How many stories do these red bricks hold? This is the Bowles House. It stands tall on 72nd Avenue in Westminster, Colorado. It is a testament to the area’s pioneering spirit. The Bowles House Museum preserves local history. It is filled with engaging exhibits. It shares local stories.
Edward Bruce Bowles first came to the Colorado Territory in 1863. He was a fearless 17-year-old. He made a career escorting cargo. He rode on horseback. He traveled from Missouri to Denver, Salt Lake City, and Santa Fe. By the time Edward settled in Westminster, he had crossed the plains 11 times.
In 1871, Edward married Mahalia Elizabeth Longan. They homesteaded a parcel of land. First, they built a wood frame cabin. Then they started building a proper brick house. It took five years. In 1876, the red brick Bowles House was completed.
The two-story house was unique. It was the center of a working farm and ranch. Yet, it had fashionable features. Brick arches framed the rounded windows. A decorative front porch graced the facade. This Italianate-style home would have been more common in a 19th-century urban setting.
Edward Bowles raised horses. He was a well-traveled cowboy. He specialized in draft horses. These horses hauled heavy cargo across the plains. Edward rode his best horse each year in the Denver Pioneer Parade on Colorado Day.
Edward Bowles also planted an apple orchard. He grew wheat, barley, and alfalfa. He worked to bring railroad service to the area. He built a depot on his property. It served as a community hub. It facilitated shipping agricultural goods and travel. The Bowles family raised nine children. They routinely opened their home for community church services. All denominations were welcome.
Later, Edward Bowles shipped supplies to Central City during the gold rush. He hauled heavy equipment with his draft horses. Milling machines made their way up into the mountains. Edward Bowles was a respected pioneer. He died at age 76. His children continued the family tradition of community service. They lived in the house until the 1930s.
Over the years, the house fell into disrepair. In the 1970s, the City of Westminster bought the property. The fire department used it for training. Former Skyline Vista Elementary School students and the Westminster Historical Society preserved the Bowles House. The City restored it to its original 1870s appearance.
The Bowles House Museum is open to the public. Experience the ornate architecture. View the hundreds of artifacts. Learn about Westminster’s pioneering families. The Bowles House stands as a reminder. It reflects the enduring spirit of Colorado’s early settlers. Its red bricks tell silent stories. They whisper tales of perseverance and community. The Bowles House is more than a building. It is a legacy.