A group dedicated to preserving the historic fabric of Denver Union Station is raising money to build a replica of the Mizpah/Welcome Arch that served as a gateway to the city from 1906 to 1931.
Union Station Advocates, co- chaired by preservationist Dana Crawford, is kicking off its campaign to fund the project with a party Oct. 15 at Union Station.
“We’re going to raise $100,000 to get it started,” Crawford said. “We don’t know exactly how much it’s going to cost, but by the middle of September, we should know where it’s going to be placed.”
The planned resurrection of the arch comes as the historic train station is poised to undergo a $500 million redevelopment. The arch project must be approved by the Denver Union Station Project Authority.
The Mizpah Arch stood in front of Union Station at 17th and Wynkoop streets. A huge “welcome” sign sitting atop the 70-ton, bronze-coated steel gateway was illuminated by 2,194 light bulbs.
Mizpah is a Hebrew parting phrase meaning, “The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another.”
Mayor Robert Speer formally dedicated the arch July 4, 1906, declaring: “It is to stand here for the ages as an expression of the good wishes and kind feeling of our citizens to the stranger who enters our gates.”
The arch was removed Dec. 7, 1931, after being deemed a traffic hazard, Crawford said.
Crawford noted that nowadays, wedding parties posing for photos often tie up traffic in front of Union Station.
“The ghost of the arch is still there,” she said.
The group’s fundraising party will run from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 15 at Union Station. Participating restaurants include Jax, McCormick’s, Morton’s, Gumbo’s and Bistro Vendome. Coors is donating beer.
Entertainment will include mimes, contortionists and palm readers throughout the station. Guests are encouraged to wear historic attire, with prizes awarded for best costumes.
Tickets range from $40 for entrance to the Speakeasy in the train-departure tunnel to $200 for an oyster bar on the mezzanine level.
Sponsorship levels range from $5,000 to $25,000. Tickets will be available at www.blacktie-colorado.com.
Margaret Jackson: 303-954-1473 or mjackson@denverpost.com
This article has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, due to a reporting error, it had an incorrect location for the Mizpah Arch. It was located in front of Union Station at 17th and Wynkoop streets.
