Nov 01, 1974
National Register of Historic Places - Eugene Field House
Statement of Significant: This house was the home of Eugene Field, noted journalist story-writer and poet. The house was built around 1875 and is one of the last remaining examples of early frame structures in the Denver area. Eugene Field lived here from 1881 to 1883 while he was the managing editor of the Denver Tribune. Among his most widely known poems are "uynken, Blynken and Nod" and "Little Boy Blue." He was very fond of children and tended to be one himself. He was the source of much amusement in the Denver area. One of his most famous escapades was when all Denver was awaiting the arrival of Oscar Wilde. He had one of his editors adorn a wig and a costume befitting the great aesthete. When this gentleman at the main station, "Field, bet lowed by throngs of admirers, escorted the imposter about Denver, con- spaciously pointing out buildings with his cane while the editor languidly contemplated his pastel gloves." The real Oscar Wilde was welcomed by a near-empty train station and failed to see the humor of the prank. "Denver responded with an equally low opinion of his lecture on 'interior design. "" When he was not involved in one of his pranks, Field was aiming his wit and sarcasm at the area's bigwigs in his regionally acclaimed column of miscellanies, "Odd Gossip." This column served as the springboard for his "Sharps and Flats" column when he left Denver for a post with the Chicago Daily News. Though he lived here only two years, many of his later writings were based on his Denver experiences, During the years after Field moved to Chicago, the house fell into general disrepair and was jeopardized by the growth of downtown Denver. In 1927, a group of preservationists persuaded Mrs. J.J. (the 'unsinkable' Molly) Brown (who was known to recite Field's poetry in public) to purchase the house. Three years later she donated it to the City of Denver with the stipulation that it be moved to city property. The house was moved from its original site, 315 W. Colfax, to its present location in Washington Park. From the time of its relocation until 1969, it served as the Eugene Field Library, a branch of the Denver Public Library System. presently used as the headquarters of the Park People, a volunteer citizen's group devoted to the maintenance and improvement of the many city parks. It is also the meeting place of local garden clubs, The house is open to tourists upon request, an opportunity frequently utilized.
National Register of Historic Places - Eugene Field House
Statement of Significant: This house was the home of Eugene Field, noted journalist story-writer and poet. The house was built around 1875 and is one of the last remaining examples of early frame structures in the Denver area. Eugene Field lived here from 1881 to 1883 while he was the managing editor of the Denver Tribune. Among his most widely known poems are "uynken, Blynken and Nod" and "Little Boy Blue." He was very fond of children and tended to be one himself. He was the source of much amusement in the Denver area. One of his most famous escapades was when all Denver was awaiting the arrival of Oscar Wilde. He had one of his editors adorn a wig and a costume befitting the great aesthete. When this gentleman at the main station, "Field, bet lowed by throngs of admirers, escorted the imposter about Denver, con- spaciously pointing out buildings with his cane while the editor languidly contemplated his pastel gloves." The real Oscar Wilde was welcomed by a near-empty train station and failed to see the humor of the prank. "Denver responded with an equally low opinion of his lecture on 'interior design. "" When he was not involved in one of his pranks, Field was aiming his wit and sarcasm at the area's bigwigs in his regionally acclaimed column of miscellanies, "Odd Gossip." This column served as the springboard for his "Sharps and Flats" column when he left Denver for a post with the Chicago Daily News. Though he lived here only two years, many of his later writings were based on his Denver experiences, During the years after Field moved to Chicago, the house fell into general disrepair and was jeopardized by the growth of downtown Denver. In 1927, a group of preservationists persuaded Mrs. J.J. (the 'unsinkable' Molly) Brown (who was known to recite Field's poetry in public) to purchase the house. Three years later she donated it to the City of Denver with the stipulation that it be moved to city property. The house was moved from its original site, 315 W. Colfax, to its present location in Washington Park. From the time of its relocation until 1969, it served as the Eugene Field Library, a branch of the Denver Public Library System. presently used as the headquarters of the Park People, a volunteer citizen's group devoted to the maintenance and improvement of the many city parks. It is also the meeting place of local garden clubs, The house is open to tourists upon request, an opportunity frequently utilized.
Nov 01, 1974
Posted Date
Jul 26, 2023
Historical Record Date
Nov 01, 1974
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
