The Broomcorn Express, Quarterly Publication of the Friends of Broomfield History
Vol. 3, No. 3, July–September 2023
The lovely yellow house surrounded by gardens on City open space along the north side of Midway Blvd was moved to that location in 1998. It now sits on land that was once the Kozisek family farm. The Brunner Farmhouse’s original location was on the northwest corner of 120th Avenue and Sheridan Blvd.
Built in 1908 by Fred Berges, the Brunner Farmhouse was later sold in 1919 to his sister Eliza and brother-in-law Albert Brunner, both from Kansas. It was the family home for the 100-acre Brunner farm that grew corn, alfalfa, wheat, barley and oats. They also raised milk cows, chickens and hogs. Irrigation for the farm was provided by a small lake on the property and the Church Ditch. The farm was sold to the city in 1998 for the Broomfield Town Center development (where King Soopers and Home Depot are located). The family donated their lake to the city. We know it today as the Brunner Reservoir. The Brunner House was one of the first buildings in Broomfield to receive historic designation by the Broomfield City and County Historic Preservation Ordinance. Much of the original woodwork remains, having been restored by local craftsmen.
The house is owned by the City and is used today as meeting space for local groups and office space for the local non-profit Broomfield Council for the Arts and Humanities, who manages the building for the city. The beautiful floral gardens surrounding the house are maintained by various Broomfield garden clubs and volunteers. New teaching gardens out back include a garden shed built by BHS students.
To learn more about this house and other Broomfield historic sites, mark your calendars for our second annual Historic Sites Tour scheduled for Saturday, October 7th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s tour will offer some new locations, including sites that have a connection to local indigenous peoples. More details will be available on our website and elsewhere as the date nears.