A Glenwood Springs citizen group is in the process of trying to rescue, relocate and repurpose a unique piece of the region’s history — the ornate early 20th century greenhouse that once adorned the front lawn at the Redstone Castle.
The nearly 122-year-old greenhouse for the past eight decades has resided in West Glenwood where it served as a growing facility at the Glenwood Gardens nursery, operated by the Nieman family.
That property is now slated to be developed as the Canyon Vista affordable housing project, in which the City of Glenwood Springs is heavily invested.
The greenhouse structure, with its signature pagoda-shaped dome, was established in 1903 as part of coal magnate John Cleveland Osgood’s Redstone Castle (aka Cleveholm Manor) estate.
“It was designed during the turn-of-the-century era when horticulture, architecture and industry blended to create ornate, European-inspired conservatories,” according to historical accounts shared by the newly formed Glenwood Springs Riverside Botanical Garden (GSRBG) group.
The group is raising money to try to preserve the greenhouse and eventually include it as a centerpiece for a botanical garden.
For now, it sits empty and at risk of being demolished when construction begins this spring, but for the efforts of the GSRBG.
It’s a race against both funding and time, said Laura Speck on behalf of the GSRBG board.
“We desperately need funding, and quickly,” she said. “We are looking for donations of all sizes, as well as founding donors who believe in the long-term vision of this project.”
The initial fundraising goal is $100,000 to facilitate the delicate process of dismantling the structure and storing it.
The “long-term vision” involves working with the City to relocate the greenhouse to the City-owned confluence property (former wastewater treatment plant site) next to the Roaring Fork River north and west of Seventh Street, to serve as a centerpiece for a community botanical garden.
“We see an opportunity to transform a former industrial parcel into a vibrant, accessible green space for everyone in Glenwood Springs,” the board stated in a news release. “The greenhouse would be the heart of it — a beautiful blend of our history, our landscape and our community spirit.”
Speck said the group is working with engineers at SGM to scan the building and determine how best to dismantle and preserve its integrity.
“We would like to get it back to the glory of what it originally looked like at the Redstone Castle in the early 1900s,” Speck said. The original structure featured long greenhouse extensions on either side of the main dome, atop a red and white checkered stone foundation and root cellar. The remaining structure includes a stone chimney with the same red-white checkered pattern.
“Saving the greenhouse isn’t just about preserving history,” the release stated. “It’s about creating something beautiful and meaningful for our community’s future.”
Glenwood Springs City Manager Steve Boyd said in a Jan. 15 staff report to City Council that the prospect of a botanical garden and relocation of the greenhouse to the confluence property is intriguing.
“The City greatly appreciates this group’s enthusiasm and commitment to enhancing public spaces,” Boyd wrote. “Their initiative demonstrates strong organizational capability and a commendable desire to contribute to the community’s quality of life.”
However, he also acknowledged some challenges related to environmental regulations, public safety, liability, long-term sustainability and competing desires for future use of the property.
The GSRBG envisions the botanical garden as a community gathering place with demonstration gardens, pollinator habitat, educational spaces and possibly a small event lawn.
“We understand the City has many priorities, from housing to infrastructure,” the board’s news release stated. “We believe this project complements those goals by preserving history, adding public green space and strengthening community identity. There’s room in Glenwood’s future for both growth and preservation.”
The board hopes to work with the City to secure a long-term land lease for the property. The project itself would eventually be subject to a formal land-use review by the City, Speck said.
In the meantime, saving the greenhouse is the top priority. Without financial support, though, it could be permanently lost, she said.
To learn more about the project and to donate to the effort, visit the GSRBG website at www.glenwoodspringsriversidebotanicalgardens.com
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