Consider for a moment the year 1907. The Stoiber-Reed-Humphreys Mansion arises as a symbol of opulence. It stands as a testament to Denver’s flourishing elite. This magnificent structure before you is more than just a building. It is a portal into a bygone era.
The Stoiber-Reed-Humphreys Mansion is located in the Humboldt Street Historic District. This district earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places. That happened December 29, 1978. The mansion earned the reputation as the district’s grandest residence.
Originally named Stoiber Mansion or Stoiberhof, this house boasts 30 rooms. The architectural firm Marean and Norton brought Edward G. Stoiber’s vision to life. Stoiber was a German mining engineer. He owned the Silver Lake Mine in Silverton, Colorado. Following his death in Paris, his wife Lena commissioned the mansion.
Imagine a social hub, a place for lavish gatherings. The Stoiber-Reed-Humphreys Mansion features a 50-foot entrance hall. A main-floor drawing room spans 40 feet. The total area exceeds 16,000 square feet. The dining room accommodates 50 guests easily. It also includes nine bedrooms and nine baths. Unbelievable.
There was a basement swimming pool. There was a bowling alley. There was even a barber shop. An elevator carries residents to the second floor. A glass and metal canopy shelters the front door. Dormers and balustrades adorn the eaves.
Lena Stoiber remarried Hugh Rood in 1909. Rood was a wealthy businessman from Seattle. Tragedy struck when Rood perished on the RMS Titanic. Lena then sold the Stoiber-Reed-Humphreys Mansion to Verner Z. Reed. Reed was a philanthropist. He developed Salt Creek oil fields in Wyoming. He also had interests in banking and mining. Reed was an art collector.
The mansion later became home to Albert and Ruth Boettcher Humphreys in 1920. Albert was vice president of Humphreys Engineering Company. He also held the position of president at Humphreys Gold Company. Ruth, daughter of Charles Boettcher, was a philanthropist. She supported the Denver Art Museum. The Humphreys raised their daughters here. They belonged to Denver’s “Sacred 36”.
This impressive building also saw its share of drama. Lena Stoiber erected a twelve-foot wall. She did this due to a dispute with neighbor Egbert W. Reed. This led to a lawsuit. It seems even magnificent mansions cannot escape neighborhood squabbles.
Today the Stoiber-Reed-Humphreys Mansion remains a landmark. It stands as a reminder of Denver’s past. It is a symbol of ambition, innovation, and sometimes, a bit of controversy. It’s a captivating tale etched in stone.