707 Washington St
Denver, CO, USA

National Register of Historic Places - Allsop-Jensen House

Statement of Significant:

Few homes in the Denver area can boast of having three outstanding owners, but the Wood-Morris Bonfils house can. These three owners, Guilford S. Wood, Andrew S. Hughes, and Miss Helen Bonfils each made significant contributions to the development of the Denver area.

The first owner, Guilford S. Wood, who obtained the title for the land in 1907 and built the home in either 1909 or 1911, made his fortune, like so many of Colorado's historical figures, in gold and silver. He was both President of the Vindication Consolidated Gold Mining Company and Vice-President of the South Sierras Power Company. He was not only a businessman but a concerned Denver citizen as well. Realizing that the young city of Denver needed play areas for her children, he founded the Denver Playground Association, in recognition of the educative value of recreation.

The second owner, Andrew S. Hughes, made his contribution to Denver by making her a major link in cross country transportation. He was virtually a pioneer in this effort and helped to establish the overland stage line. He also served as Traffic Manager of Denver, a form of early day Denver planning.

He died in March 17, 1924, leaving the home to his daughter and son-in- law, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Randolph Morris, who lived there until her death in 1934 and his death in 1947. Helen Bonfils obtained title to the property, becoming the third owner.

The old saying that the third time is a charm must be true for the home's third owner, Miss Helen Bonfils, was a great philanthropist. Indeed, one could almost ask of her: What didn't she donate and help build? Although she is well-known for her contribution to Denver theatre, called The Bonfils Theatre and founded in 1953, she contributed to Denver's schools, churches, and hospitals. She continued in her father's footsteps by helping to set-up and finance the University of Colorado Medical Center, by giving financial support for the Bonfils Tumor Clinic and by supporting the Belle Bonfils Blood Bank in 1943 to 1945. She is also accredited with helping to establish the University of Colorado's School of Nursing expansion in 1942 and in 1956 the establishment of the Colorado Foundation of Research in Tuberculosis. She was also interested in education and co-financed the Margery Reed Mayo Day Nursery: she also gave $500,000 to St. Mary's Academy. She donated to one hundred churches of all denomiations but is most recognized for her donation to the Holy Ghost Catholic Church for which she received the pro Ecclesis of Pontiface Medal (the papal Cross) from Pope Pius III and the first Mother Pancratis Bonfils Medallion from the sisters of Loretto.
Even though her list of awards is long for her financial support to many institutions, this does not give true insight in- to her genuine love of people. She also supported individuals who were in need, specifically old women in the Denver area. They would come to her office and she would say to each one, "Come right in, honey," and give her a check. No wonder Helen Bonfils is described by one of her friends as "the kindest person I ever knew. "
And so, it is only fitting that a house that holds so many memories of her owners leading Denver from an unsophisticated boom town to one of growing sophistication be officially recognized.
This house as a memorial to the three distinguished families that once called it home is a memorial as well to the contributions each made to the community of Denver. All three families are noted philanthropist and trusts still stand in their name for this purpose. Both the Woods and the Bonfils made major contributions to the field of education and the processes of education in Denver and in Colorado. All three families were leaders in industry and finance in the State. The Bonfils, today a still highly prominent family, have likewise done much to forward the arts in Denver, the theatre and other cultural pastimes.

Architecturally, the house represents a past era of fine and gracious living within the city limits of Denver, favored by Denver's first families. It is of a piece with other large mansions and yet it has a unique flavor of its own.

It is curious that the families, whose names are household words, were yet so private as to make it difficult even now to reconstruct the lives they lived in this grand old mansion. It is truly a landmark in Denver history and architecture.