Historic Downtown Erie, Colorado Preview

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McKenna / Heaton House - 404 Holbrook St. - Late Victorian / Queen Anne - 1891

This was the home of mine-owner and superintendent Felix P. McKenna and his family. In 1903, he had an untimely death in a Wyoming mine disaster. The house is a well-preserved example of the more substantial and decorative homes that the owners and managers of coal mines during the period when coal dominated life in Erie.

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Vaughn / Hunter House - 405 Holbrook St. - Late Victorian / Italianate - 1892

This building is representative of late 19th century architecture in Erie and reflects late Victorian Italianate details. This home is an example of typical early domestic housing for coal mining families. The house is associated with members of the Enoch Vaughn family (coal miners) during its early years and later with Thomas B. Hunter who was a prominent merchant in Erie.

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Williams / Bixler / McDonald House - 485 Holbrook St. - Late Victorian - 1884

The first owner of the house was John T. Williams, who operated an early general store and a drug store in town. He was also on the first Board of Trustees and served as its second President. From 1909 to 1937, this was the home of the Dr. Clarence W. Bixler family. Dr. Bixler was a noted physician in the area who treated many coal miners. He was the first physician to bring penicillin and insulin to the Boulder Valley. He also served as president of the Erie Bank.

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Elzi House - 504 Holbrook St. - Bungalow - 1930

This house is important to the history of Erie for its association with legendary pharmacist, mayor, and banker, Charles J. Elzi. Elzi and his wife built the house and lived in it until 1972. He served as Erie’s mayor from 1940-1942 and again from 1944-1946. Elzi is recalled by many older residents of the town as a pharmacist who helped them with medical problems.

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Lawley / Milanovich / Johnson House - 575 Holbrook St. - Late Victorian - 1880's

This house is representative of Late Victorian domestic design and was associated with coal mining families for many years. The Robert and Martha Lawley family lived here beginning about 1884. Mr. Lawley was born in England and came to Erie in 1871.Sam Milanovich was born in Yugoslavia and worked as a coal miner. He lived in the home for more than two decades after the Lawleys.

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Lincoln School - 645 Holbrook St. - Early 20th Century Classical - 1906 & 1920

Public education has always been important to the residents of Erie. The first school opened in 1874, serving just 30 students. A larger school was opened in 1884 on the southeast corner of Briggs and Wells streets.In 1906 the Lincoln School opened and served students until 1966. The Lincoln School is significant for its role in public education and for its architectural features which reflect the characteristic elements of early 20th century schools. The building was used as a school until 1966. The Lincoln School is currently Erie’s Town Hall and is on the National Historic Registry.

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Erie United Methodist Church - 604 Holbrook St. - Late Victorian / Gothic Revival - 1888

The Erie United Methodist Church was the first building in the Town erected to be used specifically as a church. It served the community in the early days when most local residents were affiliated with coal mining. It continued to serve the religious needs of the community as new ethnic groups arrived and coal mining experienced periods of labor unrest, boom, depression, and decline. The building was built by local carpenter James L. Wilson. Rev. Richard J. Van Valkenburg founded the congregation.

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Richards / Wilson House - 664 Holbrook St. - No Style - 1885

This house is associated with several generations of the Richards-Wilson family. The original owner, Thomas Richards, came to Erie as a miner but quickly established one of the town's most successful early business careers. In 1880, Richards opened a grocery store in Erie and later operated a profitable mercantile firm in a false front building. In 1890, he replaced it with a large two-story brick building.

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Wilson House - 724 Holbrook St. - Late Victorian - 1887

This house is associated with the Wilson family of Erie. It was built by its first owner James L. Wilson who lived here with his wife, Charlotte, and their children. The children later inherited it. Wilson was an Erie pioneer and a carpenter who built many houses and other buildings in Erie beginning in the 1880s. He also served as Mayor and Justice of the Peace and established a volunteer hose company in Erie.