You’ve probably seen it. If you’ve ever wandered through Denver’s Potter-Highland neighborhood, that massive, red-brick Queen Anne mansion with the towering turret usually stops people in their tracks. It’s the Lumber Baron Inn & Gardens Denver, and honestly, it’s one of the weirdest, most beautiful, and genuinely tragic spots in the city.
It’s a place where you can get a killer brunch one morning and then realize you might be standing in the exact spot where an unsolved double murder happened fifty years ago.
That’s Denver for you.
Who Was the Actual Lumber Baron?
Back in 1890, John Mouat was the man. He was a Scottish immigrant who struck it big in the lumber business. When you’re the guy who owns the wood, you don't build a basic house. You build a resume in the form of a mansion.
Mouat poured everything into this 8,500-square-foot beast. He used cherry, oak, walnut, sycamore, and maple—basically every high-end wood he could get his hands on—to show off what his company could do. He lived there with his wife, Amelia, and their five kids. But the "Baron" era didn’t last forever. The Silver Crash of 1893 hit Denver like a freight train, and Mouat lost his fortune.
He had to move out.
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The house then went through a series of "lives." It was a single-family home, then it was subdivided. During World War II, it was hacked up into 23 tiny apartments. Imagine that—one grand mansion squeezed into nearly two dozen units. It was a tenement. By the 1970s, the place was crumbling.
The Dark Side: The 1970 Murders
If you're into true crime, you already know why this house is "famous" beyond the architecture. In October 1970, two teenagers, Cara Lee Knoche and Marianne Weaver, were murdered inside the mansion.
It’s a heavy story. Cara was 17 and living in one of those cramped apartments. She was actually planning to move back home with her parents just days later to finish school. Marianne, her 18-year-old friend, had just stopped by to visit.
They were found on October 13. Cara had been strangled. Marianne had been shot. The case? Never solved.
To this day, people talk about the "Valentine Suite"—which is the room where it happened. Some guests claim they hear whispers or feel a sudden, localized chill. The current owners, Joel and Elaine Bryant, are pretty open about the spirits. They don't treat it like a cheesy haunted house. They just sort of coexist with the history. Elaine even does Lenormand card readings at the inn, leaning into that spiritualist vibe.
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Saving a Wreck
By 1991, the city of Denver had basically given up on the place. It was condemned. It was a wreck.
Enter Walter and Julie Keller. They bought the mansion for $80,000, which sounds like a steal until you realize the place was literally falling apart. They spent years (and way more than $80k) restoring it. They stripped layers of paint to find original woodwork and uncovered stained glass that had been boarded up for decades.
In 2016, the Bryants bought it for $1.7 million.
As of early 2026, the mansion is actually back on the market. It’s listed for a cool $3.2 million. Being a "steward of history" isn't cheap, but for whoever buys it next, they’re getting a piece of Denver that can’t be replicated.
What It’s Like There Now
If you aren't there for the ghosts, you're probably there for the food or a wedding. The gardens are legit. In the summer, the rose bushes and greenery make you forget you're just a few minutes from the chaos of downtown Denver.
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The ballroom on the third floor is the centerpiece. It has a 20-foot pyramid ceiling and a maple floor that was designed for dancing back when people actually knew how to waltz.
- The Food: They are famous for their afternoon tea and Sunday brunch.
- The Rooms: There are five suites on the second floor. Each one is named and themed, often featuring massive Jacuzzi tubs and Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper.
- The Turret: You can actually go up into the turret. The views of the Denver skyline from there are incredible, especially at sunset.
One thing to keep in mind: it’s an old house. No elevators. If you have mobility issues, those stairs to the third-floor ballroom are a workout.
Is It Worth a Visit?
Kinda depends on what you're after. If you want a sterile, modern hotel with a gym and a pod coffee maker, this isn't it. But if you want a place that feels like it’s breathing, the Lumber Baron is the spot.
You’re in the Potter-Highland district, which is one of the coolest parts of the Northside. You can walk to places like Lechuga’s (get a cannoli) or the restaurants on 32nd Ave.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit:
- Book the Valentine Suite if you’re brave or a paranormal buff. It’s beautiful, but it carries the heaviest history.
- Check the Calendar: They do themed events like Titanic dinners (recreating the last meal on the ship) and murder mystery nights. They sell out fast.
- Contact in Advance: Since it's a small B&B, the front desk isn't 24/7. If you're arriving late, you have to coordinate that at least 24 hours ahead of time.
- Skip the Kids: They generally don't allow children under 3. It's more of a "romantic getaway" or "history nerd" vibe than a family vacation spot.
The Lumber Baron Inn & Gardens Denver isn't just a building; it’s a survivor. From 1890s opulence to a 1970s crime scene to a restored 2026 landmark, it has seen the absolute best and worst of Denver.
Go for the tea, stay for the architecture, and maybe keep an ear out for those phantom footsteps on the stairs. They’re just part of the furniture at this point.