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Cherry Creek: Castlewood Canyon, Canals, and Clark Colony Cherries
A deep dive into the surprising man, Rufus "Potato" Clark.
A journey from humble fields to statewide influence in agriculture, philanthropy, and community building. Lee Whiteley will enlighten and entertain us with the story of colorful “Potato” Clark. A potato farmer, real estate developer, and beloved philanthropist with a connection to the main campus of Denver University.
The 1890 Castlewood Canyon Dam south of Franktown helped protect Denver from Cherry Creek flooding, but the primary motive for the dam was irrigation. The dam, a canal, a water storage system, and 15,000 acres of Rufus “Potato” Clark’s Clark Colony in northern Douglas and Arapahoe counties provided the opportunity for new farming operations.
A series of developers and land promoters enticed settlers to develop 5-to-10-acre parcels of irrigated land for fruit orchards, primarily cherries. The secretary and treasurer of one of the development companies was John W. Springer, the owner of the Highlands Ranch Mansion property from 1897 – 1913. The Castlewood canal and water storage system extended west into present-day Highlands Ranch. The Springer Reservoir was 1/4 mile east of the Southridge Recreation Center.”
One of his proposed new uses of Clark Colony land was the growing of sugar beets. But bankruptcies, problems with the dam, and lawsuits over land ownership and water rights slowed the developments. However, it was the failure of the Castlewood Dam in August 1933 that immediately ended the flow of water to the orchards.
Lee will have an assortment of his books available, plus his latest book "Cherry Creek, A History of the Valley". Cash or check only.
Note: 50% of book sales will be donated to HR Historical Society.
Thank you Lee!
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