The Hot Spot Neighborhood Spotlight - The Highlands
The Highlands is a vibrant area known for its views, historic homes, and ethnic neighborhoods.
Situated just northwest of Downtown Denver, The Highlands includes West Highland, Highland, and LoHi (Lower Highland).
The popular LoHi section is known for its nightlife, restaurants and boutique shops, and proximity to downtown Denver. LoHi has experienced a lot of new development in recent years, making it one of the city's more vibrant areas.
The Highland neighborhood has a rich and diverse ethnic history shaped by waves of immigration and cultural influences over the years. The area was originally settled in the mid-19th century by European immigrants, primarily from Scotland, England, and Germany. These early settlers contributed to the neighborhood’s architectural style, including Victorian homes and early Denver landmarks.
By the late 19th century, a large Italian and Irish immigrant community settled in Highland, bringing with them strong cultural traditions, family-owned businesses, and Catholic institutions.
By the mid-20th century, as Denver’s population grew, many Mexican and Chicano families moved into Highland. The neighborhood became a center for Chicano culture, activism, and local businesses.
West Highland includes the historic Elitch Theater, still in use today. The surrounding area used to house Elitch Gardens amusement park which was moved to the South Platte River location in 1994 to make way for a large housing, commercial and restaurant development.
Name Origins: The name "Highland" comes from its elevated position on a hill above the Platte River, offering sweeping views of downtown Denver. However, it wasn't always called Highland—early maps from the late 1800s referred to it as "North Denver." It wasn’t until around the 1880s that the area began to be recognized as Highland.
Historic Streetcar Line: Highland was once served by a streetcar line that connected it to downtown Denver. The line, which ran on 32nd Avenue, was a major transportation route in the early 20th century. The streetcar tracks were eventually replaced by cars, but the legacy of that transportation system can still be felt today, as the 32nd Avenue corridor remains a key commercial and social hub in the neighborhood.
Hidden Staircases: There are a handful of secret staircases in Highland, some of which were originally built to help people navigate the steep terrain of the neighborhood. While not necessarily a landmark, these staircases still exist and can be a fun little adventure to stumble upon, especially in the area around the Highland Bridge and 32nd Avenue.
Highland is a mix of history, local shopping and eating, green spaces, and a strong sense of involvement in preserving what makes Highland unique. Those elements together really contribute to the community vibe, making it feel like a place where everyone feels connected.
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