Warren Hollingworth McLeod papers

Collection

Identifier: COU:1060

Staff Only

Biographical Note

The collection contains very few papers of the real estate company. Mr. McLeod was also associated with the Denver and boulder Land and Investment Co. The collection contains paper of this company dating from 1893-1903. The company developed the housing in the area from the University of Colorado to baseline road.

In addition, McLeod was president of the Denver Eureka Power Co. This company was incorporated in 1902 for the purpose of building a pipe line for supply electricity to Boulder and surrounding areas. The company apparently was later known as the electric and hydraulic Co. of Colorado Springs. It was ultimately absorbed by the Central Electric power Co. The papers collected by this company include a good deal of information on the baker Reservoir. There is some information on other power companies in Colorado (1902-1914).

Included in the papers are many papers of the St. Louise Mining and Milling Co. of Marysville, Montana. The Mayager family (William, Charles, Frances) seems to have controlled this company. William Mayager was President for many years. Lastly, McLeod invented and patented in the United State and Canada, a “vanishing” golf tee. Much of his correspondence and paper are concerned with the tee.

On December 1, 1893 he married Miss Tessa J. white in Denver. They moved to Boulder in the spring of 1894 and have lived at 1069 12th street since 1897.

Dates

1864 - 1944

Biographical Note

Warren Hollingsworth McLeod died at Boulder Community Hospital on September 18, 1994. He was a member of a pioneer family that came to Denver, Colorado in 1871 from Georgia, relocated to Boulder in 1876, and later returned to Denver.

McLeod was born in Madison, Florida to Dr. M.D McLeod and Mary Frances Hollingsworth McLeod. The family later moved to Georgia. There also were four daughters, one of whom was alive in 1994.

As a young man Mr. McLeod went to Denver and for a short time he was clerk in the fuel department of the Union Pacific railway. He later engaged in the real estate business in Denver with office in the old King block on Lawrence Street. One of his first activities in the real estate business, in which he was very successful, was the platting of the Lovers ‘Hill and University Hill additional to Boulder.

W.H Mcleod (1864-1944) and his wife, Tessa J. White McLeod, resided at 1069 12th street in Boulder and Vicinity. He was involved in a real estate business in Denver, the company being a successor to McLeod, Smith and Co.

His real estate activities brought him into close touch with officials of the Colorado and Southern Railway. That association enabled him to be influential in securing the Texas Colorado Chautauqua for Boulder. When the Chautauqua proved a success, the need of a street car line for the south side of Boulder became evident, and Mr. McLeod procured an abandoned line in Pueblo and located it in boulder.

At the request of the board of education, Mr. McLeod selected and secures the site of the University hill School. A man of vision and resourcefulness, he planned a power plant for Boulder Canyon to utilize the stream flow of the creek. Instead of following through with his plans he sold the rights he had acquired to water and locations to the Colorado Power Company which later built the Netherlands and Kessler reservoirs and a fine Hydroelectric plant. In 1928 Mr. McLeod patented a unique golf tee which he cherished a “vanishing tee” but due to the depression at the time, did not market it. An enthusiastic golfer, he was prominent in developing various places for that sport in boulder.

He was a member of the American branch of the Clan McLeod in Scotland; a member for thirty-six years of the Denver Club; a member of a Denver country Club and a member of the Boulder Municipal Sports Center.

Extent

27 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Warren Hollingsworth McLeod (1864-1944) moved with his family to Colorado in 1871. After working briefly with the Union Pacific Railroad, McLeod opened a real estate business in Denver. In 1894 he moved the business to Boulder and was active in promoting the University Hill addition, securing the Chautauqua location in Boulder, and planning a hydroelectric dam for Boulder Canyon. The collection contains correspondence, genealogical material, court documents, maps, and other material on McLeod's real estate interests, power development, mining and his "vanishing golf tee."