Your Home Has a History

Ever wonder what your home’s story is?

When we buy a new house, we get caught up with a lot of the practical details, but we don’t always stop to think about who lived in the home before us and what that history says about our new place.

The truth is, though, that every house has a history. And that includes yours.

A lot of people are researching details about their home. It’s kind of like filling out an ancestry tree, but for your residence. 

If you live in Denver, you have resources available to you to help you research the story behind your house.

Check out the questions you might be interested in having answered and the list of resources we’ve gathered to get you started on the journey to discovering your home’s history…

How old is my house?

If you’ve been living in your home for a while, you may not know or remember how old it is. Although the building age is typically disclosed at the time of purchase, it may not have been a big factor for you at the time, or it may not have been completely accurate in the records. Mistakes happen.

And sometimes for old homes, the date listed is the last known major remodel rather than the construction date.

Who build my house?

You can go all the way back to the beginning of your house’s history in many cases. Someone had to get the initial permit to build. Who were they? Why did they your home?

If you find the original owner, you may also be able to uncover blueprints for the architectural plans, get copies of the original deed and more. These are not often kept in public records unless architectural plans were filed with the city. But you may be able to find other documents on your premises.

Who has lived in my house?

Some homes have the same residents for many years. Other homes see themselves bought and sold over and over again. Which the story of your home?

Have many different people lived there, or did it stay with one person or family for several decades

Are there any old photos available of my home?

It’s possible that you could find old photos of your home. In the case of homes built many decades ago, it can be interesting to see the cosmetic changes that have been made over time. Or maybe additions were put on the home. 

The photos, if any are available, could even show how the neighborhood has changed over time.

Resources for Denver Residents

Here are a few places where you can start your home research:

The Denver Building History Tutorial

The Denver Public Library Research Department

Stephen H. Hart Library and Research Center at History Colorado

Knowing the history of your home makes you a part of the story. And since your home is the center of your personal story, it’s nice to know how it all fits together. Get in on the fun of learning and discover more about your Denver home’s history.