Guide Line Review

WALKING LoDo . . .

A special "thank you, Valerie Booze", for organizing this RMGA program, a LoDo Tour, using RMGA guides--a most interesting evening!  A LoDo introduction from Tom Jensen told us this Historic District covers 23-square blocks, bordered by Wynkoop, Blake, Speer and 20th Streets.  The settlement of early Denver over the years became industrial, then a "skid row" blemished by neglected buildings, dirty streets, crumbling viaducts, and often the homeless cuddling their bottles--not an inviting place to visit.  Hotels and railroads had increased after the rail arrival in 1870.

Forward-looking developers, with visions of what the area could be, began refurbishing old buildings in Larimer Square.  It was a success.  Cautiously others developed dreams and ventures of their own.  Success followed.  Feeling an ambiance, some wanted their offices in LoDo.  Others wanted to live in these old buildings--make them their home.  Restaurants, bars, and commerce moved into sites between Blake and Union Station.  The 16th Street Mall had been extended--viaducts came down.  Connections to other sporting venues opened, and the blocks eventually became a National Historic District in 1988.  Plaques were placed on buildings; vintage lighting topped light poles, helping to tell the story.  Coors Baseball Stadium, 20th and Blake Streets, opened in the mid-1990s.  The District now includes 20,000 residents, about 90 bars, restaurants, shops, and the Stadium.

The Ice House, 1801 Wynkoop St., was built in 1903 for Littleton Creamery, wholesaler of butter, cream, cheese and dairy.
   * Beatrice Company bought in 1912
   * Provided Ice to the railroad and cold storage, including furs
   * Sold in 1981.  No cold storage activity for two years, but 2-3 feet of ice remained on ceiling.
   * Now home to two restaurants and condominiums.

(Commentary by Tom Jensen)

The J.S. Brown Mercantile Building, 1634 - 18th St., was a cornerstone of the young Denver economy as it was close to Union Station.  After his death, Brown's sons took over the business, sold it to Morey Mercantile in 1913.   In 1988, purchased by local group to house Denver's first local brew pub.  Ownership included current Governor John Hickenlooper.  The building is now home to Wynkoop Brewery & Restaurant, the Comedy Club, and residential lofts. 
(Valerie Booze) 

Union Station, 17th & Wynkoop Sts.  If the railroads won't come to Denver, the City will go to the railroads.  By 1870; 106 miles of track were laid to connect with first transcontinental railroad passing thru Cheyenne, Wyoming, to the north.
   * Facility was consolidation of four different depots in 1881.
   * Hey-day in 1920s - 30s.  In 1958 more people traveled by train than air.

  Denver City Railway Building, 1635 - 17th St. 
   * First horse-drawn car line in 1871.

   * Built in 1882 as main car barn.  By 1883, owners had 15 1/2 miles of track, 45 cars, 200 horses, 100 employees.  1st floor         offices, waiting room, horse-car storage.  
   * Horses stabled on 2nd & 3rd floor, 4th floor contained hay and grain   
   * 1892, horse-drawn cars replaced by electric and cable-car systems
   * Sold 1902, used by a mining equipment company for 70 years.  Currently upper floors with lofts, retail on ground floor.  Lofts       at top have patio/recreation area, "false front" windows.  Prior to restoration to present use, odor of horses still in building--        prominent on rainy days! 
(Barbara Johnson) 

Barteldes Building, 1600 Wynkoop St.  Built 1908; designed by architects Gove & Walsh (architects: Littleton Creamery, Morey Mercantile Bldg., and Sugar Bldg.).  Exterior:  textured brickwork.  Painted name on exterior a method of early advertising makes it easy to identification today.  Second floor doors opened onto 16th St. viaduct, demolished several years ago; entry now at street level.  The building was a seed factory with grain and hay storage.  The building is now residences today. 
(Jody Calton)

Chester Morey Mercantile Building, 1528 - 16th St.  Built in 1896--"Jewel" of Warehouse Row.
   * Chester Morey to Denver in 1872, due to tuberculosis. 
   * Developed cattle and grocery businesses.
   * 1894 began largest mercantile in the West.  1901 turned mercantile over to son John.  Chester became president of Great           West Sugar Company and bought out
   * J.S. Brown Mercantile in 1937.  In 1956 the Morey Mercantile was sold.
   * 1994 renovation now has 2nd Tattered Cover Bookstore located on several floors. 

(Lupe Duran)

Former Colorado Saddlery, 15th & Wynkoop Sts.   Built 1906--largest warehouse on Wynkoop, home to plumbing company.  1945:  became home to Colorado Saddlery Company--four young men wanted to keep part of western tradition alive by making custom western saddles and supplies.  Fragrance of leather permeated building.  When last original partner retired; son moved business to Arvada; building sold; $6-7 million in restoration.  Home to retail, lofts, offices. 
(Jody Calton & Lupe Duran)

Spratlen-Anderson Building, 1628 - 15th St., built as home to Spratlen-Anderson Mercantile.  Previously on site of Washington Hotel and Studebaker Buggy and Carriage House businesses.
   * New building had 4 floors--5th added before completion.  Sixth floor added in 1911.  
      Architect: Frank Edbrooke (Brown Palace fame and includes "Brown Palace Arch")  - out of business in 1923.
   * Other "lives" as home for drug company and upholstery company   
   * 1915 water tower restored for aesthetics.  Currently home for lofts
(Lily Ewing)

Wazee Supper Club, 1600 - 15th St., comprised of three buildings.  First listed business in 1883 was Bon-Ton Saloon.  Numerous machinery businesses have made these buildings home.  In 1954 returned to original use--now the Wazee Supper Club was purchased in 1974 by Karagas Brothers who later owned My Brothers' Bar and is still operated by the family--longest continuously operating business at this site.
(Lily Ewing)

Elephant Corral, 1444 Wazee St.   1859 Original structure of canvas, dirt floor and water barrel for livestock or guests extended to Denver Hall on Blake Street.
  * Had 8-foot high fence to help prevent horse stealing.  Also a protection if/when  Indian raid took place.
  * Place for emigrants to trade oxen, which had brought settlers/miners across plains, for mules
  * 1863, destroyed by fire along with several other businesses
  * 1902 is the date of oldest parts of today's building.  Name a marketing gimmick or named by emigrants seeking riches.
  * Latest renovation completed in 1981. 

(Ed Weising)  

1509 Blake Street is currently a parking lot.  Denver was in competition with Auraria and had Larimer Pikes Peak    Express end here.  It was also the site of the 1866 First National Bank of Denver Building.  In 1875-76, delegates to state's Constitutional Convention met here--it became known as Constitution Hall (1876 Constitution approved, Colorado a State in 1876). An arson fire in 1977 did not leave enough to save. 
(Ed Weising)

The Barney Ford Building, 1514 Blake St.  Ford was born a slave, escaped to Chicago, assisted with Underground Railroad, then went to South America, then returned, and finally to Colorado to seek gold. 
  * Building burned in 1863.  Borrowed $9,000 from bank to rebuild--paid off within stipulated loan time.  The new building had        People's Restaurant on main floor, barber shop in basement and saloon upstairs. 
  * Currently location of India House Restaurant. 
(Ed Weising)

Sugar Building, 1530 - 16th St., originally built in 1906 with a two-story addition in 1912.  Sugar Beet business boomed!
  * Administrative offices for Great West Sugar Company; warehouse area faced Wazee St.
  * Successful growth required further expansion of administrative space.  By 1920, entire site was administrative.
  * Inside main doors, brass open-cage Otis Elevator; claim to have oldest working system of its kind West/Mississippi River
  * Additional warehouse stories added in 1916  

(Terryl Lofgren)

Henry Lee Building, 1545 Wazee St.  This 1886 building was to house growing operations of Henry Lee's implement business.  Known as one of "fathers" of Denver Park system, he sponsored a bill allowing purchase of 320 acres which became City Park.  Lee brought first "chilled steel" plow (also known as a self-cleaning plow) to State.   In 1907, Chester Morey purchased the building to allow expansion of his mercantile usiness.  Construction of second-story enclosed-walkway connected the two buildings.  Factory operations occurred here with spice mill, jams and jellies, peanut butter and coffee roasting with company offices on first floor.  The 1594 the Wazee facade reconstructed in metal due to structural issues. In 1995 the building was restored and is now home of Dixon's Restaurant, loft housing and Tattered Cover Bookstore. 
(Terryl Lofgren)

Rockmount Building, 1626 Wazee St., was constructed in 1909 and served as home of Wolf Manufacturing until 1927.
   * Rockmount Western Wear started business in 1945 and is the last remaining wholesale clothing firm in area. 
   * It was started by Jack A. Weil who worked at company until 2008 death at age of 107 years.  Weil's son Jack B. Weil worked       with him in the business.   Company created the specialty Western-wear shirt for the working cowboy with flap pockets, 

      tearaway snap fasteners and slim-fitted styling. 
   * Company ownership now in third generation of family business; Steve Weil as "Boss"!  Products for both men and women           sold all over world--often by e-mail or long distance telephone calls! 
   * Small Western-wear museum located on second floor of building! 
(Barbara Johnson)

The Oxford Hotel, 1600 - 17th St., first opened for business October 3, 1891, and is Denver's oldest operating hotel.  Financial backing was by a group led by Philip Zang.  Architect Frank Edbrooke designed the hotel.  The original structure of five stories, close to Union Station, was an immediate success.  It had been built with the latest technology--its own power plant, steam-heating system, gas and electric lighting, and with each floor having bath rooms and separate water closets.  A 1902 addition was followed by the building of an Annex in 1912.  Business was brisk until after World War II when both train travel and the area declined. Services for guests included dining rooms, a barbershop, a library and pharmacy, a Western Union office, stables and a saloon area.

The 1933 Cruise Room Martini Bar, modeled after the lounge on the Queen Mary, opened with an Art Deco Decor in 1933, right after the lifting of Prohibition, and is a national historic place in itself!  Following a multi-year restoration, costing more than $12 million, the Hotel held a grand reopening in 1984.  The ceiling in the lobby has the original gold leaf.  An extensive Western Art collection is found throughout the Hotel.

A tour of the Oxford Hotel, as well as commentary, was provided by Amy Stansberry, Oxford Sales Director.

 

The walking tour of the Lower Downtown Historic District started at Union Station and ended at the Oxford Hotel.  

The area known today as "Lower Downtown" (LoDo) is the location of the original town site of Denver (north bank of Cherry Creek).  Gold seekers from Lawrence, Kansas, staked the first claim in September, 1858, under the name St. Charles Town Association, but they left only one man to protect their claim.  Later that same year, another group from Kansas persuaded the lone man to relinquish the claim.  General William Larimer named the site in honor of Kansas Territorial Governor James William Denver, to ensure the success of this new claim.

We will walk LoDo looking at some of the earlier buildings and discussing the history of each one.  The tour will be give by members of our Association who give regular tours in LoDo.

Walking  Tour of Lower Downtown (LoDo)