The historic Montclair neighborhood was originally founded by the Uncle and Godfather of the World War I flying ace, Baron von Richthofen, also known as the “Red Baron”. He promoted the neighborhood as “a fount of health and prosperity, and as a model community with enlightened planning and sophisticated architecture.” He began construction on one of the United States most interesting castles, The Richthofen Castle. The construction was completed in 1887 and was designed after the original Richthofen Castle in Germany with over 35 rooms, a mote, a mistress house, hand tooled leather walls and a massive oak staircase.

Because the neighborhood was sort of promoted as a “health resort”, the homes were designed and constructed specifically with unenclosed side porches and open floor plans which were thought to be therapeutic for those suffering from the 19th Century’s most deadly diseases Tuberculosis or TB. Montclair features a variant style of its own unique bungalow.

Today Montclair’s neighborhood features styles of the late 19th century Vernacular, Queen Anne, Foursquare and Neoclassical designs. It also includes 20th Century bungalows, classical cottages, Tudor Revivals, Castles and ranch styles. Residents of Montclair can enjoy lots of surrounding retail including the shops on Colfax, and the newly redeveloped Stapleton and Lowry areas. There is also the new 40,000 SF Montclair recreation center which includes a gym, bleachers, lap pool, leisure pool, locker rooms, a family changing room and four acres of irrigated playfield open space.

If you like the Montclair area, you will also like the Mayfair, Crestmoor, Hilltop, Lowry and Park Hill areas.