© 2005 Updated: 12/19/05

ANTENNA TOWER - SPECIAL REPORT

Public Attractions in Mt. Vernon Canyon

The primary attractions of the I-70 “Gateway to the Rockies” are scenic views from popular event centers and mountain recreation on pristine preserved acres. The magical landscape of the Old West remains for visitors, residents and wildlife within 20 minutes of Denver. New residential development, visible from I-70 between Lookout Mountain exit 256 and Genesee Park exit 254, camouflage 8,000 preserved acres in the area beyond the highway. Travelers into high altitude neighborhoods discover vistas of the Denver metro area, Clear Creek Canyon, the Continental Divide, Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests, Evergreen and Bear Creek Canyon.

Lariat Trail AKA Lookout Mountain Road

Engineers from around the world continue to visit this legendary scenic drive of 56 curves, including seven hair-pins, that rises 2,000 feet for 4.5 miles from Golden to Buffalo Bill’s Grave on Lookout Mountain. From the Lariat, hikers access the Beaver Brook Trail, paragliders launch off Mount Zion (north of Lookout) and bicyclists train for competition. To learn more, click The Amazing Legacy of the Lariat Trail.

Buffalo Bill’s Grave & Museum
and Pahaska Lodge

This official “American Treasure” enjoys 500,000 visitors annually, the third most popular tourist attraction in Colorado. William Cody’s traveling Wild West Show in the United States and Europe from 1882 until 1913 is exhibited here.

The City and County of Denver acquired 65.7-acre Lookout Mountain Park as a resting place for Buffalo Bill in 1917. Picnic shelters and the Pahaska Lodge were built during the 1920s. The Museum was built in 1972. buffalobill.org

Boettcher Mansion Event Center

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Charles Boettcher built the 10,000 square foot “Lorraine Lodge’ in American Arts & Crafts style of 1917. His granddaughter donated the estate on the 110-acre wildlife preserve to Jefferson County in 1968. The county restored the property in 1975 for wedding receptions, events and nature education programs. The National Register of Historic Places site is visited by over 50,000 people annually. mansion.co.jefferson.co.us

JeffCo’s Lookout Mountain Nature Center & Preserve

Jefferson County Open Space constructed a nature education center and trails on the Boettcher parcel in 1997. The “sustainable’ log building of earth friendly materials offers an educational “Ponderosa Pine Forest’ exhibit of local flora and fauna.

The grounds are landscaped with native plants and 2.2 miles of outdoor nature trails. Professional and volunteer naturalists provide nature seminars. See Community Calendar and website: co.jefferson.co.us

Denver’s Genesee Park

The first land acquisition of Denver Mountain Parks was Genesee Mountain in 1912. U.S. Hwy 40 cut through the 2400-acre park in 1937 as did I-70 in 1969. Scenic drives, picnic areas, a stone event building and ball fields are south of I-70 exits 254 and 253. Since 1911, the American flag has flown at the top of Genesee Park (8284-feet altitude) courtesy of the Peace Pipe Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Stapleton Trail and a Braille Trail connect with the historic Beaver Brook Trail north of I-70 exit 253 in rugged wilderness. In 1995, Denver established a wilderness experience program for youths in north Genesee Park.

Denver’s Buffalo Herd

In 1914, Denver enclosed 160 acres of Genesee Park for Colorado elk and American bison. Preservation of the near-extinct species was the primary purpose, but scarcities during World War I prompted the city to establish a source for supplemental meat to beef and poultry. Park personnel have lived in the historic “Patrick House’ (circa 1860) within the park boundaries since 1914. It is the oldest structure in continuous use in the area. Hundreds of thousands of visitors watch the bison north of I-70 exit 254.

Denver’s Chief Hosa Lodge & Campground

The Chief Hosa Lodge and Campground was built in Genesee Park in 1918. Architect J.J. Benedict designed the rustic lodge of native stone and wood to serve a “summer tent colony.’

Over the years, the lodge has been a World War I museum, gambling hall-bordello, scout camp, and youth hostel. It is now a popular event center, south of I-70 exit 253. chiefhosa.com

Historic Beaver Brook Trail

Native Americans, elk, deer and other animals used the trail above Clear Creek for centuries. Local residents and Colorado Mountain Club members volunteered to assist Denver Mountain Park personnel improve the trail in 1917. Trail heads are at Colorow Point (a .37-acre Denver Mountain Park across from the Lookout Mountain Nature Center entrance), along the Lariat Trail at “Windy Gap,’ and off Stapleton Trail in Genesee Park. For more information, call JeffCo Open Space 303 271-5925.

Jefferson County’s Apex Park

Native Americans regard this as “sacred land’ at a strategic location used to hunt, camp, pray and view the eastern plains for thousands of years. Apex was an 1861 emigrant settlement, near today’s Heritage Square. The historic Apex and Gregory Wagon Road is still visible for hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians at some places near the 7.7 miles of trails within the 661-acre park that rises 2,000 altitude feet to Lookout Mountain Road. The trail continues as “Lookout Mountain Trail’ along Colorow Road to the Lookout Mountain Nature Center and the Beaver Brook Trail. co.jefferson.co.us

Jefferson County’s Matthews-Winters Park

The site is adjacent to historic Mt. Vernon Towne founded in 1859 at the mouth of the canyon, west of the geologic “hogback.’ It was Colorado’s first provisional territorial government capitol in 1860-61. JeffCo Open Space acquired 1,127-acres on both sides of I-70 (exit 259) in 1976 and 1983. The 6.6 miles of trails connect with Denver’s Red Rocks Park and JeffCo’s Hogback Park. co.jefferson.co.us

Jefferson County’s Windy Saddle Park

This land is also considered “sacred’ by Native Americans. A historic (1880s) wagon road that rose from Golden to Windy Gap on the Lariat Trail was restored as a hiking trail in 1997-99. Access is off the lower Lariat Road and at the Beaver Brook Trailhead at Windy Gap. Acquisition of 1,067 acres in 1995 nearly completed preservation of JeffCo’s central “mountain backdrop’ and added 4.45 miles of trails. co.jefferson.co.us

Mother Cabrini Shrine

More than 200,000 pilgrims from around the world visit this beautiful and serene site annually. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the patron saint of immigrants, founded the Institute of Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1880 and established 67 schools, orphanages, hospitals, missions and centers to serve the poor. She founded the 800-acre site as a summer orphanage supported by ranching in 1912. Access is off U.S. Hwy 40, parallel to I-70, between exits 259 and 256. www.den-cabrini-shrine.org

Rockland Community Church

The original Rockland Church, built in 1879, still stands quietly in Rockland Valley. Dramatic population increase during the 1950s supported a second church built in 1960 on Mt. Vernon Country Club Road off I-70 exit 254.

It is a popular church for weddings, with a backdrop view of the Continental Divide. There is a pre-school on the lower level. Rockland is part of the United Church of Christ mainstream with more evangelical focus. Members believe: “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, diversity; in all things, love.’ www.Rocklandcc.org

Lookout Mountain Community Church

The congregation expanded so rapidly in the first building built in 1990 on Lookout Mountain Road that a much larger “campus’ is now under construction near I-70 in the Genesee Business Center.

The mission of the church is “We love because He first loved us… as an act of obedience to our Lord’s great commission, as compassion for those who live without a knowledge of the Good News…’ Numerous small group activities are listed on the website: www.Lomcc.org

The “Sculptured House’ on Genesee Mountain

Mt. Vernon Canyon’s best known landmark, clearly visible from I-70, is the “Sculptured House’ on Genesee Ridge east of Genesee Park. Architect Charles Deaton built the sculptured house in 1963 “to escape the square world.’ Actors Woody Allen and Diane Keaton and a Hollywood crew leased it in 1974 to film the movie “Sleeper.’ The original design was completed as a second private residence in the year 2000. See this month's feature "The Sculptured House."

Note: All Denver Mountain Parks (and structures within), the Lariat Trail, Boettcher Mansion, Mother Cabrini Stone House and some private homes are listed with the National Register of Historic Places.

For more about Mt. Vernon Canyon:
Legacy of the Lariat Loop Road
Brief History
Neighborhoods

For more attractions in communities nearby:
Golden Chamber of Commerce www.goldencochamber.org
Evergreen Chamber of Commerce www.evergreenchamber.org
Lariat Loop Mountain Gateway Heritage Area www.lariatloop.org
Red Rocks Amphitheatre www.redrocksonline.com

This is one of 12 extraordinary stained glass windows at the Mother Cabrini Shrine.

The Sculptured House seen from Genesee Village and I-70.