3325 E. 26th Avenue

In 1937, Gerald and Edith Welsh were issued a permit to build this house. The house was an investment for the Welshes, who rented the house out until 1943 when it was purchased by William and Agnus Bender, owners of Bender's Bakery. Bender’s Bakery had several locations in Denver.

In 1950 the Benders sold the house to Harlan and Clydia Holben. Harlan worked as an accountant. In 1957, the Holbens sold the property to James and Ola Thornton, the first Black family to own the house. James worked as a clerk for the U.S. Postal Service. Two of their three children lived in the house, and daughter Ruth was studying nursing at the University of Colorado.

In 1967, the Thorntons sold the house to Jerome “Jerry” and Barbara Rose. In 1955, Jerry graduated from the University of Denver and became an auditor for the City of Denver. By 1964, he was serving as Denver’s first Black department head, overseeing the Motor Vehicle Division. Barbara Rose served on the board of the Denver YWCA. In 1968, Jerry Rose became a Colorado State Representative. He served two terms in the Colorado House of Representatives.

In 1976, the house was purchased by Arthur and Linda Henry, long-time educators in the Denver Public Schools.