Kentucky Circle Village History    

The Dream

Some 49 years ago or more, a former pastor of First Plymouth Church, Raymond Waser, pioneered in an attempt to establish a home for elderly people who were able to care for themselves but did not wish to live alone. While his attempt was not successful, it at least sowed the seed for further efforts along that line.

Byron Johnson, later a United States Representative to Congress from Colorado, but at that time Professor of Economics at the University of Denver, had the foresight to see the need of and perseverance to push ahead a project to establish an organization designed to meet the needs of many people in his own church and later to include those of other churches.

Mrs. Evelyn White, First Plymouth church visitor, was a staunch supporter of this plan
and both by word and deed worked unstintingly to put it over. Miss Helen Cromwell and Miss Evelyn Knight were also active and their names were on the first committee. Later on Charles Willis gave much of his time and talents to establishing our present set-up. Many meetings were held with those who, while not intending to live there themselves, were interested in doing all they could to put over the project for those who did want and need such a place in which to establish themselves before old age and a solitary life overtook them.

Finally a plan was presented by Byron Johnson to raise the money. First it was decided to start proceedings to obtain a Federal Housing Administration loan but, if that was to be obtained, each participating church must raise $25,000 by contributions and the buying of $600 debentures and gifts to satisfy F.H.A. This included United Presbyterian, St. John's Episcopal Church, Montview Boulevard Presbyterian, Central Christian, Rocky Mountain Baptist Association and First Plymouth Congregational. The amount of $100,000 was raised and negotiations began for the F.H.A. loan.

Looking For A Home

This loan, after many requirements, was finally granted and now the problem was where to build to meet the needs of the organization and the requirements of the Federal Housing Administration. This took a long time and many despaired of ever finding the place and being allowed to use it for such a project. The first selected location was north-east of Cheeseman Park on land owned by the City and County of Denver. The application for the right to obtain this land was turned down by City Council, influenced by certain citizens of that neighborhood because of fear that the erection of homes for aging people might cause depreciation of value of their property. A new location was sought at 38 Ave. & Dahlia. This also was a disappointment and there was nothing to do but try again. The same reason was given, depreciation of value of surrounding property. The next try was a location in an area called Harvey Park southwest of Denver, near Loretta Heights. Again some of the residents of that area petitioned City Council not to change the zoning to allow such a housing unit to be erected there.

Success At Last

Not too long after this third “turn-down” the present area was found to be available. At that time the area was not in the County of Denver and the City Council was not invoked.

On July 22, 1958 ground was broken and Senior Homes was on its way to begin building the units which were completed and fully occupied in 1960.