THE CASTLE THAT NEVER WAS

In the early 1900s, a Colorado entrepreneur named John Brisben Walker had an idea that was either visionary or completely unhinged, depending on your perspective: build a presidential summer palace in the foothills above Morrison.

Walker already owned thousands of acres around Mount Falcon, had developed what would become Red Rocks Amphitheater, and built his own stone mansion on the mountain's crest. Why not go one further and give the President of the United States a place to vacation with a view of the Rockies?

He hired Denver architect J.B. Benedict to draw up plans. The design called for a 22-room, five-story castle modeled after the castles of Europe — specifically King Ludwig's Bavarian castle — perched on a ridge just east of Walker's own home. He called it the Summer White House, and he meant it as a gift from the people of Colorado to the nation.

Getting the people of Colorado to actually pay for it proved trickier.

Walker placed a block of Colorado Yule marble on exhibition in downtown Denver in 1911 to drum up interest. President Taft said the location was unbeatable (while possibly having private doubts about climbing that high – Taft was a big boy). The Denver Civic and Commercial Association gave it their blessing. Walker built a road to the summit. And then... the money didn't come. The city dragged it’s feet on a $50,000 contribution. Walker's $300,000 public fundraising goal went unmet. Undaunted, he proposed that every school child in the country contribute a dime. Some of them did.

Then came the Wilson years, which were essentially a long series of near-misses. In July 1914, the Rocky Mountain News announced Wilson would lay the cornerstone in August. Two weeks later: postponed to October. October came and went. By February 1915, an architecture journal was still reporting that Wilson had consented and the building would be ready for that summer. The cornerstone was still sitting in Denver.

World War I finished what the fundraising failure had started, and Walker's personal life unraveled shortly after — his wife died in 1916, lightning took his mansion in 1918, and he left Colorado for good. He died in 1931, penniless.

The marble cornerstone was finally placed on the mountain, where it sits today at the end of Walker's Dream Trail in Mount Falcon Park. It reads: Summer Home for the Presidents of the United States, gift from the People of Colorado, 1911.

Thousands of hikers walk past it every year. Most have no idea.

THE TRAILHEAD

Want to see the land the Summer White House was supposed to be built on? Here's how you can do it, with an exceptional trail to boot.

The Mount Falcon Castle Trail Loop is a 7.5-mile moderate loop out of Morrison with 1,735 feet of elevation gain — plan for about four hours. The trail winds through open meadows and ponderosa forest with broad views of Denver, Red Rocks, and the plains stretching east. Along the way you'll pass the atmospheric ruins of Walker's stone mansion before catching the spur up Walker's Dream Trail to the Summer White House site. Dogs welcome on leash, parking at the east trailhead is free, and it gets busy on weekends — an early start is worth it. Springtime is a great time to do this one, as there’s not a ton of shade cover on the way up.

THE BRIEFING

SUNRISE 6:23 AM
SUNSET 7:38 PM

WATER RESTRICTIONS: Stage 1 Drought

CREW CONTRIBUTION

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TUESDAY

Colorado Tap House, Arvada- Nomadic Fire Mobile Sauna on site, 5-9pm. Good sweat

Green Mountain Brewery, Lakewood- Weekly Run Club, 6pm. Run, then beers

Apex Park, Golden- JeffCo Mountain Bike Club Weekly Ride, 5:30. Learn more

WEDNESDAY

Miners Saloon, Golden- Live music Wednesdays, 6-9pm.

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Country Line Dancing Night at the Rose, 7-10pm. Boot scootin’

THURSDAY

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Cheese Night w/ Cheese Ranch, 5-10pm. Beer & cheese pairings

Mountain Home, Evergreen- DIY Antler Decorating Workshop, 5:30-7:30pm. Register now

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Paints and Pints, 6-9pm. Info

Runner’s Roost, Golden- Weekly Run Club, meet at 6pm

BP Run Co, Wheat Ridge- Weekly run club, starting at 6pm. Lace ‘em up

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Thank you Thursday. Locals get 10% off all day while the kitchen is open, and a great warm up for Open Mic Night 👇️ 

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Almost Famous Open Mic Night, starting at 7pm

Colorado Mountain Club, Golden- Open Climb Night, 6-8:30pm. Come on down

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Music by the Mesa: Ponder the Albatross, 6-9pm. New grass

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- The Almighty Open Mic Night, 7pm.

FRIDAY

Cheese Ranch Artisan Deli, Golden- Fondue Friday, 5pm. Yummy

Golden Fly Shop, Golden- Fishing Close to Home Presentation and Tips, 5-7pm. Burgers & beers

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Urban Kind Live Music, 6-9pm. No Cover

Hiwan Homestead Museum, Evergreen- Murder Prohibited: A Prohibition Murder Mystery Adventure, 7:30-9pm. Get tickets

SATURDAY

Clear Creek, Golden- School of Mines E Days: Cardboard Boat Race, 9am.

Sweetwater Boutique, Evergreen- Plant Swap, 10am-12pm. Greens

Center for the Arts, Evergreen- Mosaic Workshop: Western Landscapes, 10am-2pm. Explore 

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Saturday Morning Yoga, 10-11am. Flow

Luki Brewery, Arvada- Goat Yoga & Brews, 12-1pm. Goat Snuggles

Odyssey BeerWerks, Arvada- Peak Season Crawfish Boulevard, 12-6pm. Shuck ‘em

Foothills Art Center, Golden- Artist Talk w/ Rob Bell, 2-3pm. Check it out

Gnarly’s Theater, Golden- Saturday Matinee Magic Show, 2-3pm. Bring the kids

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- Dijon Mustang, 8pm. Rock n Roll

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- Young & Dead in concert, 8pm. Ramble on

SUNDAY

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Book Fair for Adults, 12-4pm. Find a good read

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Board Game Night, 5pm-close. Have fun

Goosetown Station, Golden- Dadweed Sunday jams, 4-7pm. Toe tappin’

MONDAY

Golden Game Guild, Golden- Teach Me to Play Mondays, 6-9pm. Learn new games

New Terrain Brewing Co, Golden- Yoga on Tap 🧘 Yoga from 6-7pm, beers anytime. Get your ticket

I have no idea if this is in Colorado, I just find it funny

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See you around the next bend!