740 South Clarkson Street
Denver, CO, USA

National Register of Historic Places - Bennett-Field House (Christ Centered Ministries Priory House)

Statement of Significant:

The Bennett-Field House is eligible for the National Register under Criterion C because it embodies distinguishing characteristics of the Neo-Classical Revival style as designed by a significant architect of the time. Because this building is owned by a religious institution and is used for religious purposes, it must meet the burden of Criterion Consideration A, which it does as a property primarily derives its significance for its architectural design. The period of significance is 1905 to 1919, reflecting the first owner constructing the home in 1905 and the second owner constructing the garage in 1919.

This house embodies an excellent example of the Neo-Classical Revival style of architecture, prevalent from 1900 to 1917 in the United States. The distinguishing features of this style are the giant order Ionic columns and entablature, symmetrically balanced windows, center door, and façade division.

The architect, William E. Fisher ran the architectural firm Fisher & Fisher with his brother Arthur A. Fisher. The firm designed many of Denver's best-known landmarks including the Denver City Tramway Building (5DV.117, National Register, July 1979), the Colorado National Bank (5DV.524, April 2010), and the residences of Chester S. Morey, John Evans, Lawrence D. Phipps, and Henry C. Van Schaack. Fisher & Fisher became one of the most influential firms in the Rocky Mountain West by 1920. W.E. Fisher was honored as an A.I.A. Fellow in 1915. In addition, Fisher was the founding member of the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission in 1967. In 1909, Fisher was among ten other architects across the nation invited to enter a design competition for a country house. He won seventh prize. The competition was conducted by The Delineator, and underwritten by B.W. Dodge & Company in 1909, out of New York. As noted in the preface to the publication:

It was limited to ten architects, who were allowed to compete only by invitation, and who had prominence in various parts of the United States for designing country houses.

While Fisher originally designed a carriage house for this property, the second owner constructed a modestly ornamented garage in the same location to fulfill an increasingly modern need. The garage marks the emergence of the automobile as the transportation of choice for the elite in the early twentieth century, which changed both the culture and built environment of Denver's urban landscape. This utilitarian building is subservient to the large and ornate house, is not visible from the primary elevation and is located adjacent to the alley that runs behind the property. The simple, utilitarian construction of the garage reflects an intact example of an urban Denver garage, which, given its early date, was for a wealthy individual amongst the first to secure the new transportation technology for personal use.