TRACT 26 AND TRACT 27 - MRS. C. BURKHARDT
Mrs. C. Burkhardt was the 23rd signer of the Federal Heights incorporation petition. She owned Tracts 26 and 27 at the time of her signing. Clara Burkhardt and her husband, Ernest, purchased Tract 26 from Jacob V. Schaetzel on July 14, 1937 and purchased Tract 27 from Merill A. Knight on August 13, 1937. Both tracts were later sold to their daughter and son-in-law, Lena C. and Alvin R. Baumgartel on August 19, 1940.
Clara Hermine Wagner was born on April 26, 1859 in Germany to Johann Wagner and Christine Kuenzle. She was one of 12 children. She married Ernest (Ernst) Burkhardt on December 9, 1882 in Arapahoe County. Ernest Burkhardt was born on July 4, 1859 in Hirschberg, Germany. He arrived in the United States in the early 1880s and was naturalized in Denver in 1896.
Ernest and Clara lived in Denver all their married lives moving from Elizabeth Street to Arapahoe Street to Ogden Street and finally to 1191 South Corona. They had six children – Lena, Ernest Jr., Louis C., Herman, Otto, and Harry Alton.
In an 1899 Colorado State Business Directory, Ernest was recognized as the vice-president of Denver Wire and Iron Works Co. at 1401-3-5-7 Market Street in Denver.
In the 1900 federal census, Ernest described himself as a locksmith, though in 1910 and 1920 he described his occupation as ornamental iron works.
In a local book, “History of Colorado” Ernest was called the founder and president of the E. Burkhardt & Sons Steel and Iron Works Company of Denver. In another venture, he went into business with Edward Verdeckberg around 1909.
A 1921 publication depicted a White truck owned by Burkhardt’s company and a statement from Ernest and Clara’s son, Otto, that:
"We consider the White far superior to any other make of truck we have ever owned as regards efficiency, dependability and economy. We have reduced our hauling cost 25 per cent with our White. Not only is it more economical in the use of gas and oil, but it will haul any kind of a load over any kind of a road. Much of the material we haul consists of steel beams, channels, steel girders, trusses and the like. The ease with which the White carries its loads is remarkable."
Burkhardt’s company was well-known in the Denver area and was mentioned in documents for bids for jail bars, state capitol steps, theaters, roads and more.
Ernest travelled to Germany several times after becoming a United States citizen. In 1930, at about 70 years old, he and Clara visited Germany, returning to New York on the ship Dresden.
Ernest died on May 29, 1938 at the age of 78. Clara died on September 14, 1945. She was 86 years old. Both are entombed in the Fairmount Cemetery Mausoleum.