John and Elivera Doud House, Denver

The John and Elivera Doud House, located in Denver, is a historically significant property closely associated with Mamie Eisenhower, the wife of U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The house earned the nickname "the Summer White House" during Eisenhower's presidency due to the frequent visits by the First Family.

Mamie Eisenhower, born in 1896 in Boone, Iowa, moved to Denver with her family in 1905. The following year, her father, John Doud, purchased the house, where Mamie lived from 1906 until 1916. The house is a classic example of the American Foursquare architectural style, commonly referred to as a "Denver Square" in the local area. It features a rectangular footprint with dimensions of 32 feet by 36 feet.

The Doud House holds considerable historical importance due to its connection to the Eisenhower family. Mamie Eisenhower married Dwight D. Eisenhower in the music room on the first floor of the house on July 1, 1916. Their son, John Eisenhower, was born in Denver during the summer of 1922 while Mamie was residing in the house.

Throughout Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency, the house served as a retreat for the family, making it a significant location during his time in office. The carriage house, initially built to park a car, was remodeled in the 1950s to accommodate servants and later housed Secret Service agents during the Eisenhowers' visits. Notably, President Eisenhower suffered a heart attack in the house on September 23, 1955, and received treatment at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado.

After the deaths of John and Elivera Doud, Mamie Eisenhower sold the house in September 1961. Today, the house remains in private ownership and is not open for public tours, but it can be viewed from the outside. Its rich history and connections to the Eisenhower family make it an important landmark in Denver.