History of the Boulder Crescent Inn & Hostel
"Although the first apartment buildings in the city began to appear during the early years of the twentieth century, large boarding houses and dwellings advertising furnished rooms were popular in the Boulder Crescent area. As the population of the city grew, it became more economical to erect multi-family buildings than single family residences. Operation of boarding houses provided income for single or widowed women and allowed married women to contribute to their family’s earnings. The houses at 312, 318, and 320 North Cascade Avenue, all completed in 1901, represented this trend."
"The houses at 312 and 320 North Cascade were also of a generous size to accommodate the operation of boarding houses. Both featured Edwardian style designs that harmonized with other dwellings in the residential area and encompassed a number of rooms that could be rented. Both houses incorporated complex plans, multiple gables and projecting bays, a variety of windows and dormers, and broad welcoming porches with classical column supports and balustrades. The house at 320 North Cascade still features shingled walls topping a stone foundation, while the house at 312 North Cascade is clad with asbestos siding."
"312 North Cascade Avenue was built in 1901. Edwin R. Stark was apparently the original owner of this house, which was built as an investment property. Mr. Stark (1849-1930) was described as a state pioneer who played an important role in the development of the Pikes Peak region. He served as treasurer and director of the Raven Gold Mining Co. for many years, as well as operating a wholesale and retail market on South Tejon Street. Edwin Stark was involved in irrigation development in the Fountain Valley and other parts of the state. He also invested in a refrigerator manufacturing company, worked as a cattle buyer, and engaged in a real estate business. Mr. Stark acquired this property in 1901 and sold it to Martha Perkins in November of that year.
This dwelling, like other large houses in the vicinity, functioned as a boarding house and later became apartments. In March 1902, the Colorado Springs Gazette contained the following advertisement: “Fine large room, steam heat, separate entrance, excellent table; also suitable for doctor’s office; with or without board. 312 N. Cascade ave.” Mrs. Annie A. Graham, widow of L.H. Graham, operated a boarding house here in 1902. The following year, Martha and Ephraim Perkins moved their family into the house and began running the facility.
Martha Perkins was described as “a pioneer resident of the Pike’s Peak region.” She was born in Jordan, New York, in 1850, and was educated in the East. She graduated from Notre Dame University before coming to Colorado Springs. Her husband, Ephraim G. Perkins, was born in Joliet, Illinois, in 1836. He moved to Colorado Springs about 1878 and served four terms as county assessor and one as county coroner. Mr. Perkins died in 1912 and Mrs. Perkins moved from the house in 1917. Several individuals, many with very short tenures, operated boarding houses, furnished rooms, or apartments in the building for most of the twentieth century. The property is still in multi-family use."
Excerpted from the Boulder Crescent Neighborhood Historic Buildings Survey, 2007, pages 16-17 and pages 22-23, that was prepared by: R. Laurie Simmons, M.A. and Thomas H. Simmons, M.A. from Front Range Research Associates, Inc.
"The houses at 312 and 320 North Cascade were also of a generous size to accommodate the operation of boarding houses. Both featured Edwardian style designs that harmonized with other dwellings in the residential area and encompassed a number of rooms that could be rented. Both houses incorporated complex plans, multiple gables and projecting bays, a variety of windows and dormers, and broad welcoming porches with classical column supports and balustrades. The house at 320 North Cascade still features shingled walls topping a stone foundation, while the house at 312 North Cascade is clad with asbestos siding."
"312 North Cascade Avenue was built in 1901. Edwin R. Stark was apparently the original owner of this house, which was built as an investment property. Mr. Stark (1849-1930) was described as a state pioneer who played an important role in the development of the Pikes Peak region. He served as treasurer and director of the Raven Gold Mining Co. for many years, as well as operating a wholesale and retail market on South Tejon Street. Edwin Stark was involved in irrigation development in the Fountain Valley and other parts of the state. He also invested in a refrigerator manufacturing company, worked as a cattle buyer, and engaged in a real estate business. Mr. Stark acquired this property in 1901 and sold it to Martha Perkins in November of that year.
This dwelling, like other large houses in the vicinity, functioned as a boarding house and later became apartments. In March 1902, the Colorado Springs Gazette contained the following advertisement: “Fine large room, steam heat, separate entrance, excellent table; also suitable for doctor’s office; with or without board. 312 N. Cascade ave.” Mrs. Annie A. Graham, widow of L.H. Graham, operated a boarding house here in 1902. The following year, Martha and Ephraim Perkins moved their family into the house and began running the facility.
Martha Perkins was described as “a pioneer resident of the Pike’s Peak region.” She was born in Jordan, New York, in 1850, and was educated in the East. She graduated from Notre Dame University before coming to Colorado Springs. Her husband, Ephraim G. Perkins, was born in Joliet, Illinois, in 1836. He moved to Colorado Springs about 1878 and served four terms as county assessor and one as county coroner. Mr. Perkins died in 1912 and Mrs. Perkins moved from the house in 1917. Several individuals, many with very short tenures, operated boarding houses, furnished rooms, or apartments in the building for most of the twentieth century. The property is still in multi-family use."
Excerpted from the Boulder Crescent Neighborhood Historic Buildings Survey, 2007, pages 16-17 and pages 22-23, that was prepared by: R. Laurie Simmons, M.A. and Thomas H. Simmons, M.A. from Front Range Research Associates, Inc.
