About

Nestled in the heart of Colorado Springs stands a captivating two-and-a-half-story Craftsman-style dwelling, a living testament to the architectural marvels that graced the city during the early twentieth century. This house, with its intricate details and rich history, whispers tales of a bygone era.

As you approach, your eyes are drawn to the gabled roof, proudly adorned with overhanging eaves and triangular knee braces. A symphony of features unfolds before you — large gabled dormers, multi-/single-light double-hung sash windows with slanted surrounds, shingled walls, and a sturdy brick foundation. The gabled porch, an inviting entryway, boasts triangular knee braces, tapered columns standing atop brick piers, and a solid balustrade with stone trim.

Yet, time has woven its threads of change into the fabric of this historic dwelling. The porch, once modest, has extended its embrace, and a porte cochere now stands as a silent sentinel on the southern side. These alterations, while enhancing practicality, have left a mark on the house’s original charm, somewhat dimming its role as a historic representative of the Craftsman style.

This house is not merely a structure; it carries the spirit of John Garrett, an early member of the AdAmAn Club and a nationally famous marksman. The walls echo with the stories of gatherings on the porch, the laughter that once reverberated under the gabled roof, and the quiet moments that unfolded in the shadow of the brick foundation.

As you explore further, the asymmetrical façade unfolds, revealing two gabled wall dormers, an off-center gabled entrance, and a projecting gabled porte cochere. Decorative verge boards, ridge finials, and triangular knee braces add a touch of elegance to the shingled gables. The north dormer peers out with paired 4/1-light double-hung sash windows, while the south dormer features a tripartite window, creating a harmonious play of light and shadow.

The full-width porch, a canvas of craftsmanship, beckons with its green-glazed brick piers and stone-topped columns. A paneled door with beveled glass light stands guard at the off-center entrance, welcoming you into a world frozen in time. The rear wall unveils two large gabled dormers, a balcony, and bands of double-hung sash windows, each telling a chapter of the house’s evolution.

Yet, as with any tale, this one has seen its share of changes. A 1983 photograph captures the porch’s extended reach, while 1998 marks the addition of the porte cochere. Small louvered vents on the north dormer, a rear porch, and possibly the rear dormers were introduced over time, leaving an indelible mark on this architectural gem.

In the dance between preservation and progress, this Craftsman-style dwelling stands as a living mosaic, telling a story of a century past while adapting to the rhythm of the present. Each alteration, a brushstroke on the canvas of time, contributes to the vibrant narrative of a house that witnessed history unfold within its walls.

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Timeline

• 1911

  This house was not present on the 1907 Sanborn map, nor was the address listed in the 1910 city directory. The 1911 date of construction provided by the El Paso County Assessor appears to be correct.

• 1913

  On March 2, 1913, the Gazette Telegraph published an article about the Garretts building a home that reads:

  CITY BRIEFS

  TO BUILD HOME – John W. Garrett has let the contract for a frame residence to cost $6,000, to be built on the property purchased by him recently at 630 North Cascade avenue.

• 1914

  Jon W. Garrett is listed as a resident. Jon’s occupation is in guns ammunition, sporting goods, and confectionery cigars.

• 1920

  John W. and Fannie C. Garrett were the long-time owners and residents of the dwelling. The Garretts, who had become engaged in 1915, were shown at this address in the 1920 city directory and the family continued to own the house through at least 1960.

  John Garrett operated a sporting goods business selling guns, ammunition, sporting goods, confectionery items, and cigars. He was born in New York in 1866. Mr. Garrett was one of the early members of the AdAmAn Club and a nationally famous marksman. He died in 1937.

  Fannie Christy Garrett was born in Rising Sun, Iowa about 1870. She was a member of the First Christian Church and the Portia Club. Mrs. Garrett lived in the house until she died in 1962. The Garrets had one daughter.

• 1965

  In the 1965 city directory, the house is indicated as vacant.

Additional Resources

• 710 N Cascade Ave Research – a collection of documents compiled during the Historic Uptown Neighborhood’s historic preservation efforts.