685 Emerson St

Denver, CO

The Harry C. James Residence, located at 685 N Emerson Street in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 15, recognizing both its architectural and cultural significance. Built in 1900 during the rise of Denver’s City Beautiful movement, the home is a rare and well-preserved example of Italian Renaissance residential architecture—featuring hallmark details like a low-pitched hip roof, arched first-story windows, and an asymmetrical layout. Designed by prominent architect George Louis Bettcher, it stands out among early 20th-century Denver homes, especially as a corner-lot estate in the East Seventh Avenue Historic District. Beyond its architectural importance, the home holds deep personal and cultural value as the longtime residence of Dana Crawford, a pioneering preservationist who helped transform and protect Denver’s historic core, including Larimer Square. Dana and her husband, John W.R. Crawford III, raised their four sons here beginning in 1967, and the home remained a center of family life and community legacy. Thanks to Dana’s decades of care, the property retains a high degree of historic integrity and now stands as a tribute not only to early Denver elegance but also to one of the city's most influential preservation advocates.