Entry No. 35 — the Colorado Springs file — filed under: victorian-mansion
The Estemere
The Estemere is a genuine 1887 Queen Anne Victorian mansion — 18 rooms, seven fireplaces, a billiard room with stained-glass panels, a carriage house, and a chapel — sitting on 6.5 acres above 7,000 feet, built by Palmer Lake's dentist-founder and now a lovingly restored private residence. Its storied history as a millionaire's retreat, a girls' camp, and a Depression-era weaving school is documented in a full-length architectural history published by the Palmer Lake Historical Society.
The move: Walk or drive up Glenway Street to admire the Estemere's dramatic Victorian silhouette from the road, then continue on foot through Palmer Lake's walkable historic district (the Palmer Lake Historical Society runs a self-guided walking tour that includes the estate as a stop), finishing with a stroll to the lake itself just minutes away.
📍 Before you go The Estemere is a private residence, so the reliable move is admiring it from Glenway Street — don't walk onto the grounds or peer in windows; treat the neighbors with respect. It sits in Palmer Lake's compact historic district, an easy stroll from the lake (really a small reservoir) itself, so pair the view with a loop around the water and the village's old storefronts. At over 7,000 feet, late spring through fall is the most comfortable window; winter brings snow and ice on the hillside streets. The mansion only opens for occasional Historical Society tours — if going inside matters to you, check ahead, as those dates shift and aren't guaranteed.
- 📍 Palmer Lake
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 380 Glenway St, Palmer Lake, CO 80133
Hours: Mined 2026-06-07 — confirm current hours before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: palmerdividehistory.org · gazette.com · coloradocommunitymedia.com
last checked: 2026-06-07