Carlton House

 house, mansion / manor house / villa, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, historic district, 1930s construction, Mission Revival (architecture)

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Historic house listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as a historic district.

Built: 1930-1937
Architect: Richard S. Requa (San Diego, CA)
Architectural style: Mission Revival
Areas of significance: Architecture
Area: 25.9 acres
Outbuildings:
- tea house
- 2 guest houses
- garage
- auxiliary kitchen
- pool house & bath house
- 2 stables
Date added to NRHP: 11/3/1989
Other designations: listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties

Albert Carlton (1865-1931) worked as a clerk in a Colorado Springs dry goods store when the Cripple Creek gold boom started in 1891. To provide support for gold mining operations, Carlton and his brother, Leslie, started a freight hauling business named the Colorado Trading and Transfer Company. They eventually gained control of much of the freight business serving mining communities. The Carlton's initial wealth came from this company. The newfound money was used to purchase banks, mining property and major interest in local railroads. The mining operations were very profitable, including the Cresson Mine, one of the most profitable in Cripple Creek. Albert Carlton became known as the "King of Cripple Creek." Although there are good examples of Mission Revival architecture in Colorado, there are very few authentic and intact examples of the Southern California variety of the style in the state, so most of the property's historic value stems from its architectural significance.