Places - Weckbaugh House

Statement of Significant:

Of the few mansions remaining in Denver, the Weckbaugh House is among the most significant. Elaborately detailed on the exterior and the interior, the residence is perhaps the most outstanding example of the Chateausque in the city. It was constructed in 1930-1933 and designed by prominent Denver architect Jules Jacques B. Benedict Within
The Weckbaugh House is situated on a 1.7-acre landscaped estate near the historic Country Club District.1 The house was built by Ella Mullen Weckbaugh, eldest daughter of one of Denver's most prominent commercial giants and philanthropists of the late 19th century, John K. Mullen. Mr. Mullen, a native of County Galway, Ireland, came to Denver in 1871 at the age of twenty-four. four years he had started his own flour mill business which prospered and grew. In 1882 he began construction of the Hungarian Flour Mills and installed the first roller mills west of the Missouri River. The Hungarian process was the first to produce true white flour in the Denver region. In 1885 the Colorado Mining and Elevator Company was organized with Mr. Mullen as general manager, and in 1887 he became president. His interests continued to expand until, in 1911, the company was operating ninety-nine mills, elevators and warehouses in six states. Mr. Mullen also engaged in other enterprises, notably land and cattle.

In his later years, Mullen became known for his generosity in supporting community projects, such as the J. K. Mullen Home for the Aged and the J. K. Mullen School for Boys.

In 1874, Mullen married Miss Katherine Smith. They had four children: Ella, May, Katherine, and Edith. In 1896-98, Mullen built a residence for the family at 896 Pennsylvania. On the adjacent lot and on two lots across the street, he built three houses for his daughters as they were married. Of these four houses, only the one at 450 East Ninth, which was constructed for Ella, remains. She resided there until the completion in 1933 of the houses at 1701 East Cedar Avenue.

In 1903 Ella Mullen married Henry Weckbaugh. They had two children, John Kernan and Eleanor. After Ella's death in 1970, Eleanor Weckbaugh resided at the estate until her death in 1977. The residence passed through several hands until it was acquired by Roger Willbanks, who purchased it with the goal of completing a full restoration.

The architect of the house was J. J. B. Benedict (1879-1948), a well-known local architect who was responsible for the design of many public, commercial and residential buildings, such as the Highland Park and Littleton public library buildings, the City Park gardens, the Washington Park pavilion and gardens, and the Mountain parks.

Although there are several "grand" houses dating to the period 1900-1935 remaining in Denver, few could properly be placed within the mansion category. Of buildings of that scale, the Weckbaugh House is distinctive in being the most impressive example of the French Norman Chateau style. The design and quality of the detailing is outstanding and exceptional within the state as well as the city of Denver. Among the many notable details of the house include the entrance element with its carved moldings and ornate Gothic windows; heavily ornamented pediments of the second-floor windows; the decorative chimney pots; and the iron balconies of the second floor. Prominent among the interior features include a grand curving staircase with ornate hand-wrought iron balustrade in the entrance hall, marble floors in the entry and living room, and a multi-colored marble mantle in the living room.