Dec 17, 1979
National Register of Historic Places - John Elsner House (Elsner House)
Statement of Significant: The John Elsner House is significant for its historical associations and architectural features. Elsner was an important physician in the area and the house is a fine example of the type, period, and method of construction of late Victorian architecture in one of Denver's oldest residential neighborhoods. John Elsner came to Denver in 1866 as the head of a medical department for the United States Army and subsequently looked after the physical condition of soldiers who came up for discharge from the service. Deciding to make Denver his home, Elsner entered private practice but also took an active role in public health. He started the movement for a county hospital and saw his plan for a public hospital service succeed. He was also appointed Denver's first county physician in 1870 and was largely instrumental in organizing the Denver Medical Society in 1871. He was also a founder of the Gross Medical College and with Mrs. Francis Jacobs, was instrumental in launching the National Jewish Hospital. He held a high position in the Masons, belonged to many medical, health, and scientific organizations, and was known by many of the local Indian tribes for his work with them. It was in 1872 that Elsner commissioned the building of this house at what was be- coming the first true residential neighborhood in Denver. Though not unusually fancy for the day, the structure was indeed so for the mile-high city, scarcely thirteen years old in that year. And it remains today a reminder of a very early day in the city's development. Walking through the house with its large rooms, lofty ceilings, marble and cast-iron fireplace mantle, and grand staircase leaves one with the feelings and associations of that bygone era.
National Register of Historic Places - John Elsner House (Elsner House)
Statement of Significant: The John Elsner House is significant for its historical associations and architectural features. Elsner was an important physician in the area and the house is a fine example of the type, period, and method of construction of late Victorian architecture in one of Denver's oldest residential neighborhoods. John Elsner came to Denver in 1866 as the head of a medical department for the United States Army and subsequently looked after the physical condition of soldiers who came up for discharge from the service. Deciding to make Denver his home, Elsner entered private practice but also took an active role in public health. He started the movement for a county hospital and saw his plan for a public hospital service succeed. He was also appointed Denver's first county physician in 1870 and was largely instrumental in organizing the Denver Medical Society in 1871. He was also a founder of the Gross Medical College and with Mrs. Francis Jacobs, was instrumental in launching the National Jewish Hospital. He held a high position in the Masons, belonged to many medical, health, and scientific organizations, and was known by many of the local Indian tribes for his work with them. It was in 1872 that Elsner commissioned the building of this house at what was be- coming the first true residential neighborhood in Denver. Though not unusually fancy for the day, the structure was indeed so for the mile-high city, scarcely thirteen years old in that year. And it remains today a reminder of a very early day in the city's development. Walking through the house with its large rooms, lofty ceilings, marble and cast-iron fireplace mantle, and grand staircase leaves one with the feelings and associations of that bygone era.
Dec 17, 1979
Posted Date
Jul 26, 2023
Historical Record Date
Dec 17, 1979
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
