Built in 1889, the mansion has been home to powerful and controversial figures, a boarding house, night clubs, restaurants and offices.
Est. 1889 · 1128 Grant St, Denver
The Whitehead-Peabody Mansion has a rich and storied history. Built in 1889, the mansion has been the residence of powerful and controversial historical figures as well as notorious haunting spirits. The mansion has seen businesses come and go, including a boarding house, several night clubs and restaurants, and clerical offices. Throughout its history, it has continued to intrigue ghost hunters and historians in the Denver area.
The architect
The mansion was designed by the well-known architect, Frank E. Edbrooke, who also designed the Brown Palace, the United Presbyterian Church at 16th and Sherman, the Steamboat Springs Depot, and several other notable buildings in and around Colorado.
The residents
1889 to 1902
Dr. Whitehead and his family were the first inhabitants of the mansion. Dr. Whitehead was an influential war surgeon in both the Crimean War and the Civil War, fighting for the Russian Army and the Confederate Army. He then spent his life forwarding and practicing medicine in New York and Denver.
1903 to 1905
Peabody, the second resident of the property and the notorious 13th and 15th Governor of Colorado, was embroiled in opposition to miners' unions, election fraud, and a dark political career resulting in his disgraced exit from the 15th Colorado governor’s seat in 1905 which lasted less than 24 hours.
The spirits
Both men are thought to have brought spirits to the building. Spirits from front lines of battlefields took up residence during Dr. Whitehead’s time in the home, and spirits from the murderous days of union busting and worker intimidation were allegedly brought by Mr. Peabody.
The boarding house years
Following the occupancy of Dr. Whitehead and Governor Peabody, the mansion became home to many different residents. The mansion was soon divided into boarding rooms which were rented by the week to tenants. Following the boarding years, the mansion was converted to commercial space and became several bars, restaurants, night clubs, and then eventually was renovated into offices.
2013 to 2025
On October 31st 2013, a local business man purchased the mansion and began a complete renovation with the intention of creating unique living spaces for residents of Denver. After 12 years the construction was finally complete and 8 units became available to rent.
Sources for this history are listed on the references page.
