FORT LOGAN FIELD OFFICER’S QUARTERS: 2019 SELF-GUIDED TOUR
Built in 1889, this single-family residence a three-story, nine-bedroom and three-bathroom house designed for occupancy by an Army field officer (rank of major or above). This house, as were most of the other buildings around the 32-acre parade ground was designed in a modified Queen Anne style by Army Architect Frank J. Grodavent. His plans also were used at West Point in 1897, where the duplicate building still servers as faculty housing. Fort Logan’s visual cohesiveness is largely due to the unusual circumstance of a single architect (Grodavent) being hired by the Army to design and build the group structures. Frank Grodavent, one of the first licensed architects in Colorado and certainly one of the first AIA Fellows in the state, retired in 1926 from a 29-year career as an Army construction superintendent.
The Architect, builders and artisans who worked on Fort Logan likely were on site for several years in the early 1890’s. By the 1930’s, the fort’s buildings were close to 50 years old and needed attention. Troop labor uas used to “upgrade” them. Pale maple flooring was laid over the dark pine floors of this house’s main level. Door Frames and molding were replaced with simple “two by fours; kitchens and bathrooms were updated. Since 1995, the FRIENDS OF HISTORIC FORT LOGAN, have been reversing these so-called improvements, gradually returning the building to its 1890’s appearance. The Colorado Historical Fund and many others generously have supported these efforts with more than $350,000 to date.
**The RECPTION HALL’S hand-carved, quarter-sawn fireplace surround and stair railings were restored to their original golden oak beauty with donations. Fireplace tiles in this room and the Parlor are original to the house. Radiators throughout the house also are original, note the cupids and elaborate decorations on each. Electricity on most Army posts was not introduced until after the1900, so the lighting was originally oil lamps, similar in design to those on the first floor. The building’s window pane arrangement is unusual-six panes above and two below. Note that much of the window glass is original, as its “wavy” appearance indicates.
**The FRONT PARLOR is decorated in period style wallpaper chosen from this building from designs that would have been for sale in Denver in 1889. Colonel Merriam, whose portrait hangs above the fireplace, was the first commander of Fort Logan between 1889 and 1897. He was from a lumbering family in Maine and was a skilled woodworker; as evidenced by the inlaid wood table crafted by him and on display in this room. The 1890 pump organ was donated, and it is played and enjoyed when we sing Carols at our Christmas party. The display case across the room holds a rotating exhibit which currently is wedding dress and soldiers uniform.
**The DINING ROOM is separated from the Parlor by eight-foot pocket doors with original hardwood. The house was initially heated by a coal burning furnace but later changed to steam heat. The radiator on the back wall also served as a warming oven for food. The beautiful buffet hutch was donated and is still a work in progress. The silver set is on loan to the museum. The one of the large display cases opposite the buffet house the WW I uniform of Pvt. Frank Gill of Denver. His son, Frank Gill Jr. a navy veteran of WW II donated items. The large, framed picture on the wall, beside the cases are post cards his father sent home from France showing scenes of before the war, and after the war “to end all wars”. Check out the other display case with the bear skin coat that was worn by sentries when doing guard duty.
**THE KITCHEN sink is original to the house. The period stove was purchased and restored by the FRIENDS OF HISTORICK FORT LOGAN. Displays here include typical household items of the 1890’s such as the coal bucket, butter churn, pots and pans, and the child’s highchair of the period. The old-fashioned ice box was donated and depending upon where your lived, they were used through the 1960’s in some parts of the country.
**Along the HALLWAY, hangs the “Timelines” of Fort Logan, beginning in 1890 to 1960s. The back stairs probably were used by the servants, and were very narrow, steep and dangerous to navigate with long heavy skirts. The front stairs were used by the family and were wide and more gradual, and certainly safer and better adapted to accommodate the ladies’ wide skirts of the era.
**The SMOKING ROOM OR OFFICE (we call it the saddle room,) might have served as a place for men to gather. Men and women would have separated after a dinner, men to smoke and women to have tea in the Parlor. Note the exterior door that soldiers visiting the field officer would enter in so as not to disturb the family. As a reminder that the first cavalry troops arrived at Fort Logan in 1894, the horse saddle displayed to the left of the fireplace is known as a McClellan saddle, designed by famous Civil War general. It is one of the most common Army saddles of this period. On the right is a remount saddle, usually used for mules. Note the transition from mules and horses to trucks in the phots from the early 20th century. A special camera took the long photographs of troops. The case with the Army Officer’s jacket is from WW II as are other items. Over the fireplace is an aerial photo of the Fort comparing 1949 and 20009. Note the development around the fort.
**The main-floor BATHROOM shows the earliest type of flooring in the building- local pine. The room features an original sink and a reproduction overhead tank water closet, and an 1890s donated bathroom cabinet.
**The second-floor BEDROOM (we call the Ladies Room) at the top of the stairs to the left is an unusual shape- a reminder of the Queen Anne design. Its pine floors, trim and door were refinished in 2010 with assistance from an estate bequest. Our beautiful “fainting couch” is another donation and these pieces were found in many ladies’ dressing rooms. The wedding dress, another donation, gives us a good idea of fashions of the time. The New Home sewing machine was very popular, and most homes had them, note that you had a treadle as there was no electricity at the time. The large wardrobe was their closet and could hold clothes, blankets and storage items.
**The LIBRARY/CONFERENCE ROOM is next door with a beautiful donated Oriental rug. The lawyers’ bookcases are full of historic books of the old West. One of the cabinets is from Fort Logan hospital, and has US stamped on all four sections, and was used for medicine, instruments, dressings and other hospital equipment. The conference was bought with donations specifically set aside for this purchase. The room is still a work in progress and is open to people to do research on our open house days.
**The MIDDLE ROOM houses the two largest displays, the Santiago Balloon and Hangar and the 3500 military patches. The balloon was constructed here by Ivy Baldwin and sent to Cuba during the Spanish American War. It provided much needed information to the Army but was shot down the second day of the war, because the General in the balloon wanted a closer look at the enemy troops on the ground. The second display shows 3500 patches representing all branches of the services in WW II and then was donated to us.
** The POST CARDS along the upstairs hall are antique pictures of Colorado and Denver of the “good old days”, collected from our archives and framed for display.
**The second floor BATHROOM sink and footed tub are original to the house. The oak dresser is typical of the era.
**The CHILDS ROOM is set up as a child’s room would have been during the time period. Notice how small the beds are.
Exterior: On the Front Porch, recent paint helps to preserve the old wood of the railings and posts. Many porch bricks are sadly weathered, though. The front porch design is not original, having been “updated” during the changes of the 1930s. Fort Logan’s original wood porches were all redesigned except for the porch on the Commanding Officer’s Quarters, the building immediately to the west. The duplex just to the east was occupied by Captain and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1924-1925 when he was stationed at Fort Logan on recruiting duty. It is now the headquarters of the University of Colorado’s ARTS programs.
Enjoy the swing and when open there is other seating on the porch.