You know that Denver is the ‘Mile High City,’ sitting at 5,280 feet above sea level, and that residents enjoy easy access to world-class skiing as well as 300 days of sunshine a year. If you’re looking for luxury real estate in Colorado, you also know it’s currently one of the most competitive markets in the U.S.
It’s not just the landscape and climate that have made this Denver so appealing. It’s also got a rich history, dating back to Colorado’s mining days, which makes it more than just an up-and-coming city. Here are some historical facts about Denver’s neighborhoods that you might not know (and may make you want to move there even more):
1. Bob Dylan lived in City Park West
For a brief stint during the early 1960s, Bob Dylan stayed with a friend at 1336 East 17th Avenue in the City Park West neighborhood. According to Westword, he performed a handful of times that summer at the Satire Lounge on East Colfax before moving on. This neighborhood is ideal for music lovers, tucked between major venues like The Fillmore Auditorium, The Ogden Theatre, and The Bluebird Theater.
2. Lowry was previously an airforce base
Lowry is now a premier mixed-use neighborhood where residents have quick and easy access to amenities like parks, restaurants, and shops. But for more than half a century, it was a bustling Air Force base, where thousands of military personnel were trained. There’s still evidence of its history today – a number of historic buildings were repurposed into museums, churches, and community centers to serve current residents.
See our listings for luxury homes in Lowry to see why people love this neighborhood.
3. Five Points is a favorite haunt of famous artists
Five Points was one of the earliest neighborhoods in Denver, just at the edge of the downtown district and what would later become the city’s suburban neighborhoods. This advantageous location might have been a draw for writer Jack Kerouac, who wrote about the neighborhood in On The Road. It was also a stop-over for jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, and Billy Holiday, who would stay in the heart of Five Points at The Rossonian Hotel after performing downtown.
4. Cherry Creek was originally prospected for gold
Long before Cherry Creek was one of the most upscale neighborhoods in Denver, it showed shimmering potential. The area was originally explored and settled by prospectors who believed they would find gold in the river beds. Although their initial explorations didn’t pan out, the prospectors did find gold nearby in what became the suburb of Englewood.
Now, the neighborhood is better known as an urban oasis with high-end retail shopping at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center and fine dining at local restaurants. Check out our listings to see some of the modern and classical homes for sale in Cherry Creek.
5. Stapleton used to be the state’s primary airport
The 7.5 square miles that make up Stapleton were a network of terminals, air traffic control centers, and runways. The Stapleton Airport served as Colorado’s primary transportation hub from 1929 until it was decommissioned in 1995 to make room for DIA. Since then, the land has been completely transformed into the most successful master-planned community in the U.S.
6. The Unsinkable Molly Brown lived in Capitol Hill
The house at 1340 Pennsylvania Street once belonged to Margaret “Molly” Brown, who famously survived the Titanic’s sinking. It’s still there, and you can visit it! Her home was converted into a museum after falling into disrepair during the early and mid-1900s. During its heyday, this capitol hill home was occupied by the governor of Colorado while the governor’s mansion was undergoing renovations.
Love historic homes? Browse through our properties available in Capitol Hill.
7. Country Club is Denver’s most exclusive neighborhood
According to the Country Club Historic District, there are just 375 homes in the neighborhood, making this one of the most exclusive areas of Denver. Although it’s a small neighborhood, the plot sizes are large – and so are the houses on them. The neighborhood is known for its expansive luxury homes with sweeping lawns, sophisticated landscaping, and access to the country club, which is a rare amenity given its proximity to the city center.
Take a look at some of our listings in Denver Country Club to see why this neighborhood is so sought after.
8. Led Zeppelin played their first U.S. concert in CBD
The iconic rock group played their first show on American soil on December 26, 1968, at the Denver Auditorium Arena in the Central Business District. The building has since been converted into The Buell Theatre, and it continues to draw some of the largest music and theater acts from around the world to the neighborhood.
9. Bonnie Brae means “pleasant hill”
Businessman and developer George W. Olinger gave this coveted neighborhood its Gaelic name back in the 1920s. His vision was to create a peaceful residential area that felt more like a small Scottish village than a city suburb. Today, Bonnie Brae is a prominent neighborhood with a mix of beautiful historic and modern homes on winding roads. There’s a central park, mature trees, and a Main Street where the local community gathers.
These are just a handful of historical facts about the neighborhoods around Denver. If you’re interested in Denver real estate or want to learn more about a specific neighborhood, contact us.