Throughout our long history, The Argyle has stayed true to our goal of encouraging dignity through human contact, care, and nurturing. This wouldn’t be possible without a dedicated team of staff, board members, volunteers, and partners.
We believe in encouraging independence and preserving the dignity of residents through human contact, care, and nurturing. Integrity in staffing is an important value in our community, and The Argyle’s caring staff understand the many challenges of aging. They are always available to assist when needed, but we also work to empower every resident to live their happiest, most fulfilled life.
The Argyle’s History
In 1874, a group of local philanthropists decided to create an inclusive retirement community that felt like home, regardless of financial circumstance. Our original philosophy was that those who could financially afford to pay for care did, and those who were not financially able were taken care of without charge. In that spirit, The Old Ladies Home opened its doors to elderly women in downtown Denver in 1875.
By 1900, we had relocated to our current location in the Berkeley/Highlands neighborhood, a vibrant community that is well-loved by residents and their families alike. The new neighborhood inspired a name change, and ‘The Argyle’ was chosen to honor this historical part of Denver.
In 1988, the original building was demolished. In 1990, a new building was constructed to enhance the quality of our building while providing more rooms for residents. Even in the face of renovations, we made sure to preserve our roots. The historic front facade was saved, returning the building to its original design, and more than 200 pieces of furniture and artwork were restored. Our residents don’t want to live in a sterile environment without personality, and it’s this attention to detail that gives The Argyle it’s homey, inviting ambiance.
Throughout our long history, The Argyle has stayed true to our goal of encouraging dignity through human contact, care, and nurturing. This wouldn’t be possible without a dedicated team of staff, board members, volunteers, and partners.
We believe in encouraging independence and preserving the dignity of residents through human contact, care, and nurturing. Integrity in staffing is an important value in our community, and The Argyle’s caring staff understand the many challenges of aging. They are always available to assist when needed, but we also work to empower every resident to live their happiest, most fulfilled life.
The History of The Ladies Relief Society of Denver
Over 150 years ago, Mrs. Ann Figg and her friends began hosting events to raise funds for members of their local community who were in need. At that time, Denver had more than its share of homeless and destitute individuals, many of whom had traveled from the East in search of fortune, only to find hardship. These young women were members of Trinity Methodist Church, and they aspired to expand their charitable activities by involving the older members of the church. In 1874, they joined forces with Mrs. Vincent, who was already engaged in similar charitable work, and formally incorporated as The Ladies Relief Society of Denver. Their advisory board included some of the most prominent people in the community, such as Governor Evans, Mayor Barker, Hanna Kountze, Mr. Crow from the banking sector, and attorneys Mr. Belden, Mr. Nichols, and Mr. Charles.
The Ladies Relief Society of Denver sponsored various charitable endeavors, including a work program for men to exchange labor for sustenance, a nursery to provide day care for young children, and a home to care for elderly women, who often struggled to support themselves. The Society eventually focused its efforts on building a home for women, while the other initiatives were taken over by the broader community.
In 1876, a large building was erected at the corner of 8th and Logan to house and operate the Ladies Relief Society of Denver. Although functional, it was described as “the ugliest building in Denver” due to its institutional appearance, which marred the picturesque surroundings of millionaire John Campion’s nearby residence. Despite this, Campion, who was also a prominent organizer of the Natural History Museum, purchased the property with the intention of demolishing the building to improve the vista.
The first Ladies Relief Society Ball Carnival was held at the Tabor Grand Opera House in 1881, marking the Society’s growing influence in Denver’s social scene. Seeking a more suitable location and due to the sale of their property to Mr. Campion, the Society purchased a city block on Prospect Avenue (now 38th Avenue) between Raleigh and Quitman streets in 1897. The purchase price was $3,000. At that time, the Highlands, located and elevated on the west side of the Platte River, was developing as a desirable place to live, known for its clean air, lack of factories, and prohibition on liquor sales and houses of prostitution.
The Society hired architect Walter Rice to design a new home, drawing inspiration from colonial architecture he had admired in Mexico and Central America. In 1899, the new residence, named The Old Ladies Home, was completed. Years later, in 1987, the operating name was changed to The Argyle, in recognition of the area’s historical name, Argyle Park, reflecting the Scottish influence in the Highlands’ development.
By 1900, The Old Ladies Home housed 38 residents who could afford to live there, with boarders charged $12 per month. The average age of residents was 88 years old, and new members paid fees for lifetime care based on their age: $300, $400, or $500 for those aged 60, 70, or 80, respectively. The home was largely self-sufficient, with a vegetable garden, chickens, and pigs on the property. Fundraising efforts included auctions, such as one event where a cow was raffled off for 25 cents a ticket.
By 1912, The Ladies Relief Society had established itself as a prominent charitable organization in Denver, renowned throughout the U.S. Large teas and fundraising events were hosted and attended by Denver’s elite, sometimes featuring Shakespearean plays performed by local theater groups. By 1919, the Society had grown to over 300 members.
Throughout the years, various additions were made to the home. In 1906, Shleier donated funds for a parlor wing, and in 1910, William Chever bequeathed $25,000 to the Society in memory of his brother, a wealthy Colorado pioneer. In 1919, a hospital wing was dedicated to Emeroy S. Sweet, mother of Governor William Ellery Sweet. Significant donations also came from Mr. and Mrs. Channing and Governor Sweet, as well as the Hunter Trust established by Absolem V. Hunter, a key figure in the mining and banking industries. In 1978, the Society received $125,000 from the Floto Estate, and $25,000 from the estate of Mrs. Beatrice Trufford.
In 1981, the architects Abo-Gude designed a 50-unit apartment building sponsored by HUD, providing independent living units for low-income elderly residents. By 1988, it was determined that the original building needed to be replaced to meet modern standards of care. Architect Alan Ziegel was chosen to oversee the project, which preserved the original south façade and key architectural elements like columns, bay windows, and the ornate entryway. The new building, opened in 1990, featured private rooms for 109 assisted living residents and initially included a nursing wing, which was later converted entirely to assisted living thus providing a total of 137 private rooms. At this time, men were also welcomed as residents.
In 2020, the global pandemic brought new challenges, prompting The Ladies Relief Society to embark on a mission to rejuvenate The Argyle, with a vision of preserving its historic legacy while addressing the needs of future generations. In partnership with the design firm Greenwood and Black and the construction company Pinkard, a comprehensive renovation was undertaken from March 2023 to January 2024. This transformation blended The Argyle’s timeless charm with modern sophistication, creating an inspiring space that honors tradition while meeting contemporary standards.
Today, The Argyle stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of The Ladies Relief Society of Denver—a vibrant community committed to providing compassionate care and support to those in need, as it has for over 150 years.
