Jarvis Hall (Colorado) facts for kids
Jarvis Hall was an important school in Colorado that taught different subjects like liberal arts, grammar, and military skills. It was open from 1870 to 1904. Bishop George Maxwell Randall of the Protestant Episcopal Church started the idea for the school in 1868. It was named after a kind person who gave money to the school, George A. Jarvis.
Jarvis Hall had two main locations during its history. The building used from 1878 to 1882 in Golden, Colorado, is now a private home. The later site, used from 1882 to 1904 near Denver, is now part of the Lowry Campus.
Jarvis Hall's Early Years in Golden
The first building for Jarvis Hall was being built in Golden, Colorado. Sadly, a strong windstorm blew it down in 1869. The land for the school was given by C. C. Welch. George A. Jarvis then gave money to build a second Jarvis Hall. This new building was officially opened in October 1870. It was the very first college-level school in the Colorado Territory.
Two other buildings were added nearby, forming what was called the Colorado University Schools. The Colorado School of Mines and St. Matthew's Divinity School (a religious school) were next to Jarvis Hall. George A. Jarvis also donated many books for the Jarvis Hall Library. He even funded special awards given to students at the end of each school year. For example, in July 1873, three students won sets of books like History of Rome and Library of Wonders.
Challenges and Changes in Golden
Some famous students, like Francis William Loveland and architect James H. Gow, attended Jarvis Hall. On April 4, 1878, a fire started by a faulty chimney burned Jarvis Hall down. Just four days later, another school nearby, Matthews Hall, was also set on fire.
After these events, Professor Thomas Lloyd Bellam decided to combine the two schools. Jarvis Hall temporarily moved to the Loveland Block in downtown Golden. Before the end of 1878, Professor Bellam helped fund a new Jarvis Hall building. This building is still standing today at 921 19th Street in Golden. This new Jarvis Hall was a school for both liberal arts and business, and it was open to women students.
Moving to Denver
In 1882, members of the Episcopal Church in Denver successfully moved Jarvis Hall closer to their city. There, it became a boys' school again. This new school, called the Jarvis Hall Military School, was located in Montclair, Colorado.
Sadly, the Jarvis Hall Military School building burned down in 1904. The land where it stood was later used as a military airfield. This airfield became Lowry Air Force Base during World War II. It continued to be a military base until the 1990s, when it closed and was redeveloped for other uses.
