About

Nestled on a corner lot, this enchanting Mediterranean-style stucco dwelling transports you to a bygone era. Its two-story hipped roof bay, flanked by one-story wings and a rear two-story gabled wing, paints a picture of architectural elegance. The clay tile roof crowns the structure, its eaves gracefully overhanging. A ball finial adorns the apex, overseeing a stucco chimney that stands like a sentinel.

The textured stucco walls, adorned with a captivating fishscale motif, hold tales of craftsmanship. The central bay boldly projects, boasting paired 6/1-light windows on the upper story, each framed by a wrought iron balconette. The entrance, a deeply inset flattened arch, welcomes guests through a vertical board door flanked by multi-light windows with pebble glass.

As you explore, a journey unfolds. The north wall of a one-story gabled wing beckons with a round-arched louvered vent, while an east-facing entrance with a wrought iron balustrade hints at hidden stories. The west end reveals a tripartite window, a play of 6/1-light windows embracing a sash and transom window.

A projecting gabled roof wing intersects the house at the rear, unveiling an enclosed bay with double vertical board doors. Above, a balcony with a wrought iron balustrade and a fiberglass roof adds a touch of charm. The north wall showcases a tripartite window and, at the west end, a triple window with six 1-light windows, framing the dance of light within.

Venture inside, and the narrative continues. The sunroom floor and fireplace boast original Van Briggle tile, a testament to the passage of time. The El Paso County Assessor dates this masterpiece to 1927, a creation of Benjamin Lefkowsky, a Russian émigré and a man of many talents.

Benjamin’s story unfolds – an artist, businessman, and adventurer, he sought refuge in Colorado Springs for its climate and artistic allure. Purchasing the old Hagerman property and adjoining acres, he carved streets into the landscape, creating Park Terrace and Zyder Zee. The house stood as a testament to his vision, overlooking Monument Valley and the mountains.

A journey through time reveals occupants like R.C. Jones and the Will family, their lives intertwined with the house’s history. Vacant periods punctuate its past until, in 1965, Henry C. and Dorothy Duffield found solace within its walls.

This house, a testament to Benjamin Lefkowsky’s vision, stands as a well-preserved masterpiece of the Mediterranean Revival style. From its tile roof to the wrought iron balustrades, it whispers stories of an era gone by, beckoning to be remembered and cherished, a potential candidate for the National Register.

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Timeline

• 1926

  The home was built by Benjamin Lefkowsky after pulling a building permit on August 13, 1926.

  

• 1926

  On August 22, 1926, the Gazette Telegraph published an article that reads:

  OKLAHOMANS TO BUILD NEW HOME IN SPRINGS

  Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Jones of Cushing, Oklahoma, who have been summer guests at the Antlers Hotel for many years, have recently contracted with Benjamin Lefkowsky for a summer home to be built on Park Terrace which overlooks Monument Vally Park. Mr Lefkowsky, who has done most of the development on the west side of the 600 block on North Cascade Avenue, will supervise the structure. 

• 1928

  The city directory lists the home as vacant 1928-1930.

• 1931

  The city directory reports the house was initially occupied in 1931 by R. C. Jones. No occupation was provided for Jones.

• 1941

  By 1941, Harold L. and Bird Z. Will were the owners. Harold Will was listed as an osteopathic physician. They are listed as the owners until 1951.

• 1960

  The home is listed as vacant.

• 1965

  Henry C. and Dorothy Duffield, who were retired, are listed as the owners.

• 2004

  John N. and Mary A. Smith are documented as the owners in the Architectural Inventory interview conducted by Charise Boomsma in 2003.

  Between October 2003 and March 2004, an Architectural Inventory Form (Resource Number: 5EP4573) was created. The form declared this home as National Register eligible and an excellent example of the Mediterranean Revival Style.

Additional Resources

• 620 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.