Looking northwest inside of Union Station (1925) & (2024)
I couldn't find any other information of this photograph other than its year and location.
But then again, what more is there to say? Denver residents have been celebrating Christmas in fashionable style since the turn of the 20th century and continue to do so in 2024.
While renovations and upgrades have in some ways changed Union Station, the overall building has generally remained the same since its construction in 1914.
In the current picture there is no tree because unfortunately, it is moved towards the front of the great hall and is therefore JUST out of frame.
While the tree in 1925 was natural, today an artificial tree is lavishly decorated in full with lights, ornaments, bows and more. Additionally, out front of the station stands another giant decorated tree alongside other lighted decorations with the station itself illuminated in festive colors.
We hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas!
#denverhistory #denver #unionstation #denverunionstation #christmastree #christmas
Looking west in Civic Center Park at 101 West 14th Ave (1940) & (2024)
Denver is known as the Christmas Light Capital of the World.
Did you know that in Denver on Christmas Eve in 1914, the first Christmas lights were made? D.D. Sturgeon, a Denver electrician, dipped regular light bulbs in red and green paint, connected them to electrical wire, then decorated a tree outside his ill son’s window to brighten his spirit.
In 1919 John Malpiede, who was Denver’s only City electrician, felt inspired and took it upon himself to replace the white lights around Civic Center with red and green globes. He also added evergreen boughs to the lamp posts. The following year he placed a lighted Christmas tree in Civic Center Park. Each year he added more garland and lightbulbs, and each year more people came to see the display. In 1926 he was able to get Mayor Stapleton’s approval to decorate City Hall for Christmas. By 1932 his project of City Christmas lights turned into 25,000 lightbulbs, 17 miles of electric wiring, and tons of evergreen boughs.
In the early 1940's a nativity was added. That was a subject of a 1979 lawsuit, because of religious imagery in a public setting. Finally, in 1986 it was determined that "The nativities main purpose was to promote a feeling of goodwill to depict the historical origins of the national holiday to contribute to Denver’s reputation as the City of Lights."
For the past 60 years I have spent time every year going downtown to see the display. As a child I remember the elves busy in the workshop, Santa Claus in his sleigh, the nativity scene, and so many lights that I just stood in awe. As a teenager, I remember when baby Jesus was stolen, as well as the Keep the Lights campaign. They even sold Christmas cards to raise money for the cost of lights. Over time they replaced all of the lights with LED bulbs. As an adult, I have many memories of bringing my 4 children to see the lights, reliving my childhood memories.
Denver’s 84 ye
Looking west from Wolff Street on Colfax Avenue (1950s) & (2024)
For 65 years Eddie Bohn was dubbed the King of West Colfax, and the Pig 'N Whistle was his throne. Yet, he greeted everyone who came in like they were friends.
He was born 1902, the son of a brush maker whose factory was located at 4801 W Colfax. In 1920, Eddie went to California to seek his fortune. He was a sparring partner for Jack Dempsey the “Manassa Mauler”, and they became lifelong friends. After a few years he saved up $10,000, came back to Colorado, and bought the 4 lots where his father's brush factory was. In 1924 he opened a gas station and a restaurant and called it Pig ‘N Whistle, after a restaurant in California. ‘Pig’ means a keg of beer, and the ‘whistle’ is what bartenders did to get a new one.
In the 1930's four motel units were added, making it Denver's second motel. He then added a swimming pool, as well a sports bar, before anybody ever heard of one. The walls were covered with photos of famous people that visited there.
The Pig 'N Whistle became a mecca for boxers, many of whom used the motel as a base during training. During 1934-1977 Eddie was Athletic commissioner and chairman that regulated Colorado boxing and wrestling. Premier boxers of the period including Sugar Ray Robinson, Gene Fullmer and Carmen Basilio visited the Pig.
Before becoming manager of the New York Yankees, Billy Martin managed the Denver Bears and lived at the Pig ‘N Whistle during baseball season. Yogi Berra, Governors Johnson and McNichols, Mayor Bill McNichols, Chet Nelson, sports editor of the Rocky Mountain News, Bob Palmer, news anchor at Channel 7, as well as western TV star Roy Rogers, and big band leader Tommy Dorsey were familiar faces at the Pig.
A colorful chapter in Denver history ended when the Pig ‘N Whistle closed in 1991, the year after The King of West Colfax passed away. Sadly in 2010 there restaurant burned down.
Now, where the gas station was there is a cannabis
Looking northeast from a parking lot of Mile High Stadium (1990s?) & (2024)
In 1947, a native Denver businessman, Bob Howsam organized/owned the Denver Bears Minor League Baseball team. The construction of their home field, “Bears Stadium” was completed in 1948. The Denver Broncos (also organized/owned by Howsam) were a charter member of the American Football League in 1960, and became the second tenant of the stadium. Unfortunately, overwhelming debt forced Howsam to sell The Bears, Broncos and the stadium in 1961. The stadium was later sold to The City Of Denver in 1968 and was renamed “Mile High Stadium" after the nickname of the city, which is 5,280 feet (or one mile) above sea level. Bucky, the bronco seen atop the south stands was created in 1975 in collaboration between actor Roy Rogers and The Rorie Company and is modeled after Rogers’ iconic horse, “Trigger.” After 45 years of Minor League Baseball, Denver was FINALLY awarded a Major League Baseball team in 1993. The Colorado Rockies played their first two seasons in the stadium before moving to Coors Field in 1995. *OF NOTE* The Bears (who were renamed the Zephyrs in 1984) were sold and moved to New Orleans in 1993 after the announcement of the Rockies’ arrival. As a charter member of Major League Soccer in 1996, The Colorado Rapids called the stadium home for their first six seasons before moving to the new Mile High Stadium in 2001. The final NFL game was on December 23rd, 2000 when the Broncos beat the 49ers, 38–9. The Broncos would move to the new Mile High Stadium the following season in 2001. Demolition began in January of 2002 and was completed in April. After 25 years, Bucky was moved from the old south stands scoreboard and now sits atop the current south stands’ scoreboard, continuing his legacy.
◾Notes from Tanner
I love the fact that today you can see the foundation of where the old stadium once stood. The original stands were built into the natural slope, while over time
Looking Northeast on 17th Street and Tremont Street 1897 & 2024
In 1859, Adriance and Goode, founded Denver’s first religious organization, the Auraria and Denver City Methodist Episcopal Mission, known today as Trinity United Methodist Church.
In 1887 after the land was purchase at18th and Broadway, Robert S. Roeschlaub was hired as the architect. Trinity is one of the finest examples of Modern Gothic architecture in the United States, the combination of Gothic detailing and a Rococo theater with the latest technology. Staying true to the Arts and Crafts movement of looking to nature for inspiration the exterior used Castle Rock rhyolite. At the time of construction, Trinity’s steeple standing 183 ft. 7 1/2 in. was one of the tallest stone towers in the United States.
In 1888, at a cost of $30,000 Issac Blake purchased an organ designed by the Roosevelt Organ Works of New York. The electricity needed to power the organ’s electro-pneumatic action was originally generated by a dynamo. The dynamo was turned by a water wheel which gained its power from an artesian well below the sanctuary. Behind the 108 pipes in the organ’s facade are an additional 4,167 pipes, making the total number of pipes 4,275. At today’s estimation of over $2,500,000, Roosevelt Opus No. 380 is one of the largest Roosevelt-built organs of the 19th Century still in operation.
Trinity’s stained glass artwork was designed by Healy and Millet of Chicago. The firm was also considered an innovator during the Arts and Crafts movement. Their artists use colored and textured opalescent glass, instead of the painted glass. There are two rose windows in a spoke style, and a three–panel Resurrection window meant to welcome all people.
In 1970 the church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2002 the church undertook a $2.5 million restoration, everything from the foundation to a leaky asbestos roof, from the organ to the bronze cross. Nearly 3,500 cubic feet of cut ston
Looking west on Colorado Boulevard between 7th and 8th Avenue (1970) & (2024)
Many of you may remember in the early 1970’s there was a House of Pies restaurant located at 745 Colorado Blvd. One of my favorite childhood memories was when my parents would take me there on the way home from the Denver Coliseum, we had either been to the Circus, the Ice Capades, or the National Western Stock Show. Everytime I walked in it was like a dream come true. There were display cases filled with the most beautiful pies, and the ovens for the bakery warmed the whole place up. They offered 61 varieties, but I always chose strawberry rhubarb.
The original House of Pies was founded in California in 1965, by Al Lapin Jr. the same man who had created IHOP about 10 years prior, and also owned Orange Julius. In April 1970 they began a multi-state expansion, and Denver’s House of Pies was born.
The building was made to resembled a cottage style house with a tall pitched roof, and a centered chimney. The sides of the cottage were made of glass, surrounded by stone and wood. There was a long rectangular building which was attached to the back of the cottage. This formed the dining room and kitchen. The exteriors of these buildings were mostly stuccoed with an accent arch added above windows.
Sadly, in 1976 the chain was sold and over the next 10 years slowly downsized, leaving Denver empty handed. On the bright side of things, I learned that there are still 7 locations, 1 is in Los Angeles and 6 are in Texas. One of the locations is close to my oldest son’s house in the Houston area. While I was a visiting, I brought my two granddaughters and we bought 7 slices of pies to share with the family. The display case was beautiful and the ovens warmed the store. I smiled as I took a picture of them standing there by the display case. We enjoyed the pies, just like I did when I was a kid. Yes, I had strawberry rhubarb, and yes, it was delicious.
In 1995, the 2nd ever Chipotle opene
Looking west on 17th Street from Wazee Street (1963) & (2024)
In 1912, the original Union Depot partnership discontinued operations. The partnership was replaced by a different group of owners who made plans to construct a new modern replacement for the central building of the station. The north and south wings of the original structure remained intact while demolition and reconstruction of the main building begin. Designed by architects Gove & Walsh in Beaux-Arts style and constructed from carved granite, the new centralized building would open with full operations in 1914.
As time progressed, transportation in America shifted towards automobiles and airlines. The use of railroads grew less popular and a national decline in passenger service followed. In 1953 with an attempt to bring ridership back to the trains, the orange "Union Station: Travel by Train" signs were placed atop the front and back of the station to advertise intercity rail travel. Sadly, the peak of national train travel in America had already passed by.
In 2001 the Regional Transportation District purchased Union Station from the Denver Union Terminal Railway Corporation. A complete renovation began on December 1, 2012 with the grand reopening held on July 26, 2014. The idea was to transform Union Station into "Denver's Living Room" by modernizing and repurposing the main hall into the centerpiece of a new transit and social hub. Today, located at 1701 Wynkoop Street, Union Station is comprised of the the main station house, north and south wings, a modern open-air train platform, light rail tracks at ground level, and an underground bus station.Transportation that operates out of the terminal include, charter busses, Greyhound, city buses, The 16th Street Mall Ride, The Flatiron Flyer, Amtrak, The California Zephyr, and the A, B, G & N light rail lines. The upper levels of the main building now house the Crawford Hotel. The ground level serves as the hotel's lobby, waiting room for trains and
Looking west on 17th Street from Wazee Street (1912) & (2024)
The first train station to serve the city was constructed in 1868 and was operated by The Denver Pacific Railway. However, by 1875 there were 5 "main" railroad terminals located within the city, which were all serviced by different companies. Over time this became an inconvenience for passengers who were making transfers between the different rail lines. With the idea to make travel easier and more accessible to the public, The Union Pacific Railroad (headed by Jay Gould) proposed consolidating all rail traffic into one centralized location. Therefore, in February of 1880 the owners of the major railroad lines (Union Pacific, Denver & Rio Grande, The Denver, South Park & Pacific and the Colorado Central) agreed to construct a singular station to "unionize all the trains coming to Denver." This new "Union Station" would be located downtown at 1701 Wynkoop Street, designed by architect William E. Taylor in Italian Romanesque style and open on June 1, 1881.
A few years later on March 18, 1894 a fire that was started by an electrical spark from a chandelier in the women's bathroom would end up destroying the main hall of the station. The architectural firm of Van Brunt & Howe were tasked with designing a replacement for the main building, which they chose to be constructed in a similar Romanesque revival style as the original. Construction for the new building began immediately, and the new central building opened just two months later. A large steel archway was constructed and placed in front of the station along Wynkoop Street and was dedicated on July 4, 1906. The word "welcome" was inscribed on the arch which provided a symbolic entryway or "front door" to travelers entering and leaving the city. In 1908 the Wynkoop Street side of the arch that displayed "welcome" was changed to “mizpah” a Hebrew parting salutation from Genesis 31:49. But, with the rise of automobile traffic, the arch was deemed a t
Looking west from Federal Boulevard and 33rd Avenue. (1918) & (2024)
Located in the Highlands neighborhood at 3265 Federal Boulevard, the Woodbury Library was constructed in 1913. Architect J.B. Benedict designed it in the renaissance revival style, and it features simple but formal appearance. It was named after Roger Williams Woodbury, who was a businessman, journalist, and a banker who served as Denvers first president of the Chamber of Commerce.
At the turn of the Century, Denver was known as a dirty and rambunctious frontier town without a lot of trees and other vegetation. The Highland community was known for more civilized pursuits, clean morals, and an abundance of trees and gardens, making the Highlands a perfect area for this library.
The library was funded by Andrew Carnegie, and it's among the first of Denver Carnegie libraries. Andrew Carnegie was a 19th century industrialist. His donation of more than $40 million paid for 1679 new library buildings and communities across America.
The library has been renovated a number of times. The latest renovation focused mainly on improving the function, technology, energy efficiency, building security, comfort, and aesthetics of the library.
◼Notes from Tanner
The old saying goes, "If it's not broke then don't fix it." I believe that this is a prime example of just that, architecturally speaking. So often are beautiful buildings torn down or plastered over with modern exteriors, rather than preserving their original identity. Maintenance and restoration can keep a building's character and history alive while at the same time adjusting to present day standards.
#denverhistory #denverthenandnow #woodburylibrary #library #denverpubliclibrary
Looking west from 11th Street and Walnut Street (1977) & (2024)
In 1864, Moritz Sigi opened The Rocky Mountain Brewery. It was the first brewery built in Colorado, and the second in the nation!
Designed by Frederick C. Eberlay, the building features Bavarian style architecture, with a combination of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo influences.
Sigi constructed the first artisan well in Colorado within the brewery, to supply water for brewing. They were known for Buck’s Beer. Unfortunately, 10 years later, Sigi had a fatal accident.
In 1879 Max Melsheimer took over, and renamed it Milwaukee Brewery. He took out a loan for new copper brewing kettles and a grain tower. Unfortunately, he did not make enough revenue to repay his loan.
In 1890 John Good took control and renamed it Tivoli, after the famous Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1901 Good partnered with William Burkhart’s Union brewery to form the Tivoli-Union company.
The brewery was able to make it through prohibition by making legal low alcohol cereal beers. By the 1950’s it was one of the largest breweries in the country.
Unfortunately in 1965, the South Platte River flooded. The brewery was 9 feet underwater. Even though they reopened after the flood, there were too many problems, and finally closed in 1969.
In 1973 it was listed in the National Register of Historical Places, that same year as part of the Denver Urban Renewal project in it became part of a Auraria College campus. After $27 million to redevelop, it opened in 1982 as a bar and a retail center. In 1994 it became the official student union of Auraria Campus.
In 2012 Corey Marshall acquired the Tivoli beer brand and decided to revive the Tivoli Brewing Company, which now operates within heart of Auraria Campus.
When I was a student at Metro, I remember doing a lot of studying at the Tivoli. When I graduated, the Building was the backdrop for my ceremony.
#denver #denverhistoy #tivoli #tivolibrewing #aurariac
Looking north on Champa Street from 13th Street in downtown (1987) & (2024)
For many years since opening in 1908 The Denver Municipal Auditorium was the premier event venue in the city. Then in 1941, construction for an annex building that would be attached to the south end of the Auditorium (located at 1323 Champa Street) was completed. This new venue, named the Auditorium Arena would be used to host larger events with its 7,500-seating capacity. A renovation and addition to The Arena was completed in 1952. With a prime location in the heart of Downtown and a large seating capacity, The Auditorium Arena became the destination venue for all kinds of events.
◼Basketball
Home to the ORIGINAL Denver Nuggets for their only season in the NBA in 1949-50.
*PLEASE NOTE* this team was not associated or connected with the current Denver Nuggets team.
HOWEVER, The Arena was ALSO HOME to the CURRENT Denver Nuggets (originally named the Rockets from 1967-74) from their beginning in the ABA in 1967 until the end of their first season in the NBA in 1974-75. The team would move to McNichols Sports Arena the following season (1975-76.)
◼Music
The following are just some of the artists and bands who held performances: Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, The Beach Boys, Elton John, Steve Miller Band, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Run-D.M.C, and Prince.
◼Professional Wrestling
The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) hosted 6 house shows throughout 1988 which saw wrestlers such as: Hulk Hogan, André The Giant, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, The Iron Sheik, Harley Race, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Mr. Perfect, and Shawn Michaels.
In 1989, as part of the Denver Center For The Performing Arts renovation project, demolition crews gutted the interior, made minor adjustments to the exterior and reopened the venue in 1991 as the Temple Hoyne Buell Theater. "The Buell" showcases Broadway plays, musicals, concerts and comedy acts with a seating capacity of 2,880. What
Looking southeast down 14th Street from Arapahoe Street in Downtown (1920s) & (2024)
The Denver Municipal Auditorium was designed by local architect Robert Willison during the administration of Mayor Robert W. Speer. The Renaissance Revival styled building was constructed using buff brick and was capped with terracotta trim.
Located at 1400 Curtis Street in Downtown, the Auditoriums informal opening on was on July 5th, 1908, with a free concert to the public. The official opening was just a few days later to host the 1908 Democratic National Convention from the 7th to the 10th of July.
At the time of it’s opening, the Auditorium was the second largest event venue in America (12,500 seats) only behind Madison Square Garden III (18,496 seats) in New York City.
After the convention ended, the Auditorium became the premier venue for The City of Denver and hosted theater, musicals, operas, symphonies, concerts, circuses, conventions, exhibitions, and sporting events. The venue was also the site of Mayor Speer’s funeral in 1918.
The first major renovations to the Auditorium were completed in 1956 and helped transform the aging venue into a modern theater.
In 1977 an eight-level parking garage and a glass roof connecting to the theater were constructed as part of the new Denver Preforming Arts Complex.
Decades later in 2002 the theater was again renovated and reopened in 2005 as the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, honoring "Denver's First Lady of Opera.”
Today, “The Ellie” hosts traveling Broadway shows and is on par with the top-of-the-line theaters in the country.
The next post will feature information about The Denver Municipal Auditorium Arena Annex.
#Denverhistory #Denver #downtowndenver
