The Hot Spot Neighborhood Spotlight - Curtis Park
A Historic Gem with a Complex Past
While not an officially zoned neighborhood, Curtis Park’s history and legacy remain captivating. As part of the greater Five Points neighborhood, Curtis Park is one of Denver’s oldest districts. Many different communities have called this area home over time, and a walk through its streets today paints a spirited and complex picture of its historic structures and charm.
Though the Victorian-era homes that still stand harken back to a time when architectural beauty hinged on the small and ornate details, Curtis Park’s legacy is also steeped in racist policy. As we continue to unravel the many iterations of this vibrant area, we would be remiss not to acknowledge the racist practices of redlining that not only shone a light on the resilience of Curtis Park’s residents but also continue to impact the lives of residents in today’s rapidly changing Denver.
The neighborhood is just to the northeast of downtown Denver and is called Curtis Park for the city park in its midst, is the creation of the city's first golden age, that time between 1870, when the railroad came to town, and 1893, when the Silver Crash brought a rude end to Denver's early prosperity. During that brief period, the rate of Denver's population growth was higher than that of any other city in the country. From a modest 4,759 in 1870, just twenty years later, in 1890, the city had 106,713 inhabitants. One historian has called it an "instant city."
Fun Facts
Curtis Park, one of Denver's oldest neighborhoods, is rich in history and unique characteristics. Here are five little-known facts about this historic area:
Denver's First Public Park: Established in 1868, Curtis Park was Denver's first public park. The land was donated by Samuel S. Curtis, a developer who played a significant role in the neighborhood's early development. In the 1980’s, after several decades of decline, the park’s playground and pool were upgraded, the Eyes on the Park mural by local artist Emanuel Martinez was installed and Mestizo, meaning a mix of cultures and ethnicities, was added to the park’s name reflecting the diversity of the ever-changing Curtis Park community. See photo.
Pioneering Streetcar Suburb: In 1871, Denver's first streetcar line was introduced, featuring horse-drawn cars that traveled along Champa Street from downtown to 27th Street. This development transformed Curtis Park into Denver's first streetcar suburb, facilitating its rapid growth.
Architectural Diversity: The neighborhood showcases a wide array of architectural styles, including Italianate, Second Empire, Romanesque, Carpenter Gothic, Queen Anne, and Eastlake. This eclectic mix reflects the varied tastes of its early residents and contributes to the area's historic charm.
Cultural Mosaic: Over the decades, Curtis Park has been home to a diverse population, including African American, Latino, and Japanese American communities. This rich cultural tapestry has significantly influenced the neighborhood's character and history.
Historic Preservation: Despite periods of decline in the mid-20th century, Curtis Park has experienced revitalization efforts that have preserved its historic structures.
Today, it stands as a testament to Denver's commitment to maintaining its architectural and cultural heritage. These facets highlight the unique history and enduring legacy of the Curtis Park neighborhood in Denver.
Curtis Park: Then and Now
818 25th Street
By the 1970s this pressed-brick building was abandoned, boarded up, and burned. As a final indignity, vandals pried off most of the characteristic terra-cotta ornamentation that architect Robert Roeschlaub liked to use. Luckily the building was eventually rescued and given a new lease on life. It’s currently being remodeled to accommodate Montessori Academy of Colorado Middle School.
Ideal Laundry ~ 2500 Curtis
The Early Modern Industrial style structure was built in 1910. The original terra-cotta doorway remains the most interesting part of the structure, which occupies a site where once ten houses stood. The building now serves as Montessori Academy of Colorado.
Isaac Gotthelf Mansion ~ 2601 Champa
This magnificent high Victorian house was originally built for James F. Mathews, an ore and bullion broker. He and his wife were socially prominent members of early Denver society. In 1890, Isaac Gotthelf bought the house for $25,000, at the time a very considerable sum.
Cole Lydon House ~ 2418 Stout
Lydon, who worked for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, lived in his fabulous house for only twelve years. In 1903, he moved on to Capitol Hill.
The eclectic-style house was built in 1891 at a cost of $8,000 by architect John J. Huddart.
2525 Champa
A tall, gabled oriel window dominates the front facade of this impressive house. Next to it, an oculus looks out on the passing parade.
The house was built around 1885, by an unknown architect at an unknown cost.
2816 Curtis
One of Curtis Park's rare, early wooden houses, this home was built in the mid-1870s, by (probably) David C. Crowell, who was a carpenter and engineer. The pediments above the front windows are re-creations listed but are of the same size and shape as the original pediments, as indicated by surviving outlines discovered in the course of the restoration of the house.
Walters House ~ 2663 Champa
Originally, this Queen Anne was the home of Leonard Walters, an early dealer in Colorado livestock. The surround for the two windows high in the front gable of the house provides a massive sculptural climax at the top of the facade. Like many other corner houses in Curtis Park, this one has two decorative porches.
This home was built in 1888 by architect F. C. Eberly, at a cost of $7,500.
2521 Champa
This charming example of the Queen Anne style has carved stone detailing above the front window and its original front porch.The house was built in 1885 at a cost of $6,500, by an unknown architect.
Sources:
history.denverlibrary.org
historycolorado.org
https://denverparktrust.org/news/in-our-parks-first-edition/#:~:text=Denver's%20First%20Park%3A%20Mestizo%2DCurtis&text=In%201868%2C%20a%20nine%20acre,use%20as%20a%20public%20park.
https://history.denverlibrary.org/neighborhood-history-guide/curtis-park-denvers-first-streetcar-suburb