2023 New Highlands Ranch Historical Society Board Members
At the January 2023 HRHS Board of Directors meeting several new officers were elected to serve on the Board. These include: Marian Robinson – Board Secretary Mary Beth Watkins – Board Treasurer In addition, Forrest Dykstra from the Highlands Ranch Metro District...
January 2023 Program: Maria von Trapp, The Story Behind & Beyond “The Sound of Music”
Maria von Trapp (as portrayed by Elsa Wolff) The Story Behind and Beyond “THE SOUND OF MUSIC” Special Musical Guests Deja Vu Quartet from the Skyline Chorus. Group Sing-a-Long led by Elsa on her Guitar Matriarch of the Trapp Family Singers, Maria von Trapp...
Where are the Cherry Trees?
Cherry Creek, Cherry Hills, Cherry Creek State Park, Cherry Street. It’s amazing how often the cherry name appears in the Denver and Colorado area. Ever wonder where the cherry trees are and why so many places are named “cherry”? Cherry orchards once thrived on the...
Carnations for the White House
She had dozens of carnations shipped from Colorado to the White House weekly. Marie Geneva Doud, known as “Mamie “, was born in Iowa but raised in Denver. She attended the Wolcott School for Girls, a finishing school for wealthy young girls. While visiting friends in...
The Transformation of Denver’s Toni to Broadway’s Tony
The Transformation of Denver's Toni to Broadway's Tony Born June 1888 to wealthy parents in Denver on what later would become Colfax Street, Antoinette Perry developed a love of the theater during stays with her aunt who lived in Park County, on what is still...
General Iron Works
Soft Serve Ice Cream, Cheerios and Bilge Pumps Have you ever thought of these things together? What can they possibly have in common? Just up the road from Highlands Ranch, in Englewood, is the former site of General Iron Works. According to an article written by...
Mile Houses Along Cherry Creek
The Cherry Creek Valley has long served as a major transportation corridor, from Native American footpaths to the proposed route of Interstate 25. In the 1860s, six “Mile Houses” along Cherry Creek provided food, lodging, and other services for travelers heading to,...
HRHS Receives 2022 Grant from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District
For the third year in row the Highlands Ranch Historical Society (HRHS) has received funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). The funding helps support the many programs, activities and operations of this non-profit community-based...
Colorado Gold – Highlands Ranch And The Colorado Gold Rush Sparked By Local Creek
This October 2022 presentation is about two discoveries: a recent very minor discovery by Rolf Asphaug of an intriguing little label on a local map, and the earthshaking, world-changing 164-year-old discovery which that label referenced. It is mainly of the 1859...
New Highlands Ranch Historical Society President
David Johnston was unanimously elected President of the Highlands Ranch Historical Society at the September 14, 2022 HR Historical Society board meeting. He replaces David Hill. David Johnston, who is also known as DJ, had previously served as Secretary of the HRHS...
Aurora History Museum, DeLaney Farm Visit by the Wranglers, Sept. 2022
September 2022 The HRHS Wranglers enjoyed a Volunteer Appreciation outing to the Aurora History Museum and DeLaney Farm on a cool and cloudy day in September. Under the capable leadership of Sandy Chamberlin, Volunteer Director, with assistance from her husband Paul,...
Joe Blake Made Highlands Ranch Into Hometown USA
Joe Blake Made Highlands Ranch Into Hometown USA Article Written by Shirley Cavanaugh, Publicity Chair HR Historical Society Video Tribute and Oral History by Mark Stevenson, Special Projects, HR Historical Joseph B. Blake might not be known to most Highlands Ranch...
Fire Fighting in Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch South Metro Fire Dept. Puts Out More Than Fires: The History of Fire Fighting in HR Highlands Ranch’s early residents had no fire and rescue services. “Before 1986, Highlands Ranch was not located within a fire district,” said Eric Hurst, Public...
Douglas County Sheriff Substation in Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch Douglas County Sheriff Officers Visible in Community Douglas County sheriff deputies are visible in Highlands Ranch—more often as goodwill ambassadors rather than law enforcers. But this is getting ahead of the story. The county’s law enforcement roots...
The First House in Modern Day Highlands Ranch
IN THE BEGINNING: THE FIRST HOUSE When Philip and Kaye Scott closed on the first house in the new community of Highlands Ranch on Sept. 28, 1981, developer Mission Viejo gave them a bonus—a 650-pound steer! “We had to buy a full-size freezer for all the roasts,...
Highlands Ranch-Home is Where the Heart Is
Highlands Ranch: “Home is Where the Heart is” Highlands Ranch has bragging rights for numerous awards. Long-time residents Debbie and Ken Rudolph and Diane and Dennis Pahler attest to its quality of life. In January 1980, Ken started his job as director of engineering...
Pronghorns in Highlands Ranch
Pronghorns have a special place in the history of Highlands Ranch! They are unique and beautiful animals, and once roamed freely on the land that would become Highlands Ranch. Highlands Ranch when Mission Viejo first arrived....no homes, lots of pronghorn! Mission...
Bird Art in Highlands Ranch
Bird art, like animal art, also dots the Highlands Ranch landscape. THE EPIC BIRD The bird “flying” on signs is immediately recognizable to drivers entering Highlands Ranch. In 1981, builder Mission Viejo asked Brock and Associates marketing firm to develop a logo for...
The First Homes and Subdivisions
THE FIRST HOMES AND SUBDIVISIONS IN HIGHLANDS RANCH The first homes were built starting in 1981 and sold by MV in what is today the subdivisions just to the north and south of Northridge Park and Rec Center. They include the Grove, Bayfield, and Stoney Point. The...
The Highlands Ranch Herald, Community Newspaper
In March of 2021 Jerry and Ann Healey, owners and publishers of the free, weekly community newspaper Highlands Ranch Herald, sat down with the HR Historical Society to discuss the history of the newspaper, how the newspaper reflects and reports the local news, and the...