History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 6

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company
Publication date: 1889-95
Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co.
Number of Pages: 791

USA > Colorado > History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV > Part 6

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

St. James Hotel .- The old Wentworth house; next adjoining south, residence of Rodney Curtis, and on the corner the First Congregational church.

Tritch Block .- Curtis and 16th, T. G. Anderson's skating rink, the old City market-small fruit stands.

Federal Post Office .- Residence of Geo. W. McClure. In very early times Isador Badolet had a log cabin there, on or near the corner.

Charles Block .- Curtis and 15th, residence of John Q. Charles; frame house, with beautiful grounds.

Walbrach Block .- Sixteenth and Champa. Residence of Mark A. Schaffen- burg, also of C. Walbrach.

Barth Block .- Sixteenth and Stout. Residence of William Barth.

Symes Block .- Two-story frame residence on the corner. Part of this block on Champa street was long occupied by the United States district court.

Steele Block .- Sixteenth and Stout. Residence of Dr. H. K. Steele.

Mack Block .- Sixteenth and California. Residence of John J. Riethman.

HIayden & Dickinson Building .- Sixteenth and California. Residence of Gen. WV. H. Lessig. Beautiful grounds.

McNamara Building .- Erected and still owned by John J. Riethman. Originally the property of L. F. Bartels, used as a florist's garden. Afterward a skating rink. Senator Voorhies of Indiana, Terence V. Powderly and other national celebrities made speeches there.

McClintock Block .- Sixteenth and California. A small frame residence.

Masonie Temple .- Residence of A. Jacobs, built by Henry Fuerstein.

Bancroft Block .- Sixteenth and Stout. Residence in early days of D. Tom Smith. Afterward of Dr. F. J. Bancroft; fine grounds. The home was a wedding present to Mrs. Bancroft by her father.

Cambridge Bloek .- (Woman's Exchange) Residence of W. G. Fisher, and Chas. H. Reynolds.

Kittridge Bloek .- Sixteenth and Glenarm. Residence of Judge D. B. Graham. Other small cottages on the site.

Toltec Block .- Seventeenth and Stout. Residence of F. A. Keener.

Jacobson Building .- Sixteenth and Arapahoe. Two-story brick residence of Luke Dubois. On the alley stood his livery stable, afterward owned by Geo. II. Esta brook, and later by B. D. Spencer. Col. Jacobson bought the property just before his death. For some years the corner was occupied by small fruit stands.

Arapahoe Building .- Arapahoe street. Residence and chicken ranch of Chas. G. Chever, who imported and distributed along Platte Valley about Littleton, the first live quail brought to Colorado. These were domesticated on the premises named above. A number of citizens subscribed the money to bring them here.

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

Bank Block .- Seventeenth and Arapahoe. Residence of Julius Mitchell.

Windsor Hotel .- Residence of J. H. Kehler, first sheriff of Arapahoe county, Kansas territory. Afterward, residence of Major John S. Fillmore, where he died. Later used as a school house, and still later as a carriage factory by Charles W. Mather.

St. John's Church .- (Corner of Arapahoe and 14th, incorporated by the legis- lature of 1865, as " St. John's Church in the Wilderness "). First, a little brick struc- ture on the alley, with a wooden bell tower in front. Subsequently extended to the corner. Bishop George M. Randall, a famous missionary and scholar, delivered many splendid sermons and lectures in this tiny little church: also his successor, Bishop Spalding. Revs. Finch and H. B. Hitchings ministered to its congregations. It was here that Rev. H. Martyn Hart, now Dean of St. John's Cathedral, preached his first sermon and received his call. The site is now occupied by the Haish Manual Training school, of the Denver University.

Byers Block .- East side of Arapahoe, between 15th and 16th. A very neat and attractive frame, built by Cooper & Wyatt in 1859 or '60. Then purchased by Joseph B. Cass, who resided there some years. Bought by Mr. Wm. N. Byers in 1864, who also occupied it many years. It was removed in 1882, and the Byers block erected. Beyond, toward 16th, was a small cottage occupied by A. H. Miles. On the opposite. or westerly side, was the brick residence of Mayor M. M. De Lano, where Generals Grant, Sherman and Sheridan were entertained during their first visit to Denver in 1868. It was subsequently owned by W. H. Pierce. Further on toward 16th, was the residence of Mrs. J. S. Fillmore; later rented to Governor Alexander Cummings and daughter. It was there I received my commission as secretary of Colorado ter- ritory in May, 1866, Near by stood a small frame building, occupied by General Emery U'pton as department headquarters while he commanded here. There Gen- eral Upton formulated his famous system of military tactics, afterward adopted by the War department. I saw the manuscript, and received from him an explanation of the new method of drill. He was a splendid officer, commanding a division of the celebrated Sixth corps during the Rebellion. He died at the Presidio, California, some years later.

Lothrop Block .- Corner 18th and Lawrence. Residence of Wilbur C. Lothrop.

King Block .- West side of Lawrence, between 16th and 17th. Resi- dence of John Hughes, who sold to George T. Clark, and subsequently regained possession of the property.

Markham Hotel .- Lawrence and 17th. Residence of J. H. Eames and Charles Lerchen. The Munger house was first built there, subsequently the Grand Central hotel. It was here I first met General J. W. Denver, for whom the city is named. House remodeled by Markham, Patterson & Thomas, and reopened under its present title.

Daniels & Fisher .- Corner 16th and Lawrence. Corner vacant. On part of the land was a little house occupied by a lame and very eccentric negro named " Old Lige," who did odd jobs, and among others pranced up and down the streets with a big hell searching for fost children. Everybody knew "Oll Lige."

Essex Building .- Rear of lot occupied by the Recorder's office. Arapahoe county.

Skinner Bros. & Wright. The oldl Denver theater, a large frame building origi- nally christened the Platte Valley theater. Purchased by Jack Langrishe in 1861. It was a public meeting house as well, and many distinguished men delivered addresses there. Our first railway may be said to have been born in that building. At any rate the plans for it were submitted to the people from its stage. Next below on 16th street stood the carpenter's shop of E. A. Willoughby, afterward the Bruns- wick hotel. now the May clothing house.

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

People's Bank Building .- Ground owned by George C. Schleier. Formerly occupied by a nest of small frame buildings.

Times Block .- When this ground was purchased by R. W. Woodbury, back in the "seventies," there was a small one-and-a-half-story, ugly looking, cheap brick building thereon, into which he moved his newspaper from the corner of 15th and Lawrence. Next adjoining south stood a white frame cottage, where lived R. R. MeCormic and his father-in-law. Major W. HI. Johnson. Jerome Rische built the present block, which was afterward bought by Miss Emma Abbott, the opera singer. and still bears her name.

Moffat & Kassler Block .- Here stood a little brick cottage where D. H. Moffat lived after his marriage. The lots adjoining south were owned by E. J. Sanderlin. who resided there until the present buikdling succeeded. Opposite the Abbott block was the Central Fire station, now a business house.

Hughes & Bissell Block .- Southwest corner of 15th and Lawrence. The Pike's Peak and Overland Stage barn. After the present block was erected, the upper floor was occupied by the district court and all county offices; the lower for many years by the post office.

Evans Block, opposite the above .- This was one of the first three-story build- ings erected in Denver, and attracted much attention. The site was formerly occu- pied by M. M. De Lano's lumber yards, and E. A. Willoughby's carpenter shop.

McClelland Block .- Corner Lawrence and 15th. Small frame cottages. Win. Graham built a brick house which was used as a boarding house. He traded the lots to Dr. W. F. MeClelland for a wagon load of bacon, which the latter had brought out from the Missouri river. Adjoining on 15th (L. D. Reithman's block) stood a little brick church, built by the Presbyterians, whence the society moved into their new and imposing stone edifice at the corner of Champa and 18th.

Clayton Block .-- Corner 17th and Lawrence. At one time the residence of Wm. M. and G. W. Clayton.

Cheesman Block .- Corner of 17th and Larimer. Frame buildings, in one of which Major Jacob Downing had his law and real estate office.

Tabor Block .- Sixteenth and Larimer. The first fine cut stone building in the city, every block of which was dressed in Ohio and shipped here. The side- walk flagging was brought from Joliet, Ill. It was also the first to rise above three stories. The site was first occupied by James M. Broadwell who, in 1859, built the Broadwell hotel thereon, a large white painted frame. Many years afterward it was re-named the Pacific house. It was torn down in 1880.

MeClintock Block .- Sixteenth and Larimer. A one-story frame, built in 1860. and used as a billiard room. At one time these two lots were offered in exchange fora yoke of oxen, and refused. In excavating for the foundation of the present struc- ture, some bones of a mastodon were found, and placed on exhibition at Woolworth & Moffat's book-store. The First National bank occupied the comer after its removal from Blake street.

Good Block .- Corner owned by Henry Fuerstein, but vacant many years. Next adjoining the original Good block stood the office of the Rocky Mountain "News." built by Byers & Dailey after the Cherry Creek flood in 1864. Next to that on the okdl Fillmore post office lots stood Wallingford & Murphy's log store, built in 1859. over which a confederate flag was raised in 1861, which came near precipitating a riot, until removed by Capt. Sam Logan, of the Ist Colorado regiment. Later, it was used as a military prison.

Appel Block .-- Sixteenth and Larimer. In 1860 occupied by a small frame, the office of the county clerk and recorder, where were deposited the records and papers of the original Denver Town company, and of Arapahoe county. This buikling first stood on the site of the Hughes & Bissell block, at 15th and Lawrence, whence it was removed in April, 1860. In December, 1861, Charles G. Chever was elected clerk of

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

Arapahoe county, and hckl the office seven consecutive years. When George E. Roper leased the ground, and prepared to build a two-story brick, the clerk's office was removed to the rear of the lot on Lawrence street, where, in 1887, was built the Essex block. In 1893, the Appels tore down the Roper buikling and erected a hand- some four-story block.

Pioneer Building .- Fifteenth and Larimer. Arow of cheap, one-story frames, built by Charles A. Lawrence in 1859, occupied by saloons and gambling dens; when completed, a grand ball was given. Later, Julius Mitchell kept a grocery there, and in 1866, Rodney Curtis and Chambers C. Davis the same; thenceforward, until torn down, by j. G. Hoffer's meat market. The two-story brick directly opposite, (n. c. corner Larinier and 15th) was one of the first briek buildings in East Denver, erected by the Stettauer Bros., of Leavenworth, in 1860, for a dry goods store, after- ward occupied by the Deitsch Bros. The upper story used by Governor William Gilpin for executive offices and military headquarters.

Granite Building, directly opposite that last mentioned. First a log cabin near the alley built by Gen. Wm. Larimer; occupied by him and also by A. (). MeGrew, who wheeled a barrow to Colorado, or Pike's Peak. The first house on the corner was a frame store by P. G. Lowe & Co., of Leavenworth, for dry goods; succeeded by a two-story brick by W. M. and G. W. Clayton, who kept a general sup- ply store. The Granite building was occupied by M. J. MeNamara & Co., dry goods for many years.

Railroad Building .- On the west side of Larimer, erected by Governor Evans; stands on ground formerly occupied by Criterion Hall (afterward Mozart Ilall), a dance and gambling den, built in 1859, by Ed. Jumps, probably one of the vilest places ever opened in this city; the resort of criminals and desperadoes of all grades. The concrete buildings further along toward 16th, numbered 1525-1529, with old-fashioned dingy brick fronts were built in early times by George W. MeClure. The first floor used for stores, and the second in 1865-6, by the district and probate courts, by S. Il. Elbert, secretary, and Alexander Cummings, governor of Colorado territory. The territorial legislature of 1865-6 was held there. In the winter of 1866-7, Governor Cummings packed up and removed all territorial archives to Golden City, because the people here were hostile to his eecentrie policy. In the winter of 1868, they were moved back again, but not to that building.

Gallup & Stansbury Building .- West side of Larimer, between 15th and 14th, the old " Tambien " saloon, a famous drinking place. About midway of the block opposite stood the first drug store opened in Denver by W'm. Graham, in a log cabin with earthen floor. Later on, the stock was moved to the corner of 15th and Larimer, now John J. Riethman's. On the second floor, Coleman and Moore published a rabid secession newspaper the first year of the war.

Cole Block .- South side of Larimer, between 15th and 16th. The upper floor was a large hall used for dancing and public meetings. The old Board of Trade held many important meetings there. It was the swell society hall of the "Sixties."

City Ilall .- Residence of E. P. Stout, afterwards of Charles Page and J. P. Sears, built of logs with a canvas roof. On the margin of Cherry Creek stood the law office of Collier & Clancy, a two-story frame. Directly opposite was a long low building occupied by St. Vrain and James; afterward the office of the Pike's Peak & Leaven- worth Express company.

Witter Block .- Corner of 16th and Blake, built by Daniel Witter. Site of the okl Planter's House, a large frame building erected by Majors & Russell, the famous freighters of the plains, for a general warehouse. Subsequently converted into a hotel. When completed, the Witter block was the finest apartment house in Denver.

Fink Block .- Corner 15th and Market. Site originally occupied by a small frame, built by a South African French trader named Guiraud: subsequently Fred

HISTORY OF COLORADO

Charpiot's restaurant. For many years the Masonic orders occupied the upper floor of the Fink block, Garson, Kerngood & Co., the lower.

Tappan Block .- Southwest side of 15th near Market. Built by Lewis N. Tap- pan in 1867-8. Here were located the offices of the governor, secretary, auditor, and other territorial officials after the removal of the Capital from Golden. The Masons took the upper floor. The corner of 15th and Market was the stage and express office of the Overland Stage company. On the corner directly opposite was the Colorado National Bank (prior to 1866, the Kountze Bros.).

On Market, between 14th and 15th, lower side, stands one of the log cabins built in 1859, by Henry Sweigert, and used as a store by Morton C. Fisher. Just across the Market street bridge, in West Denver, is another, built by Byers & Dailey, for the Rocky Mountain "News." Byers and family lived in the rear, the "News" was published in the front, and Dailey roomed in the attic. During the mobilization of the Colorado First Regiment, it was a recruiting office, and later a military guard house. Still later, the city calaboose. It is still owned by John L. Dailey. On Law- rence street, west side, near the corner of 15th, is a third of the old log cabins built in 1859, now a saloon, with a rude modern front, bearing the legend, "Old Log Cabin." It is owned by Mr. Jacob Gregory.

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

SCRAPS FROM MY NOTE BOOKS.

The first street paving with asphalt was done in 1892.

The City of Denver was incorporated November 8th, 1861.

The Board of Public Works was instituted by Charter revision in 1889. The Fire and Police Board by the same act.

Most of the original streets were named for members of the Denver Town company in 1859.

In October, 1874, John W. Smith built the largest flouring mill and grain ele- vator in the territory at 8th and Lawrence streets, West Denver.

Post Office Free Delivery .- August 5th, 1879, orders were received, and arrangements made by William N. Byers, postmaster, for putting into effect the free delivery system, on September Ist, following.

Post Office Building. - Authorized in 1884, with an appropriation of $350,000. Contract awarded to McGilvray & Hayes, who began the foundation toward the last of January, 1885.

Colorado Iron Works .- Removed from Black Hawk to Denver by A. G. Lang- ford in 1874; our citizens raised a subscription and purchased the land. Contract closed in October, 1874.

The First Steam Fire Engine was brought here in the early "sixties." It hac belonged to the Manhattan Fire company, No. 8, of Brooklyn, New York, and was intended for use in hydraulic placer mining, but proved a failure.

The First Omnibus and Transfer line was established in 1869, by John Hughes & Co., who sold to Lyons & Noble; they in turn transferred to McClure & Sanborn The latter bought Mr. MeClure's interest, and finally sold to Hughes, Lincoln & Co. (John Hughes, Abram R. Lincoln and A. S. Hughes). They ran omnibuses and baggage wagons from the old U'nion depot to up-town hotels and residences.

Sewerage. - This subject was agitated in 1878, but took practical form through the efforts and arguments of Dr. W. R. Whitehead, while he was a member of the City Council, in 1875-76. The present system was instituted and largely built by Harvey C. Lowrie, while City Engineer.

Tabor Block. - February ist. 1870. 11. A. W. Tabor purchased the Broadwell corner, 16th and Larimer, 75×125 feet, for $39.000, and on the same day took pos- session of the I1. C. Brown residence on Broadway. About the last of July, 1879. he decided to build a Grand Opera House in Denver.

Woman Suffrage .- At the election in the fall of 1879, a proposed amendment to the Constitution, providing for the enfranchisement of women, was submitted to the people. The subject had been fully canvassed throughout the state by Susan B. Anthony, and other noted leaders. The total vote as 22,047. For the amendment. 6,612: against. 14.053. At this election Wilbur F. Stone, who had been nominated by the Bar Association, was elected a Judge of the Supreme court without opposi- tion : vice, E. T. Wells, resigned.

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

Silver Coin .- One of the first of the coins known as the " Bland silver dollars," struck at the United States Mint in Philadelphia, was presented to the State Histori- cal Society, of Denver, by L. A. Curtice, and is now in the collection of its historical relics.

Col. Robert G. Ingersoll delivered his first lecture in the city at Old Guard Hall, corner of 15th and Curtis streets, May 12th, 1877.

Gen. Judson Kilpatrick, the famous cavalry leader, lectured in Guard Hall, May Ioth, 1876, on " Reminiscences of the War," and subsequently at the Presbyterian church in Central City.

Central Presbyterian Church .- Corner stone laid at the corner of 18th and Champa streets, January 6th, 1876, Dr. Willis Lord, pastor. When built, it was believed by many that the congregation would not go to so distant a point to wor- ship. At that time the site was " way out on the plains.'

Albany Hotel .- Completed and opened to the public July 7th, 1885. It was then considered the finest hotel in the city. As remodeled and furnished in 1893, it has few superiors west of the Missouri river.

Electric Lighting .- The first public exhibition of Edison incandescent lights in Denver was given on Saturday, April 21st, 1883, by the Colorado-Edison Electric Light company, which was organized in March, preceding. The plant was located at 390 Curtis street, and the lights were sixteen candle power.

Grand Army of the Republic .- The first national encampment in Denver, occurred July 23rd-24th, 1883. General John A. Logan was the hero of the occasion. Delegations began arriving from all parts of the country on the 15th. Camp Van Der Voort was established on the northern outskirts of the city, Brigadier General Albert H. Jones, of the Colorado National Guard, commandant. The grand parade occurred on the 24th, with about 5,000 veterans in line.

The First Rolling Mill was brought here from Pueblo by William Faux, in the summer of 1878. F. J. Ebert, Col. W. G. Sprague, and other capitalists subsidized the plant. The mill was put in operation in November, of that year, and was situated just west of the old Fair grounds, on the Kansas Pacific railway. It ran quite suc- cessfully about two years, furnishing part of the rails used in building the Denver & South Park railway. When the great iron works were established at Bessemer. near Pueblo, this mill was purchased, and a year later moved to Bessemer.

Daniels & Fisher .- This firm was an outgrowth of the house of Daniels & Eck- hart, located on 15th street, near Blake. Under the name of Daniels & Eckhart, it began the dry goods business in October, 1868. In the summer of 1871, they moved into the Schleier building, on Larimer, near Charpiot's hotel. In January, 1872, W. G. Fisher was admitted to partnership. In January, 1875, Mr. Eckhart retired, when the firm became Daniels & Fisher. In the winter of 1875-6, Mr. Daniels built a two-story block on the corner of Lawrence and 16th. People said: "You may build away out there on the borders of the city, but you won't be able to carry the trade with you."

Severe Winters .- There were several of unusual severity between 1870 and 1880. In that of 1874-5, the Kansas Pacific train, on one occasion, was eleven days in crossing the plains, and there were instances where trains were blockaded for more than two weeks by snow and sleet storms. Under high winds all cuts were compactly filled with snow and sand. In the case under consideration, six tons of mail and an immense quantity of express matter accumulated. There were eighty-five passen- gers on the train which finally was brought in by four locomotives. All food prod- ucts in the express cars were consumed by the passengers.

Artesian Wells .- After the accidental discovery of artesian water near St. Luke's hospital, in Highlands, in 1883. Mr. T. G. Anderson was the first to bring the problemi to practical solution. As early as 1880, while a member of the City Council, he had strongly urged the sinking of an experimental well, but without effect. In June.

4-IV

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

1883, he sunk a well on his property near the Colfax avenue bridge, and at a depth of 340 feet, struck strong hydraulic pressure, which brought water in a great stream to the surface. Then followed a mania for artesian wells, which continued two or three years, until about two hundred had been put down.

The Platte Ditch .- March 2nd, 1875, Alderman A. J. Williams presented to the City Council a resolution providing that the question of issuing bonds to the amount of $60,000 (twenty years at 10 per cent) be submitted to the people at the next ensu- ing election, for the purpose of buying the stock and ditch of the Platte Water com- pany, with all rights, franchises, etc. The proposition was defeated. It was sub- mitted again May 19th, 1875, and accepted by a majority of 14. On the 25th, the ditch became the property of the city, Mayor W. J. Barker executing the requisite papers.

First Telephone .- In December. 1878, Mr. F. O. Vaille came to establish the Bell Telephone system, circulated a paper for subscriptions to instruments, and opened an office at 370 Larimer street. He began with about 200 subscribers. W. H. Pierce, of the City Transfer company, had previously used a primitive temporary line between his business office and the railroad freight depots, which, though crude, served the purpose very well. While Mr. Vaille was perfecting his arrangements, the telephone fever inspired a number of people on Lawrence street to experiment with tin cans for transmitters and receivers, connected by cotton strings. In due course, Mr. Vaille's subscriptions extended over the greater part of the city, as well as to Central City, Black Hawk, Georgetown, Idaho Springs, Manitou and Pueblo. The company was incorporated January Ist, 1881, under the name of the Colorado Telephone company. At the beginning of 1884, it had about 2,000 miles of wire in use. It is now one of the most complete systems in the country, with a building of its own on Lawrence street.

Floods in Cherry Creek .- The first, and most destructive occurred in 1864, as described in a previous volume. The next of serious import took place on the night of July 20th, 1875, the water descending in tremendous volume, threatening to eclipse the dismal scenes of 1864. The night was very dark; the streets were filled with frightened people; all foot bridges were swept away, as also the railroad cross- ings, and much damage occurred in the lower part of the town. The third came May 22nd, 1878, tearing out bridges and inundating many houses. The water rose with great rapidity from cloudbursts on the Cherry Creek Divide. The spring of 1885 was marked by heavy snows and rains. During the night of July 26th, one of the worst floods ever known here occurred. On this occasion, the foundations of the City Hall were imperilled. All the mountain railroads and several towns were greatly damaged. After the ruide experiences of 1875 and 1878, there were frantic demands to have the channel of the creek diverted so that it should no longer be a source of peril to the citizens. The discussion became hot and furious on the streets, in the public prints and in the Council. November 24th, 1875, the city gov- ernment devised a plan which contemplated a dam at a point three miles out, and the digging of a new channel straight west to the Platte river, intersecting it at a point about two miles above the mouth of Cherry Creek. Oliver B. Green, and John B. Brown, of Chicago, submitted a contract to do the work for $100,000; $42,000 cash. and the balance in lots in the bed of the creek, the value of the lots to be fixed by appraisers. Then arose a fierce war for and against the proposition, producing intense excitement. Nevertheless, the Council passed a resolution accepting the terms. On the 27th, a special meeting of that body was held, when a resolution to rescind previous action in the matter was offered. Meanwhile the contract had gone to Mayor W. J. Barker for signature. He asked for twenty-four hours to consider. He was warmly supported by one faction, and fiercely denounced by the other. The whole city was up in arms. One alderman proposed that should Mr. Barker prove contumacious, the power be taken out of his hands by a vote authorizing the

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History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 6

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company Publication date: 1889-95 Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co. Number of Pages: 791

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company
Publication date: 1889-95
Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co.
Number of Pages: 791