Biggar-Weller Residence
610 Park Terrace
Built 1924
Architect Benjamin Lefkowsky
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About
This house is part of a residential area developed by Russian émigré Benjamin Lefkowsky during the 1920s. Mr. Lefkowsky purchased the Hagerman Mansion and five undeveloped acres of land next to it in 1922. The mansion had been vacant for about 15 years. He developed the area, adding two streets: Park Terrace and Zyder Zee. The houses of the neighborhood were noted for their picturesque compositions and elaborate landscaping which took advantage of the splendid natural setting. Mr. Lefkowsky, who also owned the Russ Amer Arms was cited as an “artist, businessman, solider in the Russan czar’s Hussars, an adventurer, and a gentleman.”
This is a modest mission-revival-style home, which exhibits a textured stucco exterior with a hipped roof, tile ornamentation, and curvilinear parapets with small round-arched vertical inset openings at the top. Wrought-iron balconettes are placed below the windows. The mission-revival style reflects the influence of the Hispanic architecture of the southwest. Locally significant.
Timeline
1924
The home was built by Benjamin Lefkowsky.
On December 6, 1924, the Telegraph Gazette published a short note about the permit that reads:
CITY HALL – COURTHOUSE
Permits issued from the office of the city engineer yesterday included one new house and two garages. They were issued to Benjamin Lefkowsky, $4,500 stucco house, 608 Parkside Row….”
1925
The Telegraph Gazette published an article on February 8, 1925, about the home being built that reads:
WILL DEVELOP LOTS EAST OF M.V. PARK
New Bungalows Being Built by B. Lefkowsky Upon Hagerman Site
A new development and building project is under way in Colorado Springs and will be known as “Park Terrace.” It is being directed by Benjamin Lefkowsky, who purchased the old Hagerman property at 610 North Cascade avenue several years ago. Land in the rear of the big stone house, on the hill overlooking Monument Valley park, is now being improved.
One bungalow is already under construction and is the property of Mrs. Marie Louise Beggar, a member of a well known pioneer family. Another building will be erected within the next few weeks.
Mr. Lefkowsky’s present plans contemplate the development of the entire block with homes, the bungalows to be numbered on the new roadway intersecting Monument street and Willamette avenue. It is this street with its adjacent homes that will be known as Park Terrace.
On March 29, 1925, the Gazette Telegraph published an article with more information on the construction of the home that reads:
Roof Gardens on New Model Homes Planned Along M.V.
The roof garden is about to make its advent in Colorado Springs. But not in a public way, with a theater and bright lights on the top of some business block. Rather, the roofs of attractive homes that will be building this summer are to have, instead of sloping tiers of shingles, flat grass plots, flower beds, pergolas and playing fountains.
It is part of a development plan of Benjamin Lefkowski, who several years ago bought the palatial Hagerman home at 610 North Cascade avenue. This is a stone mansion that had been vacant for many years. After expending about $40,000 in improving the property and constructing a stone apartment building as well on the grounds, Mr. Lefkowski has launched a $75,000 project, which is to consist of a number of bungalows to be built on property which he owns between Cascade avenue and Monument Valley park. He has named it the Lefkowski resubdivision and streets are being laid out. An artist, he has himself designed the houses which he is to build, and they are as novel as they are, so far as yet constructed, attractive.
One, a yellow house with many attractive features and a stucco finish of sweeping highlights such as had not been used here before, has been sold before it is more than half finished. Another which is nearing completion also has been sold.
The next one he builds, he says, is to be his own home, as he wishes to use the entire Hagerman home which he has acquired as his photograph studio.
HOUSES THAT ARE DIFFERENT
Here are two of a number of bungalows which are being built in the Lefkowski subdivision, which is the old Hagerman estate, between Cascade avenue and Monument Valley park, north of Willamette avenue. Benjamin Lefkowsky, owner of the property, is himself designing the houses, which are characterized by strikingly new features. The two here shown have been sold, altho they are not yet done.
As the ground slopes down so abruptly toward the park at this point the windows of the houses now under construction will give upon the roofs of those below, and so in order that the superb view of Pikes Peak and Monument Valley park may not have a hard, harsh note in it by roofs in the foreground, he has conceived this roof garden idea. This will also make the houses which are to have the roof gardens very attractive places. He says that he hopes to have this work all under way soon and the houses will be under construction during the summer. There will be a windmill effect in one of them. It will make of the place one of the most picturesque spots in the region.
Mr. Lefkowsky is using much Van Briggle tile in his building operations and is have it laid with an inallity that that distinguishes his architectural scheme. He has struck a note in house designing and the home has already progressed far enough to have attracted much attention.
1927
The house was initially occupied by Mrs. Marie L. Biggar in 1927.
1928
The house was occupied by Stanley Stoner.
1931
The house was occupied by Pollard.
1941
By 1941 this was the residence of Verne H. and Dorothy Weller. Mr. Weller was president of Weller Lumbar & Supply Co.
Additional Resources
- 610 Park Terrace Research – a collection of documents compiled during the Historic Uptown Neighborhood’s historic preservation efforts.
- Benjamin and Ethyl Piland Leftowsky Biography by Tim Scanlon.
- Colorado Springs walking tours – North Parkside area – article written by Doug Fitzgerald of the Gazette on Jul 11, 2017, Updated Dec 18, 2019
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