Historic Montclair Community Assoc. Inc. (HMCAI)

A Bit of Molkery History

Aug 12, 2003

For those of you new to the neighborhood, here?’s some background on the Molkery, the building that sits on the north side of Montclair Park, on 12th Ave. between Newport and Oneida. It was built in 1888 by Walter Baron von Richthofen (pronounced rick-TOE-fin) and has served as a spa, a dairy barn and a retreat for tuberculosis patients. The building was bought by the City of Denver in 1910 for use of the neighborhood, and remodeled. It served as a community center, a polling place, and meeting spot for the first Montclair neighborhood association and other groups. In 1998 voters approved bonds to fund 139 projects, including restoration of the deteriorating structure. The project will cost some $587,000 and is also being funded by the Colorado State Historical Society. Completion is expected early next year.

In 1996 members of HMCAI formed a Molkery Renovation Committee (it included Gail Barry, Tom Hames, Brad Denning and Bill Hansen, among others) and over the years they surveyed the neighborhood (95% of the respondents favored renovation), lobbied city officials and agencies about the merits of Molkery preservation, applied for grants to defray remodeling costs, and diligently searched for a tenant. They were instrumental in launching the restoration project and provided input on the construction and design of the building. The exterior will be restored to its 1910 features, as shown in old photos, two porches will be extended and ADA accessibility will be added. The interior will include structural upgrades and new fire and burglar alarm systems.

The main level can be used by the general public for neighborhood meetings and other events. The top floor will be occupied by Hands on Denver.