Montview Manor Retirement Community

Background Statement

"Montview Manor" by Elliott Todhunter Dewey written in 1972 is dedicated to Dr. Arthur L. Miller. It reads:

This is the story of Montview Manor. An idea became the impulse which precipitated the action - an idea born in the stillness of though, - an idea slowly emerging into light, and finally culminating into an actuality which is Montview Manor.

As the Senior Minister of Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, Dr. Arthur L. Miller, sat reading the newspaper, a certain headline caught his attention. He learned that Congress was making possible a guarantee of funds from private resources to churches and other non-profit organizations for the construction of suitable homes for older citizens in need of security during their declining years. Among Dr. Miller's parishioners were many who were alone. Their children had assumed responsibilities elsewhere and the maintenance of their homes had become a burden. Why not build an apartment house designed to meet the physical, social, and psychological needs of these people? With this Congressional aid such a facility would be possible. The thoughts racing through his mind touched the builder instinct in his life. As he sat contemplating the meaning of this act of Congress, he saw the application to his own church, its members and its friends. This idea became an impulse. "Nothing is so powerful as an idea whose time has come." The idea took shape and he mounted the first step of the ladder to accomplishment.

On the 21st of February, 1962 at a meeting of the Session, a committee was names to develop the idea.

On June 2, 1962, a joint meeting of the boards of the church approved a plan to sponsor, through the financing of the Federal Housing Act, the construction of an apartment building for citizens sixty-two years of age and older. For the purpose of incorporation, the Session became the "Montview Building Corporation" with full responsibility. The original committee became the Board of Managers with full authority for the gigantic undertaking of the building of a Senior Citizens Home.

In the 1600 block of Steele Street a group of business men owned some property. This site was or sale at a price of $100,000.00. The lots were on the west side of a wide street, centrally located near City Park, with excellent transportation facilities. The location complied with the requirements and the Board secured the F.H.A. approval and the loan. The land was purchased form the Edwards Investment Company on October 19, 1962. The contract for the building was given to the Robbins Construction Company on May 19,1963. The architect was Carl Groos.

Dr. Miller had stipulated to the Board that the completed project must be outstanding as a "way of life" for the residents It must be a home where privacy prevailed; a home where ones friends were welcome, and their chosen recreation enjoyed; a home both in design and in method of operation. This was the criterion followed by the Board.

An Open House was set for a Sunday afternoon in August of 1964. The issuance of an occupancy permit was granted by the City of Denver in September. Mrs. Bachman (one of the first residents) saw the need of organizing a Council whose duties were to plan recreation and pleasurable leisure for all who chose to partake. (note - that Council still exists today providing resident-led activities)