The First Convenience Center (Shopping Center)
The First Convenience Center: Highlands Ranch’s First Shopping Center Opened in 1983 When Highlands Ranch was first built in 1981, residents had to travel outside their new community for shopping. There weren’t shopping centers, let alone stores or markets. At that...
Town Center and the Clocktower
New England Inspires Highlands Ranch Town Center Design Ever wonder what inspired the design for the Highlands Ranch Town Center and its clock tower looming above the spread of buildings? John Kilrow, the person behind the design, was inspired from his boyhood days in...
James (Jim) Toepfer and HR
James Toepfer, the "Father of Highlands Ranch" In the early 1980s, several people were hired or were transferred from California. James Toepfer was one of those who moved here to Colorado. Jim served as the first President of the Colorado Division of Mission Viejo...
The Epic Bird of Highlands Ranch
THE EPIC BIRD ..... ....…was a symbol created for Mission Viejo after they purchased the cattle ranch from Lawrence Phipps’ estate and started developing the 22,000-acre property into the New Town of Highlands Ranch. According to Kathi Brock, owner of the public...
The Windmills of Highlands Ranch
The Windmills of Highlands Ranch Windmills served a vital role in rural America. In the days before what is today’s Highlands Ranch, windmills dotted the landscape. The early settlers erected them to harness wind power to pump up underground water—a precious resource...
Mission Viejo: In the Beginning: Planning & How the Early Streets were Named
Mission Viejo In the Beginning How the Early Streets were Named Have you ever wondered: Where the first houses built in Highland Ranch are located? What is the significance of that street name?? Or park name? Why was this park named “Springer Park”? and on and...
Animal Art in Public Places, Highlands Ranch
Busy Highlands Ranch residents might not take the time to notice the various forms of animal art found in their community. When Town Center was being built, a group of gorillas—yes, gorillas—was erected next to the Target parking lot. “Gorillas were put in the...
Art Cook, A Highlands Ranch Cowboy
Art Cook was a former employee of Mission Viejo and had been brought out to help develop the Ranch from the early days of Mission Viejo ownership in the early 80's. His passing in May of 2021 was a sad day for our community. Tribute Video for Art Cook Oral History of...