^
Keep Westword Free
I Support
- Local
- Community
- Journalism
Support the independent voice of Denver and help keep the future of Westword free.
Tilden School Becomes Denver's 56th Landmark District
Friday, December 27, 2019 at 7:13 a.m.

Shannon Stage
The Bosler House today, after 125 rocky years.
1/20

Historic Denver
Built by the Bosler family, the house once stood almost alone in Highland.
2/20

Historic Denver
The Bosler family was the first to occupy the house.
3/20

Historic Denver
The Bosler House was made a Denver landmark in 1984.
4/20

Historic Denver
In 1916, the house had become the headquarters of the Tilden School.
5/20

Historic Denver
Dr. John Henry Tilden was an early practitioner of holistic medicine.
6/20

Historic Denver
The Tilden Health Center promised a cure in Denver's dry climate.
7/20

Historic Denver
The Boster house was just part of the complex comprising the Tilden School.
8/20

Historic Denver
The Tilden School was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
9/20

Historic Denver
But by 2000, the Bosler house was a wreck, despite its landmark status.
10/20

Historic Denver
The owner's goal was to let the place fall apart...
11/20

Historic Denver
so that Denver City Council would allow it to be delisted as a landmark
12/20

Historic Denver
And it could be torn down.
13/20

Historic Denver
Instead, the city refused to lift the landmark designation.
14/20

Historic Denver
Jan and Steve Davis bought the Bosler house, which has been restored...
15/20

Historic Denver
down to every detail.
16/20

Historic Denver
Now it's the centerpiece of the new Tilden School for Teaching Health Historic District.
17/20

Historic Denver
One of the school buildings, in its heyday.
18/20

Historic Denver
Buildings flanking the Bosler House are part of the historic district.
19/20

Historic Denver
Today, the house lives up to its landmark status.
20/20
Tilden School Becomes Denver's 56th Landmark District
Better late than never: The Tilden School campus, including three buildings overlooking Highland Park and Federal Boulevard that date back more than a century, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 7, 1995. On December 16, 2019, Denver City Council declared the entire complex a Denver landmark district.Dr. John Henry Tilden, an early practitioner of holistic medicine, founded the Tilden School in 1916 to advance his theories on health, diet and medical treatments that avoided drugs and surgery. The Tilden School was among the many sanatoriums and health facilities emerging in Denver during this era, as doctors from across the country recognized the benefits of Colorado’s climate and altitude. The Bosler House, a Victorian mansion that had already stood for close to thirty years, became the school headquarters, flanked by the primary facility next door at 3249 West Fairview Place and an apartment building for patients on the other side at 3279 Grove Street.
“These buildings tell a story about Denver and the people who came to our city seeking good health,” says Laura Aldrete, executive director of Community Planning and Development, in announcing the landmark approval. “By preserving them, we are not only protecting their architectural significance, but also keeping these interesting stories alive.”
The Tilden School for Teaching Health Historic District is the second landmark district approved by Denver City Council this year and Denver’s 56th overall. The Bosler House itself had been listed in 1984, but became so dilapidated under its last owner that it was in danger of disappearing; new owners took over in 2016 and restored the structure.
Better late than never: The Tilden School campus, including three buildings overlooking Highland Park and Federal Boulevard that date back more than a century, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 7, 1995. On December 16, 2019, Denver City Council declared the entire complex a Denver landmark district.
Dr. John Henry Tilden, an early practitioner of holistic medicine, founded the Tilden School in 1916 to advance his theories on health, diet and medical treatments that avoided drugs and surgery. The Tilden School was among the many sanatoriums and health facilities emerging in Denver during this era, as doctors from across the country recognized the benefits of Colorado’s climate and altitude. The Bosler House, a Victorian mansion that had already stood for close to thirty years, became the school headquarters, flanked by the primary facility next door at 3249 West Fairview Place and an apartment building for patients on the other side at 3279 Grove Street.
“These buildings tell a story about Denver and the people who came to our city seeking good health,” says Laura Aldrete, executive director of Community Planning and Development, in announcing the landmark approval. “By preserving them, we are not only protecting their architectural significance, but also keeping these interesting stories alive.”
The Tilden School for Teaching Health Historic District is the second landmark district approved by Denver City Council this year and Denver’s 56th overall. The Bosler House itself had been listed in 1984, but became so dilapidated under its last owner that it was in danger of disappearing; new owners took over in 2016 and restored the structure.
Related Stories
-
Historic Denver Made History in 2019, Ending With the Tom's...December 31 at 6:15 a.m. | by Patricia Calhoun
-
Tilden Health School Saga Teaches a Lesson in Historic...December 31 at 6:38 a.m. | by Patricia Calhoun
-
Four Historic Sites Join Colorado's Endangered Places ListJanuary 31 at 7:11 a.m. | by Westword Staff
Comments
View All
More Slideshows
-
The Colorado Rockies Are Back at Coors FieldApril 3 at 6:48 a.m.
-
Vice President Kamala Harris Visited Denver March 16March 16 at 6:22 p.m.
-
Snow Hits the Front Range, Late but as Heavy as PredictedMarch 14 at 3:06 p.m.
-
Pot Paints the Town: Dispensary Murals in the Mile HighMarch 10 at 3:50 p.m.
-
Protesters March Through Downtown Denver on Inauguration DayJanuary 21 at 10:52 a.m.
-
Impeach Trump Rally Draws Nearly 100 Cars to South HighJanuary 10 at 8:47 p.m.