255 Pratt Street, Longmont
Historic Home On Expansive Lot
$745,000
Rich in historical significance and character, the William Butler House is a home with a story. Dating back to 1884, this property was one of Longmont’s first homes and is located within the square mile that first comprised the city. With the only original mansard roof in the square mile, this historic house is so distinctive that visitors from out of town often stop to admire the unique structure.
Entering the property through the white picket fence under the custom copper-coated garden trellis, you feel as though you have entered an oasis in the center of town. The expansive lot – a full third of an acre – backs to Old Mill Park, an historic park featuring a cabin built in 1890, and the Hauck Milk House, a stone structure built around 1860.
The walkway leading to the front porch is made of antique brick pavers originating from an old mill town in Nebraska. It meanders through a yard which is lushly landscaped with plum, apple, pear, Japanese maple and mulberry trees in addition to grapes, raspberry and blackberry bushes. English roses add a touch of elegance. A wrought iron gate, from a church in Denver, is one of the many character pieces added by the current owners.
The house, situated on a sheltered corner lot, was built by prominent pioneer William “Col. Billy” Butler, a cavalry captain in the Civil War, later an ordained minister, florist and greenhouse owner on Kimbark Street. Butler, known for his athletic vigor, was a celebrated local figure and well-known sight on Longmont’s streets as he cycled around town. On his 85th birthday on September 2nd 1926 he set the record of oldest person to climb towering Longs Peak, which remains undefeated to this day.
Walk around to the backyard and you are once again reminded of the home’s rich past.
The original barn, used in the early 1900s as an ice storage house, still stands on the back of the lot, offering a magical play area for children, a workshop for the weekend hobbyist, or the practicality of additional storage.
Exceptional care has been given to restoring the character of the home. The house has recently been repainted with heritage colors which complement the Mansard roof that is made of zinc and coated with a layer of copper that reflects the morning light.
The brightly colored leaded stained glass window adorning the wooden front door welcomes you into the home. Upon entry, you are greeted by the warmth and quality of the original finishes, including antique light fixtures, crown molding, as well as restored oak and heartwood pine hardwood floors. The richness of these features accent the open and airy 10-ft ceilings and oversized windows.
The large parlor to your immediate right features a richly-hued Italian marble fireplace, which is still in excellent working order, perfect for those snowy Colorado winter nights. The main floor also features a formal dining room, peaceful study with stained glass windows, playroom, kitchen, and a large mudroom and workshop for working on projects, storing garden tools and winter weather coats and boots. Up the beautiful wooden staircase, the second story houses the sleeping quarters: a master bedroom with a large bay window that frames seasonal mountain views. Three additional bedrooms and a full bathroom complete with a claw foot tub round out this functional floor plan, and offer a total of four bedrooms on the upper level.
The basement – an ideal play area for children – was constructed with perhaps one of the most unique features of the home: a theater stage that recounts memories of the great American circus and ignites imagination and whimsy. It additionally houses a full bathroom, a non-conforming bedroom with a large storage closet, and the boiler room.
The William Butler House offers the serenity of a large lot in a private setting, walkability to all of Longmont’s best restaurants and amenities, and a home that has been well preserved for over a century. The recent updates and renovations have brought new life to a piece of Longmont history that remains a vibrant family home.
Old Town Longmont has quickly become one of Colorado’s most sought after locations, and offers an amazing lifestyle. A creative hub with many artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs, downtown Longmont hosts gallery art walks and a concert series. Two of Longmont’s best restaurants, the Sugar Beet and Tortugas, are within easy walking distance of 255 Pratt St. The Dickens Opera House is a terrific live music venue with great stage and bar, making it an attractive local hangout. Longmont has a classic, revitalized Main Street where local business are thriving, a place to wander with ice cream on a warm evening, catch up with friends at one of the friendly coffee shops, or enjoy a meal out.
Longmont’s St Vrain Greenway linking miles of river bike trails and parks is merely blocks away, running from Golden Ponds to Sandstone Ranch, a community park and nature area situated on 313 acres of land abundant with natural, historic and cultural resources. And while the City of Boulder, 20 minutes away, is the County seat, Longmont is the home of the County Fairgrounds, hosting the yearly County Fair, along with other local events, including a fantastic local farmers market throughout the summer and during the holidays. While many people are attracted to Old Town Longmont because of the beautiful architecture, they stay because of the amazing community and growing list of local amenities.
