Democrats from across the country gathering in the Mile High City in August 2008 will be welcome. When they were last here in 1908, they inaugurated the Auditorium Theatre, which was renovated two years ago. In 1908, the city’s population was just over 200,000; today, it is more than 557,917, the hub of a booming metropolis.
In addition to political activities, planners want visitors to see what makes Denver special, why it’s unique, how it exemplifies the spirit of the West, both old and new. There’s strong magic in our past.
What places and sites in the city best illustrate the true Denver character?
I asked some people who have identified, nurtured and fought for these characteristics: Barbara Pahl, regional head of the National Trust for Historic Places; Mark Wolfe, director of the State Historical Fund, which has given more than 3,000 grants totaling $176 million from gambling revenues to communities to preserve and maintain their historical legacies; Mark Rodman, executive director of Colorado Preservation Inc.; and Kathleen Brooker, Historic Denver’s president.
Where do they take visitors to best show off Denver?
Historic Civic Center, surrounded by major cultural and governmental buildings, was an early 1900s homage to the City Beautiful movement. In the summer, it will be dazzling with flower beds in full bloom.
Across Broadway, the 16th Street Mall shuttle invites travelers to a free journey to peruse downtown, including Lower Downtown, where Denver began and site of one of the nation’s largest collections of Victorian brick commercial buildings and warehouses, now sizzling with condominiums, restaurants and galleries. Larimer Square was a national pioneer in 20th century uses for Victorian buildings.
Stroll across the Millenium Bridge, then the pedestrian bridge over Interstate 25, and you’re in the Highlands, looking back at rare view of downtown. The Greenway Foundation led the way to make Cherry Creek and the South Platte River urban showplaces, as well as valuable links to our regional biking and hiking trails.
Our parks – both in the city and the foothills – are the city’s pride and joy. They were the first ever to be listed on the National Register for Historic Places and bring much beauty to our neighborhoods.
There’s a fabulous collection of individual buildings.
The Daniels and Fisher Tower was a beacon across the prairies from 1912, a landmark of the Big City luring locals and tourists for miles. A few blocks away, the 1889 Tramway Cable Building (now the Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant), is a masterpiece of the bricklayer’s art and a reminder that once Denver had the most streetcar cable of any city in the nation. On 17th Street, the Equitable Building boats a magnificent marble lobby and gorgeous stained glass windows. On 15th Street, look at the 1910 Gas and Electric Company building, ablaze with 13,000 light bulbs.
Have tea at the venerable Brown Palace, dinner at The Buckhorn, with all those animal heads watching and home of the state’s first liquor license.
These are not just our landmarks, but the basis for the blossoming heritage tourism that enriches both conference and individual travel. Colorado is exploring and embracing the concept, helping to bring dollars to rural communities as well as show visitors the road less traveled.
What are the places you think are unique and paramount to Denver’s image, and why? Write me care of The Post at columns@denverpost.com.
If you have interest in these issues, don’t miss Colorado Preservation Inc.’s annual conference Feb. 7-9, “Planning, Growth and Preservation,” which will recount the battles and tools needed to make a difference. It’s at El Jebel Shrine Temple, 1770 Sherman St. For more information, go to www.coloradopreservation.org, call 303-893- 4260 or fax 303-893-4333.
Joanne Ditmer’s column on environmental and urban issues for The Post began in 1962 and now appears once a month.
