Parker Colorado History:
Motsenbocker Road, which runs from the Clarke Farms neighborhood on the north to Stroh Road on the south, is named for the Motsenbocker family. The Motsenbockers farmed and ranched along what is now Parker's southern border and the road runs through what was once their property.

"In the 1920 census my great grandfather Oliver Lincoln Motsenbocker and children reside in Parker on the farm. Oliver later moves to Denver. Luther and Jessie stay on farm/dairy and both brothers raise their families. Jessie later moves to Denver (late 40's early 50's).
Signed Grace Motsenbocker's granddaughter "

Patriarch John Motsenbocker was born in Idalia, Colo., in 1917, and moved with his parents to the Parker area in search of good farming and ranching land in the 1920s. The family lived along the western banks of Cherry Creek, roughly where Stroh Road bridges the tributary today.

When the Castlewood Dam broke in August 1933, 16-year-old John helped his mother move the family to a hill west of their home. The water was about 4 feet high before they managed to get the family to high ground. The family lost its cattle because there was not enough forewarning to move them. The Motsenbockers remained on the hill until morning as a 30-foot wall of water swept down Cherry Creek.

John Motsenbocker served in WWII and was trained in vehicle repair. He served in Africa and Italy until the end of the war. His training enabled him to work at Don's Garage on Mainstreet in Parker upon his return.

After the war, Motsenbocker enjoyed going to dances at the Pikes Peak Grange, Hilltop and Elizabeth. At the dances, he renewed his friendship with Ellen Larsen, whom he knew from his high school days in Parker. They were married three months after his return from World War II.

John and Ellen Motsenbocker had three sons-Harvey, Lynn and Bryan. John Motsenbocker was stacking hay on land he had purchased from his uncle when he had a heart attack and died in 1967. Ellen Motsenbocker lived in the Hilltop area until her death in 2009.

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February 3, 1966 "Jesse J. Motsenbocker, Sr.. 1420 Quail St. Lakewood.
Husband of Pearl V Motsenbocker. Father of Edna Terry, Denver, Jesse J. Motsenbocker Jr., Golden, Everett R. Motsenbocker, Wheat Ridge, and Eugene L. Motsenbocker, Lakewood. Brother of Arthur, Elmer, Luther and John Motsenbocker, Sylvia Elliott, Grace McLaughlin and Golda Huggins. Also 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren."

July 27, 1967 "John M. Motsenbocker, Parker, Colo. Husband of Ellen Motsenbocker, father of Harvey, Lynn and Bryan. Son of Mr. and Mrs Luther Motsenbocker, of Parker, brother of Elsie Harn, Elda Roof, and Louise Baumgnartner, all of Denver, and Oliver Motsenbocker, of Aurora."