Riverdale Road, The Gates of Hell

THE ROAD, NOW

Running an impressive 11-mile stretch along the South Platte River lies both the old and new (but equally infamous) Riverdale Roads. The once scenic drive now serves up more purpose than beauty. Winding past industrial areas, residential neighborhoods, businesses and undeveloped natural land - the road is sure to get you where you need to go, with little distraction along the way. Quite unassuming for what is known as "the most haunted stretch of road in North America".

As with many major roads throughout the area, Riverdale Road seems to almost always be under construction, whether it be fixing infrastructure problems or working on one of the many powerlines that run its length. Again, nothing out of the ordinary. Often with a long stretch of road such as this, come numerous vehicle accidents. Even with a posted limit of 40 mph, the temptation to speed down the long, winding road is too great to resist. Add to that numerous twists and turns and multiple bodies of water, it's understandable how such an ordinary road can at times be considered treacherous.

THE ROAD, THEN

Old Riverdale Road was previously known as River Dale Road and used to run closer to the South Platte River, on its banks and almost its entire length. The road was originally created as more of a private drive, leading to the estate of a Mr. David Wolpert, who settled in a formidable home with his wife and family around 1864.

Now known as Colorado Front Range Trail, you can find any number of walkers, runners and bikers enjoying all that the nature trail has to offer.

THE STORY

The many tales surrounding Riverdale Road contain as many twists and turns as the road itself, each one equally as frightening as the next. From a phantom jogger to a specter car, we found ourselves facing the difficult task of choosing where to start. We decided to start at the only logical place and possibly the source of many of the roads hauntings - the gates of hell.

Although there are several reports of where Mr. Wolpert's house actually stood, the stories about the gates of hell all circulate back to a particular spot on his land - specifically, his chicken coup. Laugh if you must but this is exactly the thing urban legends are made of! One report stated that the chicken coup was underground, another saying that Mr. Wolpert had built a huge wall around the property to protect his "evil workings". There are even YouTube videos in recent existence claiming to have been filmed near those very gates.

Many of the stories link the gates directly to Mr. Wolpert himself. A transplant from Ohio, David Wolpert came to Colorado seeking success. He met and married his wife, moved into the Riverdale Road home and had 3 children. At some point, the story tells of a tormented man, an evil man, that subsequently went crazy and burned his home with his family inside of it.

In some versions, Mr. Wolpert performed works of evil in his chicken coup including witchcraft, devil worship and animal sacrifice end even suggesting that the death of his family was involved in such dark workings.

The Wolpert House Barn, published in the Denver Post, December 4, 1975.

THE INVESTIGATION

I stand firm that this was one of the most fun investigations I've been on, despite it being one of the most fruitless.

We began our trek from Wyoming to Colorado in the early evening, trying to time our arrival to be just before sundown. I'd brought along with me the ladies from North Carolina and my friend, Ricci. On the drive we discussed the stories about the gates of hell, taking turns speculating and theorizing on everything we'd read. There wasn't much deviation in each tale, pretty straightforward actually - crazy man, fire, dead family, gates of hell, etc.

After some time, we arrived at our starting point for the walk, The Owl's Den at Pelican Ponds Disc Golf Course. The Owl's Den consists of a parking lot and a few shelters that serve as day picnicking areas and is almost the halfway point on the Front Range Trail.

Equipped with phones, flashlights and headlamps, we set out on foot to attempt to find the remains of the home and thus, the gates of hell.

The area on this side of Riverdale Road is quite pretty, with groups of trees dotting the trail, several small ponds and of course, the river. The trails are easy to find and maneuver and the area is extremely well-kept and inviting. We followed the pavement for a while, eventually veering off into the wooded areas, each time emerging into another clearing or trail. The area seemed almost absolutely serene and each person or family we encountered was all smiles and waves. It's extremely odd doing a ghost hunt surrounded by children zooming past on you bicycles and skateboards, infants in strollers rolling by and younger people playing disc golf. Nevertheless, we carried on.

As evening approached, the crowds began to clear and the quiet began to settle over the land. Except for the occasional hum of a car on the road, we were surrounded by the gentle sounds of nature. We decided to split up to cover more ground but trying to stay within earshot of each other and in constant communication.

Before we knew it, the park had gone pitch black - nothing but the small lights in our hands to help guide us. The moon didn't even seem to shine that night.

As I walked, I became very focused on my footsteps, hearing each crunch as I stepped over logs and through leaves. After what seemed only a few minutes, I looked up to realize that I couldn't see any of the other flashlights or headlamps. I suddenly became very aware of the silence that engulfed me - no wind, no birds, no insects. I stopped moving and drew a deep breath, desperately waiting for a sound to comfort me. I called out to Ricci, getting no response. Perhaps I hadn't been loud enough. I called out again, hearing female voice instead - oddly close to me. I didn't remember hearing one of the girls walking near me and despite my logical mind, I knew the voice did not belong to either of them. Maybe I miscalculated the distance, there could have still been disc golfers in the area and I didn't understand what the voice had said.

An eerie feeling crept over me and just as I was about to call out again, I heard the voice once more - still unable to understand the words. Just then, I heard Ricci call my name. He must have only been a few yards away from me the whole time. I yelled back, "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?", now a woman's voice was coming toward me from the left side. It was Pam, who also had to have been just a few yards away with her daughter.

"A girl's voice." I said.

By now, my group had rejoined me and all were shaking their heads. Apparently, I was the only one that had heard it. I shook it off, chalking it up to a person near the parking lot, playing disc golf or maybe even doing the same thing we were.

We decided to walk together from that point on and after some time, decided to call it quits. We never found the house, the chicken coup, any gates or even anything indicating that any of these ever stood.

THE HOUSE, THE TRUTH

"Two story and attic, brick house, built about 1864. Fine looking structure with dignity, in a favorable position beside a through drive, backed by Platte River banks and flood plain....The Wolpert's were typical of the hordes of people coming west to make their fortunes in gold and silver. Like many other argonaut [sic], Wolpert found his true fortune in agriculture and permanent settlement." - Dr. Hugo Rodeck

Our research shows that the most commonly used address for the home is 9190 Riverdale Road. However, other sources list the address only as coordinates. According to current mapping, 9190 lies between the current Riverdale Road and a man-made body of water. This seems to be a topic of much speculation.

We know that the house was built around 1864, at which time the existing road was situated much closer to the South Platte River. The above description by Dr. Hugo Rodeck in his application requesting that the home be listed in the National Register for Historical Places, described that it was "backed" by the river banks and flood plain. Although some argue that this indicates its location being closer to the river, the mention of a flood plain also indicates an area of low land being behind the house.

Our team has been unable to verify the exact location of the house but we are in agreement that the current mapping location is inaccurate, as this Riverdale Road did not exist at the time the house was built and that the true location would be much closer to the old road, now the Front Range Trail.

Documents show that his land totaled 145 acres on both the east and west sides of River Dale Road. The home itself is often dubbed a mansion, which at the time of its creation could certainly have been the most accurate way to describe it. Most homes in the area at that time were extremely modest and in comparison, the much larger Wolpert home, land size, and features elevated the property as something to be awed at.

By today's standards, the home is not quite a mansion. Despite being beautiful, it's hardly comparable to the current mansions of today. It wasn't the size of the nine-room, two-story home that interested Dr. Rodeck, however. It was the historic value and importance of representing a group in our past known as the '49ers.

Before the home's destruction, a project had been started to restore it as an American Victorian Mansion. The project was to be sponsored by the Adams County Historical Society and the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission. It also had been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Dr. Hugo and Mrs. Rodeck,

1975, standing outside

The Wolpert Mansion. Dr. Rodeck

advocated for the preservation

of the home and its recognition

as a historic landmark.

THE MAN, THE TRUTH

David Henry Wolpert, born in 1833 in Ohio, was one of nine children belonging to German immigrant parents; John Frederick Wolpert and Christina Lauterbach. As a young man, he began traveling across the US in search of a greater life, staying in Iowa and Illinois until the promise of gold beckoned him further west.

The gold rush began in California in 1849 when nuggets of gold were found in the San Fernando Valley. This sparked one of the greatest movements in our country's history, prompting thousands to travel in search of riches. By the 1850s, much of California's gold had declined and left hopeful miners, including David Wolpert, in search of new, undiscovered treasures.

He followed the Santa Fe Trail to New Mexico, then back up towards Pike's Peak in a traveling party of sixteen men. Once reaching the Fairplay-Breckenridge area of Colorado, the party separated and David decided to chance his luck on settling there. He found success quickly and built the Clayton block on Larimer Street in downtown Denver.

Clayton Block, 2018

In 1864, after meeting Catherine Henderson of Henderson, CO, the two were married.

Seeking the perfect place to begin their new family, David followed the Platte River north for approximately nine miles and upon an impressive 145-acre plot, built Walport Mansion and Farm.

David and Catherine would have four children, David Henry, Clara Lucille, Louisa, and Grace. Young David Henry and one of his sisters were reportedly deaf and mute due to illness at an early age. David Henry can even be found in the catalogue of pupils for the Colorado Institute for The Education of Mutes. Tragically, Clara Lucille passed away just after her ninth birthday.

David would remain at Wolpert Mansion until his death in 1909 at the age of 76. According to a printed pamphlet, The Passing of The Pioneer:

"...David Wolpert, long known and esteemed as one of Colorado's worthiest pioneers, dropped dead October 21st on that same ranch which had been his home for half a century. He had been in Denver in the afternoon and was just unharnessing his horse after returning home, when the blow fell-probably heart failure. He was carried into the house and everything was done that could be done to save him, but life was extinct."

Catherine stayed at the home another four years after her beloved husband's passing, until 1913 - just two years before her own death in August of 1915 at the age of 71.

David Wolpert also had an older brother, John Wolpert, that had eventually settled in the same area. Unfortunately, John passed away ten years before David would. John was 69 at the time.

THE HOUSE, AFTER

David's passing in 1909 would see the property deeding to his wife, Catherine Henderson Wolpert. According to an article on the genealogy of Adams County, the property would pass through several owners after Catherine Wolpert left.

On October 14, 1913, by warranty deed, the property was passed to Charles M. Weisser. Three years later, in 1916, would be deeded by Weisser to Edwin T. Larson and then from Larson to Richard H. Elson in 1918.

The house developed quite the history after the Wolperts passed. It's been rumored to have been made a drover's inn for cowboys, a gambling den, a house of prostitution, and a race-horse ranch. One story tells of one owner getting drunk and losing the house in a card game. Almost 20 years later, Elson would deed the property to Clint O. Heath and on the very same day, Heath would turn around deed it to Charles Faden.

The Faden family would lease the property out after gaining ownership, even beyond Charles' death in 1945 - at which the house was given to Mrs. Katherine Faden by decree of heirship. Katherine Faden would pass the estate to its last known individual owner in 1969, Joseph V. Famularo. On January 2, 1975, the 111-year-old home would be deeded to 888 Corp (also written as BBB Associates).

JOSEPH V. FAMULARO VS.

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ADAMS COUNTY

JANUARY 22, 1973

The following excerpts are taken from documents regarding Joseph V. FAMULARO, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. The BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ADAMS COUNTY, Colorado, et al., Defendants-Appellees. No. 25395. as provided by the Supreme Court of Colorado.

"The plaintiff, Joseph V. Famularo, purchased approximately 150 acres of land in the unincorporated area of Adams County. At the time of purchase, a major part of the land was within a mineral conservation district, a portion was in a flood control district, and a very small part was zoned for industrial use. Several months after purchasing the land, the plaintiff sought to have the property rezoned. Specifically, the plaintiff requested that the major portion of his land be placed in a mobile home district with a small part of the land zoned for commercial use. The requested rezoning was denied by the defendant Board of County Commissioners."

Turns out that Mr. Famularo wasn't entirely sure what he'd gotten himself into when purchasing the property as any attempts he made to gain profit from the land were promptly denied.

"Thereafter, the plaintiff sought review of the commissioners' decision in the district court pursuant to C.R.C.P. 106(a)(4). Pursuant to C.R.C.P. 57, he also sought a judgment declaring that he had been deprived of his property without due process of law. Following a hearing on each claim, the district court held that the commissioners' refusal to rezone the plaintiff's property was not an abuse of discretion or in excess of the commissioners' jurisdiction. The court further held that the plaintiff had not been deprived of his property without due process of law."

In fact, even after his request was denied, he then accused the judge of purposefully depriving him of his property. This attempt also was thwarted and the court ruled that any decisions were true and just. But this wasn't enough for Mr. Famularo! He then argued that the zoning regulations were invalid due to an "editing error", that the decisions are "unconstitutional" and that the commissioners can't refuse him the ability to turn the land into a mobile home park as "the only reasonable use for the property is as a mobile home park". After much arguing, Mr. Famularo was on the losing end yet again. Two years later, he would sell the land and its buildings to a corporation.

THE FIRE, THE TRUTH

"Wolpert Mansion Destroyed by Flames"

May, 1975

The First Fire

According to reports, the first fire at the Wolpert mansion occurred, destroying the house (coupe) and bringing to light the fire hazard posed by the state of the remaining structures.

According to some resources, with push from the local fire department and health department, the house tenants were dismissed and the home declared a danger to the community.

November 1, 1975

1:00 am

The Second Fire

Temperatures had barely reached 40 degrees during the day and the evening progressed to a brisk 20 degrees, not unlike many autumn nights in Colorado. The Wolpert mansion, once a beautiful representation of times gone by, was engulfed in flames that lit up the night sky.

Neighbors reported seeing the fire take what remained of David Wolpert's dream, leaving very little in its wake.

"The flames Friday left only remnants of walls of the main building plus a smaller structure in the rear". - Denver Post, December 4,1975

The Wolpert House Barn - December 4, 1975

The sad ending of an American dream. The remains of the Wolpert mansion and grounds would eventually be completely destroyed, clearing the way for Pelican Ponds Open Space park, a serene and family-friendly place not unlike the home that once stood there. In learning the facts, we also learned the truth about David Wolpert. Not the evil, enraged monster that burned his entire family in their home but a hard-working business and family man that claimed success in the Gold Rush.

There are no gates of hell, no chicken coup. Just the peaceful breeze of a memory.

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