Henry C. Brown

Henry C. Brown (1820–1906), builder of the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver Henry C. Brown (November 12, 1820 – 1906) was a carpenter, architect, real estate developer and businessman during Denver's early days. After operating a boarding house and carpentry shop, both of which were washed away by the flood of 1864, he homesteaded 160 acres in Denver. He donated land for the state capitol in the middle of his land. He built the Brown Palace Hotel, a luxury hotel that has been visited by historical figures, including United States Presidents.

Early life Henry Cordes Brown was born on November 12, 1820, near St. Clairsville in Belmont County, Ohio. His parents were Polly Newkirk and Samuel Brown. It was Samuel's second marriage. Samuel was a 2nd lieutenant during the Revolutionary War and served at the Battle of Bunker Hill, at the Siege of Boston, at the Battle of Concord, and during Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec. His mother died when he was two years old. He studied primarily at local country schools and had a course at Franklin Brooks Academy in St. Clairsville. By 1870, Anna M. Green was married to Herbert R. Green, a merchant, and they lived in Denver. They lived near Henry C. Brown, Jane Brown, and their children, James and Caroline. Henry was identified as a real estate broker. In 1882, Henry's daughter and her husband, Herbert R. Green, lived at 135 Broadway. Henry lived nearby at 108 Broadway in Denver. During their marriage, he traveled the western territory of what is now the United States and around South America looking for business investments. On one trip, he was in the west and South America for five years. alongside Cherry Creek, near the confluence with the South Platte River. They had two more children, Carrie Marcia born on July 18, 1868, and Sherman Thompson on July 31, 1871. Bush and N.M. Tabor were co-partners with Brown, but Brown paid 75% of the $2 million that it cost to build and furnish the hotel.

Brown hired architect Frank Edbrooke by 1890 to design the hotel, which had a triangular shape based upon the lot it sat on. Winfield Scott Stratton bought the hotel before Brown's death. He was 86 years of age and was in California for a visit. Jane and Henry Brown are buried at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver.