History :
Hiwan Homestead was a cherished mountain retreat to the families who lived within its rough-hewn walls. In the 1890's, Mary Neosho Williams, a Civil War widow, and her daughter Josepha were among the aristocratic society of Denver who camped at Evergreen.

They acquired the simple log structure and hired John "Jock" Spence, a Scottish carpenter, to convert it to a summer cottage. The property was named Camp Neosho after Mrs. Williams' middle name. Overnight guests would stay in tents, comfortably equipped with wood floors, stoves and double canvas walls.

photograph of young JosephaIn 1889, Josepha graduated from Gross Medical School in Denver and became one of Colorado's first women doctors. Seven years later, Josepha married Canon Charles Winfred Douglas, an Episcopal clergyman who achieved world acclaim for his musical work.display picture

Josepha Douglas died in 1938 and the house was sold to Tulsa oilman, Darst Buchanan. His wife re-named the land Hiwan Ranch. Buchanan's Hiwan Hereford cattle were known throughout the country and won many stock show prizes.

Six generations of notable families lived in this rustic mountain lodge before it was developed as a museum by Jefferson County Open Space in 1974.