With historic Highlands Ranch site comes haunted lore
The Highlands Ranch Metro District Board of Directors recently voted to pursue ownership of the Highlands Ranch Mansion, a historic estate that housed some of the area's first settlers.
The metro district will negotiate with Shea Homes to acquire the mansion, with plans to renovate and operate it for the benefit of the community, said Tom Hoby, director of parks, recreation and open space.
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The decision follows a year-long effort to gather feedback from residents on ownership of the mansion and how it should be operated. According to a citizen survey conducted by the metro district, 88 percent of respondents support the district owning the mansion.
Negotiations are expected to be completed by March.
"It is the jewel in the crown of Highlands Ranch," said Caroline Smith, president of the Highlands Ranch Historical Society. "I'm delighted the metro district stepped forward to take it on."
Smith said the 22,000-square-foot mansion was home to various families throughout the early days of Highlands Ranch. It was built in 1891 by John W. Springer to reflect the style of a Russian castle.
Like many structures rich in history, the mansion has its own tales of ghostly lore. Smith said the ghost of Julia Kistler is rumored to haunt the halls of the mansion.
Julia was the daughter of Frank E. Kistler, who purchased the mansion in 1926. When Kistler divorced his first wife, she moved out with all the children except Julia, whose adoration of her father prompted her to stay behind.
Kistler remarried shortly thereafter and the story goes that he did not return his daughter's devotion and she spent many days weeping in her bedroom. The sobs of her ghost are said to echo through the mansion's halls today.
Although she has never seen the ghost herself, Smith said people have reported seeing a girl peer out of the mansion's windows when there was no one inside. Another story is that a group of visitors were startled to hear an ancient grandfather clock chime midnight.
"They were just kind of astonished, because the clock does not work," Smith said.
Smith and other historical society members lead tours of the mansion during community celebrations such as Highlands Ranch Days. On one such occasion, Smith was standing in the ballroom by herself after finishing up a presentation and smelled a strong fragrance of roses, even though all the windows were tightly shut.
"I just said to myself, 'Oh, you've been here too long,'" she said.
But later, a teacher came up to her and commented what a nice touch it was to have the rose scent in the room.
"It just sent little chills down my back!" Smith recalled. "I believe that it was Julia, and it was her way of telling me she she was happy to have children in the house."
Ghost or no, Smith said she thinks it is important to have younger generations experience the mansion.
"I want young people to feel at home there," she said, "so when they grow up, they will have fond memories and want to protect it."
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Erin Feese: 303-954-2953 or feesee@yourhub.com
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