Scotland, Colorado-Style
Long-time Denver entrepreneur Charles Johnson and his wife, Alice, intended to build a modest getaway on their piece of heaven. Perhaps in homage to the magnificent expanse of land before them or because of their affinity for Scottish architecture, plans grew. Ultimately, a prominent Denver architect designed this iconic home to ramble over 26 rooms and more than 10,000 square feet. During the early 1900s, the Johnsons set a precedent for entertaining and merrymaking in the castle on the hill.
In 1954, the property was purchased by philanthropist, art collector and all-around prominent citizen Tweet Kimball. The consummate hostess, Tweet welcomed royalty, politicians, socialites and entertainers to her legendary dinner parties. She also amassed a diverse collection of art and antiques over eight generations of the Kimball family, as well as 14,000 books representing important literature. Read more about this history of this special place.
A Never-Ending Legacy
As much as Tweet Kimball loved the castle and entertaining, she adored the land more, acquiring many neighboring properties. Upon her death in 1999, she willed her beloved summer pasture to residential development and the remaining acres to the Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation.
Today the wild inhabitants of the area – and those who gaze upon them – can wander more than 16,000 acres of wide-open spaces. A reverence for the land is also evident at The Keep: a portion of the sale of every residential property goes to the Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation to assure its operations in perpetuity. In exchange, homeowners enjoy special access to the castle and preservation of the land.
A Castle For the Ages
Today Cherokee Castle is home to music and theater performances, high teas, family gatherings and tours for all interested in history and art. Read more about the castle’s events.
