HRHS Tidbits

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...

The First House in Modern Day Highlands Ranch-HOME SWEET HOME

IN THE BEGINNING:  THE FIRST HOUSE--HOME SWEET HOME  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...

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...