Sep 04, 1980
National Register of Historic Places - Ernest LeNeve Foster House
Statement of Significant: The Ernest LeNeve Foster House is significant for its association with Ernest LeNeve Foster, a significant figure in the development of the minerals industry in Colorado. The structure is also significant for its architectural features and for its association with its architect, William Lang. Ernest LeNeve Foster was born in London, England, in 1849. He studied mining engineering at the Royal School of Mines in London and later at the Konigliche Bergakademie at Freiberg, Saxony, at that time the world's leading mining school. After completing his education, he took his first jobs in Europe, but in 1872, at the age of twenty-three, he emigrated to the United States to continue his career in Colorado. Over the next four decades he managed many major mines in Clear Creek, Gilpin, and Summit counties, notably the Snow Drift, Fletcher, Colorado Central, and Saratoga properties, among many others. He also held a number of public posts, the most important of which was that of State Geologist. He died in Denver in 1925. The architect of the home was William Lang, probably the best known of Colorado's architects. Lang's background is largely unknown though it is suspected that he served an architectural apprenticeship in Chicago. He arrived in Denver in the 1880s, formed a partnership, and immediately began to design large commercial and residential structures. Many of these have unfortunately been demolished, but of those that re- main several are now listed in the National Register, including St. Mark's Church, the Zang House, Ghost Building, Bailey House, all in Denver, and the Orman-Adams Mansion in Pueblo. Lang died under mysterious circumstances in Illinois in the mid-1890s. From an architectural perspective the Ernest LeNeve Foster House is a fine execution of Lang's approach to the Queen Anne style of Victorian architecture. According to his notebook this was the next to the last structure that he designed in Denver, and as the last structure has been demolished, the Foster House is the final representation of his work still in existence. This building reflects the maturation of his aesthetic challenge in its function, scale, texture, and design. Although the building faces Lafayette Street, all sides provide a visual interest, most notably the east and south which face the street.
National Register of Historic Places - Ernest LeNeve Foster House
Statement of Significant: The Ernest LeNeve Foster House is significant for its association with Ernest LeNeve Foster, a significant figure in the development of the minerals industry in Colorado. The structure is also significant for its architectural features and for its association with its architect, William Lang. Ernest LeNeve Foster was born in London, England, in 1849. He studied mining engineering at the Royal School of Mines in London and later at the Konigliche Bergakademie at Freiberg, Saxony, at that time the world's leading mining school. After completing his education, he took his first jobs in Europe, but in 1872, at the age of twenty-three, he emigrated to the United States to continue his career in Colorado. Over the next four decades he managed many major mines in Clear Creek, Gilpin, and Summit counties, notably the Snow Drift, Fletcher, Colorado Central, and Saratoga properties, among many others. He also held a number of public posts, the most important of which was that of State Geologist. He died in Denver in 1925. The architect of the home was William Lang, probably the best known of Colorado's architects. Lang's background is largely unknown though it is suspected that he served an architectural apprenticeship in Chicago. He arrived in Denver in the 1880s, formed a partnership, and immediately began to design large commercial and residential structures. Many of these have unfortunately been demolished, but of those that re- main several are now listed in the National Register, including St. Mark's Church, the Zang House, Ghost Building, Bailey House, all in Denver, and the Orman-Adams Mansion in Pueblo. Lang died under mysterious circumstances in Illinois in the mid-1890s. From an architectural perspective the Ernest LeNeve Foster House is a fine execution of Lang's approach to the Queen Anne style of Victorian architecture. According to his notebook this was the next to the last structure that he designed in Denver, and as the last structure has been demolished, the Foster House is the final representation of his work still in existence. This building reflects the maturation of his aesthetic challenge in its function, scale, texture, and design. Although the building faces Lafayette Street, all sides provide a visual interest, most notably the east and south which face the street.
Sep 04, 1980
Posted Date
Jul 28, 2023
Historical Record Date
Sep 04, 1980
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
