Wilkens House
611 Zyder Zee
Built 1926
Architect Benjamin Lefkowsky
Do you have stories, documents, or pictures of the Wilkens House?
About
The Wilkens house is an irregularly shaped stucco house in Mediterranean Revival style that faces west onto Monument Valley Park, separated by a low stone wall with a gate. The house is similar to the two flanking it with a two-story south end, its second floor is cantilevered over the doorway beneath. The gable end features a clipped dormer. On the north, a one-and-a-half-story hip roof displays a clipped roof, a wood shingle-clad dormer. Windows have sills and metal awnings projected over several west-facing windows. The far north portion of the house has an additional doorway that appears to have once been a drive-in garage. It is ornamented with round wood brackets and trim. A landscaped island containing boulders and a cemented rubblestone base is bordered on the house side with a concrete apron and the remainder is gravel.
The dwelling is sited to the rear of a 6,516 square foot rectangular lot in the Lefkowsky Resubdivision of Block G, Addition No. 5 the middle of three houses facing Zyder Zee. It was designed and built by Benjamin Lefkowsky as a five-room stucco dwelling with one bathroom, costing $4,500. He spelled the street name Zuyder Zee. He obtained the building permit in September 1925, but the property did not appear in the City Directories until 1927 when it was listed as vacant. The next year, Lefkowsky himself lived here – the first known occupant – but the building was again reported vacant in 1929 and 1930. Finally, Kay Wilkens moved in in 1930. At least one addition has been built on the east elevation.
Timeline
1925
The home was built by Benjamin Lefkowsky after pulling a building permit on September 23, 1925.
1926
On September 5, 1926, the Gazette Telegraph published an advertisement that reads:
The Most Original Home in Colorado Springs
Designed and Supervised by Mr. Benjamin Lefkowsky
Do you crave the exclusiveness, quiet, and delicious air of the Country around your City dwelling? These beautiful homes are located amidst the most desirable surroundings – Monument Valley Park borders the West, new homes of the better type to the North, East, and South, and yet only a few blocks from the Antlers hotel.
There are no duplicates in Europe or America. Five rooms and sleeping porch with inside garage; hot water heat; best of fixtures; attractively decorated – strictly modern.
THE PRICE IS RIGHT TO THOSE APPRECIATING SUBSTANTIALNESS and BEAUTY
You have enjoyment of the grounds of a vast estate without the trouble and expense of upkeep.
Drive Out North Cascade Avenue, to Monument Street – Turn One Block West to the Most Unusual Sub-Division in the Pikes Peak Region.
“The Robin’s Nest”
An artist with vision conceived the idea
Of building the beautiful Zuyder Zee;
Selecting a spot by the side of the stream.
He began to unfold a most comfortable dream
By the side of the lake in Monument park,
Where the swans and the awainè court from daylight till dark.
With a view of the Peak a perpetual frieze,
Uniting the heavens with flowers and trees,
Where the sun always sets in the tremendous array,
When signaling earth at the close of day.
‘Twas nested in trees and verdure green,
The most beautiful spot that aye hath seen;
And thus were the homes of the Zuyder Zee,
Built snugly and seedly for you or me.
But before the workmen pronounced them done,
There exists to the porch of the log-trimmed side,
Eve robin, a male and his charming mate,
And deeded there to try their fate.
A nest was begun with strings of moss,
And workmen wondered who had the avenue
To tag their logs, right over the door,
And keep on putting there more and more.
They decided to spy upon this pest,
And found him to be Mr. Robin Red Breast.
So hastily workmen beat a retreat,
That robin might build his love a seat,
On the topmost log, right over the door,
Under the balcony, and most secure.
Daily he made his trips to the nest
That did shield and protect his robin red breast.
Twins were born to the adoring pair,
And surely Good Luck has been left there
Is the Zuyder Zee, so quaint and still,
With the Lighthouse, the Well, and the old Windmill.
To the Zuyder Zee of Colorado Springs
Where robins meet and nest and sing –
We drink a toast: May they happy be
Who luckily inhabit the Zuyder Zee,
– By Mrs. Benjamin Lefkowsky
(This poem was inspired by the robin’s nest which still hangs over the door of the “log-trimmed eve.”)
Beginning Monday, September 6th, The Interior May Be Seen Only by Appointment With the Owner, Benjamin Lefkowsky 610 North Cascade Avenue Phone Main 2374
We shall preserve these homes faultlessly for your occupancy.
Buy a Home in Zuyder Zee
Because Only First Class Material and Workmanship Were Supplied by
A.E. Olson Plumbing & Heating Co.
All Plumbing and Heating
The Paint Supply Co.
Paints and Varnishes
Newton Lumber & Mfg. Co
All Lumber and Millwork
Metal Products Co.
Metal Work and Johns-Manville Roofing
Ray Baublits
Painting and Decorating
Joe Wallace
Stucco and Plastering
Scheffer-Nicoll & Co.
of Denver, Colorado
Tile, Marble Installation
Hagen Fuel & Feed Co.
1927
On March 6, 1927, the Gazette Telegraph published another advertisement that reads:
The Zuyder Zee
Only Two More Homes Left in the
Lefkowsky Resubdivision
The most unusual in the PIKES PEAK REGION
Six Blocks from the Antlers
LOCATED amidst the most desirable surroundings – Monument Valley Park borders the West, new homes of the better type to the North, East and South.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ORIGINAL?
There are no duplicates in Europe or America
FOR YOUR WINTER HOME
Well built for comfort in our glorious winter climate of almost perpetual sunshine; with a ne’er to be obstructed view of Pikes Peak-of the ver-changing sunsets; with the exclusiveness, the quiet and delicious air of the Country around your City Dwelling.
FOR YOUR SUMMER HOME
Would be ideal for your summer home enjoying the domain of a vast estate without the trouble and expense of upkeep. Walking distance of the City.
You Can Net 15% on Your Investment
Five rooms, glassed-in porches, inside garage; hot water heat; best of fixtures; attractively decorated – strictly modern.
THE PRICE IS RIGHT
Terms to Suit Purchaser.
SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT
BENJAMIN LEFKOWSKY
610 N. Cascade Avenue Phone Main 2374 Colorado Springs, Colorado
1931
Kay Wilkins is listed as a resident in the City Directory.
Additional Resources
- 611 Zyder Zee – a collection of documents compiled during the Historic Uptown Neighborhood’s historic preservation efforts.
- Benjamin and Ethyl Piland Leftowsky Biography by Tim Scanlon.
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