The Patterson Inn

In 1892, this historic mansion was commissioned by Thomas B Croke. He was a merchant turned senator in Denver. His dream house was built to resemble the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau a 16th century castle. Red sandstone hauled in from Colorado Springs was the material of choice. Contractor J.M. Cochran and Isaac Hodgson, a notable architect who built in the Chateauesque style, were hired for the project.

On the grounds are the house and a stable (a miniature of the main house). Turrets, spires, finials, dormers, bay windows and arched doorways are featured on the facade. The house interior comprises of three stories and a basement. Rooms are adorned with stone and oak. In the basement is a great ballroom.

After living in the house only six months, Croke transferred the deed to Thomas Patterson. Patterson is another prominent statesmen of Denver. The house stayed in the Patterson family. It was inherited by his daughter Margaret and her husband Richard Campbell. In 1927 after Richard Campbell past, the house was sold and shortly served as the Joe Mann Orchestra School. Afterwards it became the KFVR radio station. Over the next two decades it changed hands several times and was reconstructed into apartments.

In 1973, a nearby Moffat Mansion was demolished. So realtor Mary Rae determined to keep it standing, purchased the Croke-Patterson Mansion. She and her husband succeeded in getting it on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.

In 2011 Brian Higgins bought the mansion. His goal was to convert it into the bed and breakfast it is today. There were rumors that the mansion was haunted. So, he produced a documentary titled “The Castle Project” detailing the renovations.

“As they knocked down walls, workers uncovered a variety of artifacts dating back to the late nineteenth century, including old newspapers, children’s clothing, and eyeglasses. But they also might have turned up more than just artifacts; during renovations, Higgins and the work crew reported seeing ghostly figures of children, hearing strange voices, and feeling unexplained changes in temperatures.” 

Zimmer, Amy. Croke-Patterson-Campbell Mansion, Colorado Encyclcopedia. Accessed June 9th 2020. https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/croke-patterson-campbell-mansion.