Graland’s Neighbor to the North: Cranmer Park

In a recent issue of “Graland Today,” I reflected on the history of the Fieldhouse and its role in school life. This fall, when unexpected flooding temporarily closed Hamilton Gymnasium, students and educators turned to a familiar neighbor—Cranmer Park—for physical education and athletics. The moment was a welcome reminder of how fortunate the school is to have such a beautiful and accessible outdoor space just steps away.

Graland’s bond with Cranmer Park is deeply personal for many alumni and families. Those of us who grew up in Hilltop often share fond memories of both the park and the school across the street. I lived just a few blocks from both. It was a favorite place to run around, climb pine trees, twirl on the silver gnomon of the sundial, and spot Pike’s Peak in the mosaic plaza.

The park’s western view was breathtaking year-round, especially in winter when snow-capped peaks lined the horizon. Many neighborhood families—friends, classmates, and teachers, including former Headmaster John Comfort—lived nearby, adding to the sense of community that made Cranmer Park so special.

When I asked classmates from the Class of 1966 about their memories, they shared similar stories—scaling trees, picnics, letting the dog run, practicing lacrosse, and watching stunning sunsets from the terrace.

In the summer, Cranmer Park hosted the “Showagon,” a traveling talent show organized by the City of Denver. It brought amateur acts—singing, tap dancing, baton twirling, magic, and more—to entertain local neighborhoods. Both kids and adults performed, creating lasting memories.

Long before it was known as Cranmer Park, the land was part of a 240-acre farm owned by George W. Clayton, which he donated to the City of Denver in 1899. Decades later, George Cranmer—a nearby resident and influential civic leader—would help shape the park into the landmark it is today.

Cranmer lived just across the street from the land where Graland would eventually be built, in an elegant Italian Renaissance Revival home at 200 Cherry Street. Perched at Denver’s highest elevation at the time—5,434 feet—the home offered sweeping views of the Front Range. It was built in 1917 by Cranmer’s close friend, architect Jacques Benois Benedict. The Cranmer family lived there until 1963, followed by the Knight, Kerwin, and Kelley/Knox families—longtime supporters of Graland.

Before his public service, Cranmer managed his family’s cattle ranch and later became a successful stockbroker. He sold his firm just before the 1929 crash and turned to politics, managing Ben Stapleton’s successful mayoral campaign. In return, Cranmer was appointed Denver’s Manager of Parks and Improvements, a role he held from 1935 to 1947.

During his tenure, he oversaw transformative projects that helped shape modern Denver: the development of Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Winter Park Ski Area, the expansion of the city’s water system, and the acquisition of land for both the Valley Highway and Stapleton International Airport.

In 1937, Cranmer donated a majority of his land to the City of Denver. That same year, the Works Progress Administration began landscaping it, later naming it Mountain View Park. In 1957, it was renamed Cranmer Park in his honor.

By the time Graland was founded, George Cranmer was already a well-known neighbor, with his stately home a familiar presence across the street. In the 1920s, Ruth Porter Waring, one of Graland’s co-founders, envisioned a school built on high ground—away from the city’s smoke and pollution. Her husband, Dr. James J. Waring, a respected pulmonary physician, supported the idea and advised selecting a location “high on a hill.” With the help of benefactress Mary Reed, Ruth secured the land, and construction began in May 1928. That fall, Graland opened at 30 Birch Street.

The school’s original building was designed by Jacques Benedict—the same architect who had designed George Cranmer’s nearby home just over a decade earlier. Benedict’s daughters attended Graland, and his wife served on the Board of Trustees, deepening the family’s connection to the school community.

At first, Cranmer wasn’t thrilled about a school being built across the street from his home. But over time, he grew to accept it. Students regularly crossed First Avenue for science experiments, PE classes, games, and lunch, and his presence in the neighborhood became familiar to many.

While my sister Dianne and I attended Graland, our family belonged to the Denver Country Club (DCC), where Mr. Cranmer was also a well-known figure. Even in his 80s, he would climb the high diving board and dive into the pool, impressing everyone with his energy. He also loved ice dancing at the club’s skating rink, often sporting a French beret.

Cranmer Park is sometimes called “Sundial Park” thanks to the 6-foot quartzite sundial Cranmer donated in 1941. Inspired by one he saw in Monterey, California, it was carved from Lyons, Colorado stone.

In 1965, when I was in eighth grade, vandals dynamited the sundial. My classmate Laurel Puck ’66 Northup vividly recalled the explosion that shook her home. Police never caught the culprit, but the community rallied to replace it the following year. Another replacement came in 1992.

The most significant restoration happened in 2018. The Park People, with support from Denver Parks and Recreation, raised $2 million to rebuild the terrace, restore the sundial, and fix drainage issues. A plaque now honors Graland and other donors who supported the effort.

Today, Cranmer Park welcomes an estimated 70,000 visitors annually. The park continues to be an invaluable resource for Graland, offering space that supports student life beyond the classroom. As new generations make memories across First Avenue, Cranmer Park remains a treasured part of the school’s evolving story. The Graland community is grateful for the support of Denver Parks and Recreation, which helps ensure continued access to this beloved public space.