On September 2, 1897, the Denver Rocky Mountain News reported that lots 18 to 21 of block 13 of Emery’s Capitol Hill Addition had been sold to Richard Huson Hart for $9,850. The next day, an article lamented the delay in paving streets on South Capitol Hill and mentioned that “Dr. R.H. Hart has recently bought four lots for $10,000 at Eighth and Pearl street, and Mr. Hart’s intention is to erect a $20,000 home.” Later articles note that architects Varian and Sterner were preparing plans for the home.
Richard Huson Hart was the son of Dr. Charles Nelson Hart. The 1899 Denver directory showed both father and son residing at 555 East 8th Avenue. The 1900 US census shows the entire family there, along with roomer Anna J. Elmgren. Charles was listed as a surgeon and Richard was in law school. In 1903, Richard married Elizabeth Jerome, who later would be key in the founding of the Denver Symphony Orchestra.
In September 1909, Richard Hart sold the home to Emma Fellows McCourt, wife of Peter McCourt. McCourt came to Denver in 1883 to manage Horace Tabor’s Grand Opera House. Additionally, McCourt was the brother of Elizabeth Bonduel McCourt, better known as Baby Doe Tabor. Emma died at 555 E. 8th Avenue in 1911, and by 1913 Peter was living at the Brown Palace.
