According to Denver assessor records, 963 Lafayette Street was built in 1900. George Tritch built the home in 1900 under permit #588 at a cost of $5000. The permit lists Cottrell & Mabrey as the architects. No builder is listed. George Tritch was born in 1871 in Denver, and was president of the Tritch Hardware Company. The company was founded by his father, also George Tritch, in the early days of the city's history. City directories show that Tritch lived at 963 Lafayette for several years before selling the property in 1902.
Cottrell and Mabrey are likely George W. Cottrell and Harry K. Mabrey. The 1900 census shows that Mabrey was born c.1865 in Indiana and worked as a brick contractor. Cottrell was born c.1850 in New York and is listed as a building contractor.
Attorney Augustus H. Martin purchased the property from George Tritch in 1902. Martin was born in 1869 in Denver and attended Albany Law School and Cornell University before returning to Denver to practice law. He served as a trustee for the City and County of Denver. Census records and city directories show that the Martin family, consisting of Augustus "Gus" Martin, wife Anna, and children Augustus Jr., Hugh, and Louise lived in the home until the early 1930s.
