Montclair
Denver’s Montclair neighborhood was originally developed as a small suburban community east of Denver.
The land was purchased and developed in 1885. One of its founders, Matthias P. Cochrane, originally came from Montclair, New Jersey and named the community in its honor.
The other founder, Baron Walter von Richthofen, was a German nobleman and uncle to Manfred von Richthofen, the celebrated World War I flying ace known as the Red Baron. The famous Richthofen castle was recently sold.
The community became the incorporated town of Montclair in 1888. With the crash of the silver market in 1893, von Richthofen began to promote the town as a health retreat.
In 1903, Denver annexed the neighborhood. A system of parkways and boulevards were developed, and many trees were planted along with erecting fountains and monuments.
Jane Smith, a Montclair preservationist, began pushing the idea of a historic dist rict in 1973, and the central heart of the neighborhood was named a historic district in 1975.
Today, residents enjoy grand old trees, large lots, and distinctive homes, including 19th century Victorian architecture and Queen Anne style architecture. There are also bungalows, cottages, Tudor revival, and modern ranch-style homes.
Montclair Park is one of three community parks in the neighborhood, and schools include Montclair Elementary and St. James Catholic School.