Downtown Denver Historic Virtual Tour Presented by Fonda Apostolopoulos, P.E. CDPHE
1861 COLORADO BECOMES A TERRITORY Denver, then known as Denver City, is officially chartered and Larimer Street becomes the city’s main street.
1863- A fire in Denver Denver buildings were built almost exclusively from wood. When a fire broke out at a saloon called The Cherokee House on April 19th, more than 70 buildings turned to ash Larimer Street was lucky to escape the huge fire, but afterwards a law was enacted requiring buildings be made from brick or stone.
1873 THE KETTLE ARCADE IS BUILT • George Kettle built the Kettle Arcade between two existing buildings, using the neighboring structures as side-wall support and building only front and rear walls for the Kettle Arcade itself. The building was decorated with key figures from Denver’s early history, including Larimer himself, Chief Little Raven, sharpshooter Annie Oakley, con man Soapy Smith and Denver Mayor Robert Speer.
1882 THE GRANITE BUILDING Once named the Clayton Building, this iconic structure was erected on the site of William Larimer’s log cabin by George Washington and William M. Clayton, whose initials remain in the rooftop cornice of the building. G.W . Clayton, a pioneer real estate tycoon, founded Denver’s Clayton College for poor orphans. Later the building became the Granite Hotel and offices
1893 THE SILVER CRASH After the silver crash, Colorado and “the Silver State” sank into a depression, as silver had become the lead industry. Once prosperous Larimer Street became frozen, an architectural museum with little major new building development and by 1900 had become Denver’s Skid Row.
1916 PROHIBITION PUTS LARIMER BACK ON THE MAP The onset of state-wide prohibition in 1916 transformed Gahan’s Saloon into Gahan’s Soft Drink Parlor . However, legend has it that the basement housed Denver’s hottest speakeasy.
1950'S LARIMER CAN’T COME BACK FROM THE BRINK Following WWII, most of Denver started to boom. Larimer Street, however, still housed 46 bars, 57 flophouses, 17 pawn shops and 22 secondhand stores. The city began to consider demolition of old Larimer Street, including the 1400 block. Dana Crawford shown here with Denver mayor Tom Currigan in front of Lincoln Hall.
1965 DANA CRAWFORD SAVES LARIMER SQUARE
1971 LARIMER SQUARE IS NAMED DENVER’S FIRST HISTORIC DISTRICT This set the beginning of the revitalization of downtown Denver
2015 LARIMER SQUARE CELEBRATES 50 YEARS In Larimer Square’s 50 years, it has transformed from a famed skid row to a city center ripe with one-of-a- kind offerings. The Square’s oldest retailer, Gusterman Silversmiths , opened its doors in 1966 and remains a treasured tenant today. The 1978 opening of The Market has stood the test of time as well, and many notable and award-winning chefs have joined the success of The Square. Chef Jennifer Jasinksi’s Rioja and chef Troy Guard’s TAG Restaurant are among these, proving that Larimer Square is constantly evolving as one of Denver’s most prized spaces
The End Fonda Apostolopoulos, P.E. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Fonda.Apostolopoulos@state.co.us
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