The Prower's House

The Prowers House began construction in 1867, with the final south addition being completed in 1869. When finished, it became a fourteen room, two story, “U” shaped adobe structure with a courtyard facing east and the main entry facing south. The courtyard orientation has been attributed to the fact that John Prowers’ wife, Amache Prowers was the daughter of One Eye or Ochinee (a sub-chief of the southern Cheyenne), and in her culture, the house would have faced east, to greet the rising sun.

The north and west wings of the house are no longer standing, however the foundations have been defined archaeologically. The original courtyard contained covered porches on all three sides. The remaining south wing contains six rooms, including the entry way/stairwell and is one room deep throughout. The roof pitch is approximately 8:12. The Prowers House, like the Boggs House, is a product of period technology, available materials, expanding trade along the Santa Fe trail and the Greek revival architectural style. The house falls within the territorial southwest style with some Greek Revival detailing, except that it is two stories. It is very similar to the buildings representing the officer’s quarters at Fort Lyon.