Walter Cheesman

Walter Cheesman, American capitalist, involved in railroad, finance, real estate, and water industries. Walter Cheesman (1838–1907) was an American businessman who was involved in railroad, finance, real estate, and water industries. After beginning his career in New York and Chicago, he lived in Denver, where Cheesman Dam, Cheesman Reservoir, and Cheesman Park are named for him.

Early years Walter Scott Cheesman was born at Hempstead Harbor, New York on June 27, 1838. He was a member of a prominent Long Island family and attended public high school. He received private tutoring before entering into family businesses, including banking and mercantile. His brothers came to Denver in 1859 and opened a pharmacy store, but they were not very successful, so Cheesman came to Denver in 1861 and took over the business. He added bottled water and liquor to the store's merchandise.

In 1868 he, John Evans and David H. Moffat began work to build the Denver Pacific Railroad to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Cheesman was president of the railroad for several years.

He lived in the Walter Dunning mansion at 1200 Pennsylvania Street in Denver for a short period of time before his death in 1907. The Cheesman Memorial was erected in his memory in Cheesman Park by his wife and daughter.