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Built in 1883 by founding Rocky Mountain News publisher William Byers and sold in 1889 to the family of William Gray Evans an officer of the Denver Tramway Company, the Italianate Byers-Evans House is a testament to the growth of a new frontier city.
Using his position in the newspaper business, William Byers was an enthusiastic promoter of Denver as the leading city of the west. The Rocky Mountain News promoted Denver as the Queen City of the Rockies, imagined possibilities of an active river front on the South Platte, and championed the importance of irrigated agriculture. In 1859, Byers authored one of 17 guidebooks welcoming newcomers to Denver. He was also significant in forming the city's new Chamber of Commerce.
The house was later sold to the Evans family. William Evans was the son of Colorado territorial governor John Evans. With William Byers and others, father and son incorporated the Denver Tramway Company (DTC) in 1886. The DTC soon had a monopoly over Denver's streetcar service and became one of the City's biggest employers as well as an essential part of many people's lives. The Evans' added a two-story addition to the house in 1898, including a library and additional bathrooms and bedrooms.
Today, the Byers-Evans House is operated as a house museum by the Colorado Historical Society. It is richly filled with original Evans family furnishings and tells the story of Denver's early settlement, along with the stories of the Byers and Evans families. Exhibits are displayed in the servant's quarters and garage. Visitors can watch a short film about the careers of these two pioneer Denver families and the city they built.
Admission: Adults: $5.00Seniors (65+): $4.00Students with ID: $4.00Children (6-12): $3.00Children (under 6): FreeColorado Historical Society members: Free
FUN FACTS TO KNOW AND TELLWilliam Byers came from Ohio and helped to lay out Omaha, Nebraska before continuing west, riding the gold rush to Denver's Cherry Creek in 1859.
The Rocky Mountain News published Denver's first newspaper on April 23, 1859.
Byers is among the famous Denverites buried in Fairmount Cemetery.
William Evans' father, John Evans was dismissed from his territorial governor position for his role in the Sand Creek Massacre.
Anne Evans, sister of William, was instrumental in founding the Denver Art Museum, which is adjacent to the Byers-Evans House.
OTHER PLACES TO VISITMolly Brown House Vance Kirkland MuseumBlack America West Museum Four Mile Historic Park
BEST TIMES TO VISITOpen daily 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.Closed MondaysDaily guided tours at approximately 11:00 a.m.12:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m.
BYWAYSCherry Creek Bike Trail Denver Story Trek
OTHER WEBSITEShttp://www.denver.org/
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