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Denver Then & Now, Denver, CO (2025)

06/02/2025

Facing northwest at the intersection of 15th Street and Curtis Street (1950s) & (2025)

1️⃣ About the tower

◾️Opened in 1911 as the focal point of the Daniels & Fisher department store

◾️Was used for employee lounges, break rooms, lunchrooms, a hospital, a school, the office of the store manager and the observation tower

◾️Designed by Frederick Sterner and George H. Williamson in the style of Italian Renaissance revival

◾️Was modeled after The Campanile (St. Mark's Bell Tower) at the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy

◾️Located at 1601 Arapahoe Street

◾️Stands at 21 stories tall with a height of 325 feet (375 counting the flagpole) with 20-floors

◾️Building materials consist of a steel frame, a blond brick exterior and decorated with terracotta trim

◾️A 2½ ton bell hangs within the top 2 floors

◾️All 4 sides display Seth-Thomas clocks, each 16-feet in diameter

◾️During its peak years, the observation deck attracted about 1,500 people a day in the summertime

◾️William Pierson of KBPI-FM used the tower as a signal transmitter in the 1960s

◾️Was the tallest structure in Denver for 46 years

2️⃣ Times change

◾️The May Company purchased D&F in 1958 and operations were moved out of the location

◾️In 1967 the Denver Urban Renewal Authority’s Skyline Renewal Project called for the demolition of most buildings within a 27-block parcel in Denver

◾️The Denver Landmark Preservation Commission convinced the city council to declare the D&F Tower a landmark, thus saving it from demolition

◾️It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 3, 1969

◾️D.U.R.A demolished the rest of the department store from 1970-71 with the Skyline Urban Renewal Project

◾️The tower sat mostly unused for years

◾️In 1981 the interior was renovated into residential and office spaces

3️⃣ As of today

◾️In the 1990s, tenants of the tower, Richard Hentzell and Michael Urbana spearheaded an extensive renovation plan with help from several State Historical Fund grants

◾️The tower currently houses offices, condominiums, an event venue on the upper floors, a cabaret event space in the basement, an observation tower, and the clocks are still fully functional

06/02/2025

Facing northwest at the intersection of 15th Street and Curtis Street (1950s) & (2025)

1️⃣ About the tower

◾️Opened in 1911 as the focal point of the Daniels & Fisher department store

◾️Was used for employee lounges, break rooms, lunchrooms, a hospital, a school, the office of the store manager and the observation tower

◾️Designed by Frederick Sterner and George H. Williamson in the style of Italian Renaissance revival

◾️Was modeled after The Campanile (St. Mark's Bell Tower) at the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy

◾️Located at 1601 Arapahoe Street

◾️Stands at 21 stories tall with a height of 325 feet (375 counting the flagpole) with 20-floors

◾️Building materials consist of a steel frame, a blond brick exterior and decorated with terracotta trim

◾️A 2½ ton bell hangs within the top 2 floors

◾️All 4 sides display Seth-Thomas clocks, each 16-feet in diameter

◾️During its peak years, the observation deck attracted about 1,500 people a day in the summertime

◾️William Pierson of KBPI-FM used the tower as a signal transmitter in the 1960s

◾️Was the tallest structure in Denver for 46 years

2️⃣ Times change

◾️The May Company purchased D&F in 1958 and operations were moved out of the location

◾️In 1967 the Denver Urban Renewal Authority’s Skyline Renewal Project called for the demolition of most buildings within a 27-block parcel in Denver

◾️The Denver Landmark Preservation Commission convinced the city council to declare the D&F Tower a landmark, thus saving it from demolition

◾️It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 3, 1969

◾️D.U.R.A demolished the rest of the department store from 1970-71 with the Skyline Urban Renewal Project

◾️The tower sat mostly unused for years

◾️In 1981 the interior was renovated into residential and office spaces

3️⃣ As of today

◾️In the 1990s, tenants of the tower, Richard Hentzell and Michael Urbana spearheaded an extensive renovation plan with help from several State Historical Fund grants

◾️The tower currently houses offices, condominiums, an event venue on the upper floors, a cabaret event space in the basement, an observation tower, and the clocks are still fully functional

05/27/2025

Looking west on 46th Avenue at Sheridan Boulevard (1920’s) & (2024)

When I think of Lakeside Amusement Park, I think of my childhood. I went every year from the 70’s to the 90's. My dad worked for Western Electric, and they would rent out the entire amusement park for their company picnic. When I was young, my brother would take me on Rock-o-plane (1948). Every year he promised he would not lock the cage upside down, so it felt like we were going to fall headfirst into Lake Rhoda, but he did it anyway. The Cyclone coaster (1940) was fantastic. The only restraint was a simple rope that was wedged between two wooden grip pieces. I dared myself to keep my hands in the air the whole ride. The Wild Chipmunk (1955) had no restraints. While sitting in a little cart named Alvin, I held on for dear life while being whiplashed around. After being mesmerized by Laffing Sal in front of the Fun House (1924), I just hoped I wouldn’t get hurt on the slides, the spinning tunnel, or the steps that slid up and down. While in the Crystal Palace, I would try my best so I wouldn’t smash my face into one of the see-through panels. The Round-up, (1954) used centrifugal force as you spun and raised to a 45° angle. I tried to bend my legs so they weren’t touching the floor and then tried to pull my head forward. As a pr***en, I rode on the upside down thrill rides Roll-o-plane (1934) and Loop-o-plane (1933) and lost everything from my pockets. Every year my Mom insisted that we rode the train around the lake, because it was her favorite ride. In the late 80’s and early 90’s, I brought my two oldest kids to Kiddieland, where their favorite rides were the roller coaster, the Ferris wheel, and the log ride. In the 2010's I took my three youngest adult children, and shared memories with them. We laughed and we screamed all night long, having so much fun at a 100 year old amusement park.

05/27/2025

Looking west on 46th Avenue at Sheridan Boulevard (1920’s) & (2024)

When I think of Lakeside Amusement Park, I think of my childhood. I went every year from the 70’s to the 90's. My dad worked for Western Electric, and they would rent out the entire amusement park for their company picnic. When I was young, my brother would take me on Rock-o-plane (1948). Every year he promised he would not lock the cage upside down, so it felt like we were going to fall headfirst into Lake Rhoda, but he did it anyway. The Cyclone coaster (1940) was fantastic. The only restraint was a simple rope that was wedged between two wooden grip pieces. I dared myself to keep my hands in the air the whole ride. The Wild Chipmunk (1955) had no restraints. While sitting in a little cart named Alvin, I held on for dear life while being whiplashed around. After being mesmerized by Laffing Sal in front of the Fun House (1924), I just hoped I wouldn’t get hurt on the slides, the spinning tunnel, or the steps that slid up and down. While in the Crystal Palace, I would try my best so I wouldn’t smash my face into one of the see-through panels. The Round-up, (1954) used centrifugal force as you spun and raised to a 45° angle. I tried to bend my legs so they weren’t touching the floor and then tried to pull my head forward. As a pr***en, I rode on the upside down thrill rides Roll-o-plane (1934) and Loop-o-plane (1933) and lost everything from my pockets. Every year my Mom insisted that we rode the train around the lake, because it was her favorite ride. In the late 80’s and early 90’s, I brought my two oldest kids to Kiddieland, where their favorite rides were the roller coaster, the Ferris wheel, and the log ride. In the 2010's I took my three youngest adult children, and shared memories with them. We laughed and we screamed all night long, having so much fun at a 100 year old amusement park.

05/19/2025

Looking east from 4th Avenue and Broadway (1994) & (2025)

The building at 404 Broadway was constructed in 1929 for the grocery store Piggly Wiggly. Back then, shoppers gave their orders to clerks who then gathered the goods from the store shelves. After it closed, a couple other grocery stores; Jack Spratt and Butler Lewis were also in that building for a short time. It then stood vacant until 1933.
After Prohibition ended, Clyde Shepherd opened The Red Lantern Café. It remained open for about twenty years. In 1951, a 20 year old DU law student, Jerry Feld (who wasn’t old enough to own a bar) purchased the building. For 61 years Club 404 was run as a family business. It was known for its iconic sign (that originally had neon and bulbs on it), the friendly staff, and low-priced food and drinks. Feld would often cash union workers checks, who worked along 4th Ave, every Friday. In 2012 Feld sold the Club to another DU alumni Andrew Cadwell. The bicycle-themed bar was opened as Denver Wheel Club 404. The club never really took off, and was sold later that year. Kevin Geraghty acquired it in 2012 and opened Brendan's 404 Pub. In 2017 Geraghty renovated the space and reopened it as Rory’s Tavern. The new pub hosted Irish music sessions, singer-songwriter nights, charity events, and full bands on weekends until it closed in 2020.
In December 2021 Kerry and Jeannie O'Brien reopened it as Bar 404. It’s been a hub for local talent and a go-to spot for music lovers. It has an eclectic atmosphere, and a dedicated music hall that showcases a variety of genres, DJs, and open mic nights. I recently went to a Punchfunk concert and album release party there, the crowd and the atmosphere was electric.

05/19/2025

Looking east from 4th Avenue and Broadway (1994) & (2025)

The building at 404 Broadway was constructed in 1929 for the grocery store Piggly Wiggly. Back then, shoppers gave their orders to clerks who then gathered the goods from the store shelves. After it closed, a couple other grocery stores; Jack Spratt and Butler Lewis were also in that building for a short time. It then stood vacant until 1933.
After Prohibition ended, Clyde Shepherd opened The Red Lantern Café. It remained open for about twenty years. In 1951, a 20 year old DU law student, Jerry Feld (who wasn’t old enough to own a bar) purchased the building. For 61 years Club 404 was run as a family business. It was known for its iconic sign (that originally had neon and bulbs on it), the friendly staff, and low-priced food and drinks. Feld would often cash union workers checks, who worked along 4th Ave, every Friday. In 2012 Feld sold the Club to another DU alumni Andrew Cadwell. The bicycle-themed bar was opened as Denver Wheel Club 404. The club never really took off, and was sold later that year. Kevin Geraghty acquired it in 2012 and opened Brendan's 404 Pub. In 2017 Geraghty renovated the space and reopened it as Rory’s Tavern. The new pub hosted Irish music sessions, singer-songwriter nights, charity events, and full bands on weekends until it closed in 2020.
In December 2021 Kerry and Jeannie O'Brien reopened it as Bar 404. It’s been a hub for local talent and a go-to spot for music lovers. It has an eclectic atmosphere, and a dedicated music hall that showcases a variety of genres, DJs, and open mic nights. I recently went to a Punchfunk concert and album release party there, the crowd and the atmosphere was electric.

05/14/2025

Facing north on Vallejo Street at 30th Avenue (1890s?) & (2025)

The structure pictured below at 3011 Vallejo Street was originally constructed in 1890 as the Asbury United Methodist Episcopal Church. It was built in Richardsonian Romanesque style using the Ashlar masonry technique. The stones of the building were excavated from nearby areas in Colorado, with the sandstone from Manitou Springs and the Rhyolite from Castle Rock. The church was named in honor of Francis Asbury, an English-born Bishop who helped form the Methodist Episcopal Church in America.

I can’t find an exact date, but the original congregation that was formed ceased operations and no longer occupies the space.

The building is currently used as a wedding and event venue called The Kirk of Highland.

Although the Asbury Church is no more, in recent years “Trinity Church of Denver” has held services within the building.

Due to its position high upon a hill just outside of downtown, this building is clearly visible from so many places around the city. Many people might not know what it is, but they would recognize it when they see these pictures.

◾️Notes From Tanner
I think it’s so interesting that congregations are commonly outlasted by the buildings in which they occupy. So many houses of worship that were originally constructed for religious purposes have over time been converted into office space, retail, event venues or even residences!

05/14/2025

Facing north on Vallejo Street at 30th Avenue (1890s?) & (2025)

The structure pictured below at 3011 Vallejo Street was originally constructed in 1890 as the Asbury United Methodist Episcopal Church. It was built in Richardsonian Romanesque style using the Ashlar masonry technique. The stones of the building were excavated from nearby areas in Colorado, with the sandstone from Manitou Springs and the Rhyolite from Castle Rock. The church was named in honor of Francis Asbury, an English-born Bishop who helped form the Methodist Episcopal Church in America.

I can’t find an exact date, but the original congregation that was formed ceased operations and no longer occupies the space.

The building is currently used as a wedding and event venue called The Kirk of Highland.

Although the Asbury Church is no more, in recent years “Trinity Church of Denver” has held services within the building.

Due to its position high upon a hill just outside of downtown, this building is clearly visible from so many places around the city. Many people might not know what it is, but they would recognize it when they see these pictures.

◾️Notes From Tanner
I think it’s so interesting that congregations are commonly outlasted by the buildings in which they occupy. So many houses of worship that were originally constructed for religious purposes have over time been converted into office space, retail, event venues or even residences!

05/05/2025

Looking west from the steps of The Colorado State Capitol at 200 East Colfax Avenue (1932) & (2024)

Mayor Speer based the Denver Civic Center on the ‘City Beautiful’ ideas from the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In 1916, Chicago architect Edward H. Bennett designed Denver’s Civic Center. It's an American expression of Beaux-Arts classicism derived from historic motifs of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. He then added the Greek amphitheater, the Colonnade, and the Seal Pond to the park, and it was officially opened in 1919. The City and County Building wasn’t finished until 1932. Starting in 1938 it has been adorned with Christmas lights (see a previous post).
The Civic Center has always been a gathering place for events. It has seen celebrations for the Denver Bronco’s Super Bowl wins, the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup wins, and the Nuggets Finals win. Other events include: campaign stops for President Obama, John Kerry, political protest and rallies, vigils, numerous parades, The Taste of Colorado, concerts, Pridefest, Cinco de Mayo festival, and the Christkindlmart. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 2012.
The bronze statue “On Guard” was installed in front of the State Capitol in 1909, to memorialize Colorado’s role in the Civil War. In later years it was seen as a reminder of atrocities committed against Indigenous people, and a symbol of white supremacy and injustice. In June of 2020, during the Black Lives Matter protests, it was torn down by demonstrators. Currently it is on display at History Colorado Center.
The Civic Center holds a special place in my heart, I grew up in Denver and over the years I have spent a lot of time there. My favorite memories include the lighting of the Christmas lights, the First Bronco’s Super Bowl win celebration, and the concerts during “The Taste”.

05/05/2025

Looking west from the steps of The Colorado State Capitol at 200 East Colfax Avenue (1932) & (2024)

Mayor Speer based the Denver Civic Center on the ‘City Beautiful’ ideas from the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In 1916, Chicago architect Edward H. Bennett designed Denver’s Civic Center. It's an American expression of Beaux-Arts classicism derived from historic motifs of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. He then added the Greek amphitheater, the Colonnade, and the Seal Pond to the park, and it was officially opened in 1919. The City and County Building wasn’t finished until 1932. Starting in 1938 it has been adorned with Christmas lights (see a previous post).
The Civic Center has always been a gathering place for events. It has seen celebrations for the Denver Bronco’s Super Bowl wins, the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup wins, and the Nuggets Finals win. Other events include: campaign stops for President Obama, John Kerry, political protest and rallies, vigils, numerous parades, The Taste of Colorado, concerts, Pridefest, Cinco de Mayo festival, and the Christkindlmart. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 2012.
The bronze statue “On Guard” was installed in front of the State Capitol in 1909, to memorialize Colorado’s role in the Civil War. In later years it was seen as a reminder of atrocities committed against Indigenous people, and a symbol of white supremacy and injustice. In June of 2020, during the Black Lives Matter protests, it was torn down by demonstrators. Currently it is on display at History Colorado Center.
The Civic Center holds a special place in my heart, I grew up in Denver and over the years I have spent a lot of time there. My favorite memories include the lighting of the Christmas lights, the First Bronco’s Super Bowl win celebration, and the concerts during “The Taste”.

04/28/2025

Looking east (1909) & (2024)

Cheesman Park is named after Denver’s successful businessman Walter Scott Cheesman. His many accomplishments include; partnering with Moffett and Evans to bring the first railroad to Denver, construction of Union Station, establishing the Denver Union Water Company, donating money to build the Cheesman Dam, founded the Colorado Electric Company, was president of the Colorado Humane Society, and served on the Denver Parks Committee.

After his passing in 1907, his wife and children donated $100,000 for a park pavilion, and the park was renamed Cheesman Park. More information on the park will follow in another post.

In 1908 the Cheesman Memorial was built on a high knoll on the east side of the park. Following Mayor Speer “City Beautiful” plan it was designed in the neoclassical style on a raised platform, and was constructed with Colorado Yule marble. The retaining walls were adorned in ashlar masonry and topped by decorative balustrades. The fountains were installed in the walls, and in the style of an Italian Renaissance Garden, it was inset with grand staircases that approach the Memorial. At the base were three large reflecting pools that were used as wading pools in the summertime, until the 1970’s. It is commonly referred to as the Pavilion.

From 1934 to 1972 Helen Bonfils, the owner of the Denver Post, produced operas and musicals at the Pavilion. She fully funded these productions, and offered them free of charge. As many as 20,000 people attended each of these events.

I remember as a child going to see “Hello Dolly” and “The Sound of Music” with my family. It is where my love of musicals started. The Pavilion is also where we had numerous family pictures taken over the years.

Having suffered the effects of age and weather, the Pavilion was in disrepair by the1970’s. City authorities undertook the restoration. They replaced the platform with gentler sloping lawns and concrete stairs. This redesign was to improve accessibility and functionality, while preserving the historical significance of the park. The Pavilion is a designated Denver Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

04/28/2025

Looking east (1909) & (2024)

Cheesman Park is named after Denver’s successful businessman Walter Scott Cheesman. His many accomplishments include; partnering with Moffett and Evans to bring the first railroad to Denver, construction of Union Station, establishing the Denver Union Water Company, donating money to build the Cheesman Dam, founded the Colorado Electric Company, was president of the Colorado Humane Society, and served on the Denver Parks Committee.

After his passing in 1907, his wife and children donated $100,000 for a park pavilion, and the park was renamed Cheesman Park. More information on the park will follow in another post.

In 1908 the Cheesman Memorial was built on a high knoll on the east side of the park. Following Mayor Speer “City Beautiful” plan it was designed in the neoclassical style on a raised platform, and was constructed with Colorado Yule marble. The retaining walls were adorned in ashlar masonry and topped by decorative balustrades. The fountains were installed in the walls, and in the style of an Italian Renaissance Garden, it was inset with grand staircases that approach the Memorial. At the base were three large reflecting pools that were used as wading pools in the summertime, until the 1970’s. It is commonly referred to as the Pavilion.

From 1934 to 1972 Helen Bonfils, the owner of the Denver Post, produced operas and musicals at the Pavilion. She fully funded these productions, and offered them free of charge. As many as 20,000 people attended each of these events.

I remember as a child going to see “Hello Dolly” and “The Sound of Music” with my family. It is where my love of musicals started. The Pavilion is also where we had numerous family pictures taken over the years.

Having suffered the effects of age and weather, the Pavilion was in disrepair by the1970’s. City authorities undertook the restoration. They replaced the platform with gentler sloping lawns and concrete stairs. This redesign was to improve accessibility and functionality, while preserving the historical significance of the park. The Pavilion is a designated Denver Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Denver Then & Now

06/02/2025

06/02/2025

05/27/2025

05/27/2025

05/19/2025

05/19/2025

05/14/2025

05/14/2025

05/05/2025

05/05/2025

04/28/2025

04/28/2025

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