This time in Today in Streets & Squares we visit Denver, the capital of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver has a lot of numbered avenues, but also a lot of eponymous streets and places. The city itself is named after James W. Denver, and nicknamed the Mile High City due to its official elevation being exactly one mile above sea level.
According to Wall Street of the Rockies, “many of the namesakes of Colorado streets, towns, counties and landmarks, tell stories of the Wild, Wild West days before statehood. Denver Street names honor prospectors, politicians, businessmen and others who settled amidst the Rocky Mountains and guided Denver toward statehood and into the region’s largest population center”.
As always, clicking on the address links leads you to Google Maps, and clicking on the names to the person’s Wikipedia page.
Blake St - named after Charles H. Blake who in 1858 arived in Auraria, Denver and set up the first retail business there. The neighborhood grew into a meaningful business area.
Bruce Randolph Ave - Bruce Randolph (1900-1994) a.k.a “Daddy” Bruce Randolph, was a barbecue restaurant owner and philanthropist with a mission: to feed the poor in Denver’s most troubled neighborhoods. The Denver Post - Denver Library - The Epworth Foundation
Champa St - named after one of the Arapaho names of William McGaa (1824-1867), a Scottish-American mountain man active in St. Charles (future Denver), Colorado who lived with the Arapaho usually under the name Jack Jones.
Cheesman Park - Walter Cheesman (1838-1907/68) was a businessman involved with railroad, finance, real estate and water industries in Denver. Born in Hempstead Harbor, NY.
Colfax Ave (East&West) - Schuyler Colfax* (1823-1885) was a journalist, businessman and politician who served as the 17th vice president of the United States. Born in New York City.
Evans Ave - John Evans (1814-1897) was a physician, politician, railroad promoter and Governor of the Territory of Colorado, born in Wayneville, Ohio.
Glenarm Place - named after the alleged family castle in Scotland of William McGaa (1824-1867).
Larimer St - William Larimer Jr. (1809-1875) was a senator, land developer and most notably the founder of the city of Denver. He renamed it Denver City after James W. Denver, governor of Kansas. Born in Circleville, PA.
Lawrence St - Charles Lawrence, another member of the group of men from Kansas lead by William Larimer.
S Depew St - Chauncey Depew (1834-1928) was a lawyer, railroad magnate, orator and senator from Peekskill, NY.
Speer Blvd - Robert W. Speer (1855-1918) three-time mayor of Denver. Born in Mount Union, PA.
Wazee St - named after one of the native American wifes of William McGaa (1824-1867).
Wewatta St - named after one of the native American wifes of William McGaa (1824-1867).
Wynkoop St - Edward W. Wynkoop (1836-1891) was one of the founders of Denver, the first sheriff there, and also acted as an Indian agent. Born in Philadelphia, PA USA (1891/55).
LINKS:
CPR News - Our Community Now - Pam’s Blog - The Wall Street of the Rockies - [Wikipedia: Street system of Denver](Street system of Denver) -
A to Z FROM Denver
i.e. a list of people born in Denver. Just another fun way to know something more of the city, picking one single person for each alphabet. Only the year of birth given here. To be continued.Just another fun way to know something more about the city. We pick a couple of people for each alphabet, if possible. The numbers you see at the end of each line indicate the year of birth. This list is updated from time to time. And last but not least: the flag of Denver!
A - Tim Allen* stand-up comedian/actor (1953)
B - Barbara Bates* singer/actress (All About Eve) (1925) - Dale Baer* animator – Denver, CO USA (1950)
C - Duane “Dog” Chapman* bail bondsman/bounty hunter (1953)
D - Josephine Dillon* actress/teacher/first wife of Clark Gable (1884)
E - Richard Epcar* voice actor/film director/writer (1955)
F - Douglas Fairbanks* actor/ director/producer (1883)
I - Matt Iseman* physician/stand-up comedian/actor (1971)
M - Zahn McClarnon* Native American actor (1966)
P - Antoinette Perry* actress/ director/eponym of the Tony Awards (1888)
R - Jessica Rothe* actress (1987)
S - L. Neil Smith* science fiction writer/ activist (1946) - Peter Scanavino* actor (1980)
V - Jan-Michael Vincent* actor (1945)
Updated 28.11.2022