A Gothic mausoleum rising 158 feet above Crown Hill Cemetery, completed over two decades by three architects as wars and business failures interrupted its construction.
At a glance
The Tower of Memories stands in unincorporated Jefferson County at the intersection of 29th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. This seven-story sepulcher exemplifies how major building projects can stretch across generations, shaped by economic and historical forces beyond design intent.
History
Charles A. Smith conceived the Tower in 1926 with Gothic detailing befitting its funereal purpose. When Smith’s architectural firm collapsed in 1928, brothers William and Arthur Fisher took over the project. The onset of World War II introduced further delays that would extend the timeline by years. John Monroe assumed the role of completing architect in 1948, finally bringing the vision to completion after more than two decades of intermittent work.
What you see
The mausoleum rises 158 feet (48.16 m) through seven stories of Gothic-detailed masonry. Its entrance faces the convergence of two major roads, making it a visible landmark across the cemetery grounds. The vertical emphasis and period ornamentation reflect early twentieth-century approaches to commemorative architecture.
Cultural significance
The Tower represents a distinctive American approach to monumental burial architecture during the interwar period. Its protracted construction history—spanning depression, war, and recovery—documents broader patterns of how American communities built and rebuilt during upheaval.
Key facts
- Location: Crown Hill Cemetery, Jefferson County, Colorado
- City: Wheat Ridge
- Height: 158 feet (48.16 m)
- Stories: Seven
- Construction began: 1926
- Completed: 1948
- Architects: Charles A. Smith (original design), William and Arthur Fisher (continuation), John Monroe (completion)
- Coordinates: 39.75805556, -105.09472222
Practical information & getting there
The Tower of Memories is situated at the corner of 29th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard in the Denver metropolitan area. Crown Hill Cemetery welcomes visitors during daylight hours. Check with the cemetery office for current access policies and to learn more about the building’s interior spaces and historical details.
Sources & resources
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