The Original Eight CU Faculty Founding Homeowners
Dissatisfied with available housing options for CU faculty, Professor Henry Weihofen was urged by University of Colorado regent, Dr. Valentine Fischer, to find a solution to this persistent problem. Weihofen and Fischer gathered together a group of seven junior faculty members - each facing similar housing challenges. Following a series of meetings, the eight families pooled their resources and purchased the city block between 15th and 16th Streets and Mariposa and Bluebell Avenues with the intention of constructing eight modest residences within walking distance to the university.
Below are short biographical sketches for each of the original eight University of Colorado faculty members.
Dissatisfied with available housing options for CU faculty, Professor Henry Weihofen was urged by University of Colorado regent, Dr. Valentine Fischer, to find a solution to this persistent problem. Weihofen and Fischer gathered together a group of seven junior faculty members - each facing similar housing challenges. Following a series of meetings, the eight families pooled their resources and purchased the city block between 15th and 16th Streets and Mariposa and Bluebell Avenues with the intention of constructing eight modest residences within walking distance to the university.
Below are short biographical sketches for each of the original eight University of Colorado faculty members.
Credit: Carnegie Branch for Local History
James G. Allen
Professor James G. Allen was born on November 6, 1900 in Greensfield, Tennessee. He earned a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis, an M.A and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.B.A. from Harvard University. He joined the faculty at the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1934, became a full professor in 1945, served as History Department Chair for several years and was granted the title of Professor emeritus upon retirement. Dr. Allen was an authority on the early space age as well as a scholar of European history. Allen broadcast metro-area radio commentaries during the World War II years which focused on military campaigns and political events in Europe.
James and Marie Allen owned the home located at 1510 Mariposa Avenue.
Credit: Carnegie Branch for Local History
Morris Garnsey
Morris Garnsey was born in 1906 and attended several colleges and universities, including Drury College, Clark University, the University of Paris, the University of Louvain, and Harvard University. He joined the faculty at the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1937, where he taught economics courses and served as Department Chair for several years. Professor Gransey retired in 1971 after teaching at the university for over thirty-four years. Upon retirement, he was granted the honorary title of Professor emeritus.
Morris and Colleen Garnsey owned the home located at 1505 Bluebell Street.
Morris Garnsey was born in 1906 and attended several colleges and universities, including Drury College, Clark University, the University of Paris, the University of Louvain, and Harvard University. He joined the faculty at the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1937, where he taught economics courses and served as Department Chair for several years. Professor Gransey retired in 1971 after teaching at the university for over thirty-four years. Upon retirement, he was granted the honorary title of Professor emeritus.
Morris and Colleen Garnsey owned the home located at 1505 Bluebell Street.
Credit: Carnegie Branch for Local History
Francis J. Geck
An expert in Italian art history, Francis J. Geck taught interior design and art history at CU from 1930-1969. Geck received a diploma from the Paris Atelier of the New York School of Fine and Applied Arts (now Parsons School of Design) and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University. Geck published several bibliographies covering various periods of Italian art, was very involved and served on numerous boards of local museums and galleries, and was an active member of the Boulder Historical Society. Upon retirement, Professor emeritus Geck donated items from his art and furniture collection to CU - some of these pieces are still displayed in the of Old Main. Geck was the last of the original homeowners to move from the block and passed away in Detroit, Michigan at the age of 104.
Francis and Evelyn Geck owned the home located at 407 16th Street.
An expert in Italian art history, Francis J. Geck taught interior design and art history at CU from 1930-1969. Geck received a diploma from the Paris Atelier of the New York School of Fine and Applied Arts (now Parsons School of Design) and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University. Geck published several bibliographies covering various periods of Italian art, was very involved and served on numerous boards of local museums and galleries, and was an active member of the Boulder Historical Society. Upon retirement, Professor emeritus Geck donated items from his art and furniture collection to CU - some of these pieces are still displayed in the of Old Main. Geck was the last of the original homeowners to move from the block and passed away in Detroit, Michigan at the age of 104.
Francis and Evelyn Geck owned the home located at 407 16th Street.
Credit: Carnegie Branch for Local History
Elbert W. Harrington
Professor Elbert W. Harrington received his B.A. from Iowa State Teacher's College at Ceder Falls, Iowa and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. He taught courses in speech and communications at the University of Colorado, Boulder between 1937 and 1945. In 1945, Dr. Elbert W. Harrington left CU to become a professor at the University of South Dakota where he continued to teach for many years.
Elbert and Marjorie Harrington owned the home located at 1507 Bluebell Street.
Professor Elbert W. Harrington received his B.A. from Iowa State Teacher's College at Ceder Falls, Iowa and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. He taught courses in speech and communications at the University of Colorado, Boulder between 1937 and 1945. In 1945, Dr. Elbert W. Harrington left CU to become a professor at the University of South Dakota where he continued to teach for many years.
Elbert and Marjorie Harrington owned the home located at 1507 Bluebell Street.
Credit: Carnegie Branch for Local History
Norman Parker
Born in Salida, Colorado, Norman Parker received his B.S., M.S., and M.E. degrees from the University of Colorado, Boulder. After graduating in 1930, he served as an Instructor in CU's Department of Mechanical Engineering. He eventually rose to become Department Chairman. In 1946, Professor Parker left the University of Colorado, Boulder to become Professor and Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Illinois.
Norman and Geraldine Parker owned the home located at 1511 Bluebell Street.
Born in Salida, Colorado, Norman Parker received his B.S., M.S., and M.E. degrees from the University of Colorado, Boulder. After graduating in 1930, he served as an Instructor in CU's Department of Mechanical Engineering. He eventually rose to become Department Chairman. In 1946, Professor Parker left the University of Colorado, Boulder to become Professor and Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Illinois.
Norman and Geraldine Parker owned the home located at 1511 Bluebell Street.
Credit: Carnegie Branch for Local History
Earl Swisher
Earl Swisher was born in Lyons, Kansas on July 22, 1902, but grew up in Palisade, Colorado. He received his B.A. from the University of Colorado and after graduation moved to China where he taught for four years at Ling-nan University. Upon returning to Colorado, he completed an M.A. degree at CU. From 1931-1934 Swisher was a Harvard Teaching Fellow and in 1935 was hired to develop an Asian Studies program at CU. He remained a member of the faculty until his retirement in 1971. Swisher was granted the title Professor emeritus of Chinese and Far Eastern History.
Earl and Lois Swisher owned the home located at 1512 Mariposa Avenue.
Earl Swisher was born in Lyons, Kansas on July 22, 1902, but grew up in Palisade, Colorado. He received his B.A. from the University of Colorado and after graduation moved to China where he taught for four years at Ling-nan University. Upon returning to Colorado, he completed an M.A. degree at CU. From 1931-1934 Swisher was a Harvard Teaching Fellow and in 1935 was hired to develop an Asian Studies program at CU. He remained a member of the faculty until his retirement in 1971. Swisher was granted the title Professor emeritus of Chinese and Far Eastern History.
Earl and Lois Swisher owned the home located at 1512 Mariposa Avenue.
Credit: Carnegie Branch for Local History
Paul V. Thompson
Paul V. Thompson received his B.A. from Dartmouth College, an M.A. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University. In 1934 he began teaching English for Engineers at C.U. and from 1948 until 1960 served as that program's department chairman as well as chairman of CU's Integrated Studies Department. Professor Thompson retired from the University of Colorado in 1972 and was named Professor emeritus.
Paul and Dorothy Thompson owned the home located at 419 16th Street.
Paul V. Thompson received his B.A. from Dartmouth College, an M.A. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University. In 1934 he began teaching English for Engineers at C.U. and from 1948 until 1960 served as that program's department chairman as well as chairman of CU's Integrated Studies Department. Professor Thompson retired from the University of Colorado in 1972 and was named Professor emeritus.
Paul and Dorothy Thompson owned the home located at 419 16th Street.
Credit: Carnegie Branch for Local History
Henry Weihofen
A member of the University of Colorado Boulder Law Faculty from 1932 to 1941, Henry Weihofen received his law degree from the University of Chicago. After leaving his faculty position at CU (shortly after the establishment of the Floral Park block), he worked for the federal government, served on the board of Legal Examiners, the War Labor Board, and for the United States Department of Justice. Weihofen later returned to teaching and became a long-time member of the law faculty at the University of New Mexico.
Henry and Caroline Weihofen owned the home located at 1500 Mariposa Avenue.
A member of the University of Colorado Boulder Law Faculty from 1932 to 1941, Henry Weihofen received his law degree from the University of Chicago. After leaving his faculty position at CU (shortly after the establishment of the Floral Park block), he worked for the federal government, served on the board of Legal Examiners, the War Labor Board, and for the United States Department of Justice. Weihofen later returned to teaching and became a long-time member of the law faculty at the University of New Mexico.
Henry and Caroline Weihofen owned the home located at 1500 Mariposa Avenue.
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