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City Cast Denver

People, places, and scenes from Denver's past.

 last Thursday on a brand new mixed-use project off Brighton Boulevard that is set to eventually offer housing, office space, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Curiously, officials named the development after Denver’s old Denargo Market, which operated at 29th and Broadway before burning down in 1971.

The original Denargo Market opened on May 10, 1939, and it quickly became a hub for produce suppliers and shoppers. In the summer months, the riverbank was packed with 18-wheelers brimming with fresh fruit for purchase.

Denargo Market was also a major employer — even the famous beat poet Jack Kerouac worked there while he was writing what would become his acclaimed novel,

 In his original scroll, he recalled his first day on the job: “The work was so hard that I quickly developed Charley Horses in my arms and almost had to scream to go on. Of course I was soft compared to the Japanese fellows who worked side by side with me; their muscles were attuned to this onerous business of dragging a fruitwagon loaded eight crates high and having to balance it and pull it with arms backward outstretched and if you make on mistake you ruin a whole load of fruit and do it on your own poor head. I cut around all day long with these muscular Nisei and swore and swore.”

Will the new Denargo Market inspire anything as lasting as “On the Road”? Only time will tell.

Will Denver's new Denargo Market be anything like the beloved original? 

A Look Back at the Original Denver Denargo Market 

A Day In Denver History

The Twister III: Storm Chaser debuted this year at Elitch Gardens — a bigger, better, and faster version of its previous roller coaster iteration. 

 this third take on the OG Mister Twister thrill ride “has the same track as Twister II, which is longer, taller and faster than the original Mr. Twister. Elitch Gardens upgraded the ride to Twister II after moving the park from Tennyson Street to downtown Denver in 1995.” The photo above shows remnants of the original ride on the grounds of “Old Elitches” — the park on 38th and Tennyson before Elitch Gardens was moved to its current downtown location. This image of a derelict coaster entrance was taken in 1998, four years after the Northside park closed. Most rides went with the move, but many of the park’s original structures did not, left to rot among the gorgeous, mature trees that also couldn’t make the trek.

As the park embarks on a possible move to a third location since its grand opening in 1890, we’re excited to see what an 

 might bring 😊Were you a visitor (or an employee) of “Old” old Elitch’s? 

Share your memories and photographs with us

The photo above shows remnants of the original ride on the grounds of “Old Elitches” — the park on 38th and Tennyson before Elitch Gardens was moved to its current downtown location. 

A Denver Roller Coaster History

In 1947, as Europe was recovering from World War II, the United States created 

. It traveled from Los Angeles to New York collecting food, clothes, and personal care items donated by American citizens to be shipped across the pond. In total, the Friendship Train collected roughly 270 boxcars and $40 million dollars worth of goods. Colorado alone contributed nine train cars of donations.

The Europeans were so grateful for the act of charity that in 1949 France spearheaded a reciprocal trainful of goodies to be sent to the U.S. as a thank you. Each state received its own “Merci boxcar” filled with toys, art, fine China, wine, and other luxury items, like handmade French wedding dresses.

Colorado’s Merci boxcar arrived in Denver to great fanfare. “It was like a Christmas party, opening a giant gift,” local historian Stephanie Gilmore 

. But what happened to that boxcar? That remains a mystery. Merci train cars in most other states were given to museums for display. But Colorado’s and five more were either scrapped or lost. All that’s left of the car is a plaque that was once affixed to it, which currently resides at the Colorado Railroad Museum (CRRM).

Both the CRRM and the Forney Museum of Transportation have tried to solve the mystery to no avail. Gilmore hypothesizes that the boxcar was repurposed as a chicken coop or is sitting on someone’s ranch somewhere.

🔎 Learn More About the Merci Boxcars

In 1947, as Europe was recovering from World War II, the United States created The Friendship Train ...

Colorado Lost Its Fancy French Train Car

From fancier joints, like the Buckhorn Exchange and Bastien’s, to neighborhood Friday night out faves, like Columbine Steak House and Mickey’s Top Sirloin, the Denver metro has no shortage of steakhouses. But back when we were considered more of a, 

, cowtown 🐄 Emil-Lene’s Sirloin House was

THE place to impress a guest with a big beef steak.

This quirky dining spot off Smith Road in Aurora was famous for its prime cuts, fresh relish trays, and unexpected steakhouse side dishes (like spaghetti!). Emil-Lene’s was all about the atmosphere — diners could enjoy their chuckwagon dinner within a mythical “old West” setting, complete with the remnants of a covered wagon parked out front. But the true attraction? A comically-large peppermill the waitresses would bring to your table — a throwback to a time when “fresh cracked pepper” meant the finest of dining. Emil-Lene’s closed in 2014, taking a little piece of the Mile High’s faux-Old West lore with it. RIP. 

This section was written by City Cast Denver host and old Denver expert Bree Davies.

From fancier joints, like the Buckhorn Exchange and Bastien’s, to neighborhood Friday night out faves, like Columbine Steak House and Mickey’s Top Sirloin, the Denver metro has no shortage of steakhouses. But back when we were considered more of a, ahem, cowtown 🐄 Emil-Lene’s Sirloin House was THE place to impress a guest with a big beef steak...

The History Behind a Beloved Aurora Steakhouse

Before the Denver REI Flagship store on Platte Street was the outdoors enthusiast’s gear hub we know today, it was the Forney Museum. Private citizens J. Donovan Forney and James Arneill used the cavernous turn-of-the-century structure to house a massive collection of train and street cars, automobiles, and railroad equipment (along with a random assortment of wax figures from the 

!) This photo shows the crumbling brick structure resting along the city waterway in 1975, next to the also-still-standing Harry H. Post paper goods and janitorial supplies factory.

 operated there until 1998, when Forney sold to REI and moved his shiny horde to Brighton Boulevard. But even before it was home to cars or camping gear, the 1901 brick building at the confluence was originally built to house the 

, providing electricity for the Mile High’s expansive streetcar network. 

After the demise of the street car, the powerhouse building was sold to a truck and tractor dealership in 1956. Less than a decade later, the 

hit and the South Platte swelled, damaging much of downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. In 1967, the Forney moved in; thirty years later, REI’s purchase of the structure signaled massive changes coming to Platte Street — development which you can 

 This article has been updated to reflect that the Harry H. Post building has not, in fact, been demolished, but was remodeled a few decades ago.

The History of the Denver Tramway

Sloan’s Lake has views for days, a perfect path for walking, biking, or rolling, and of course, a lake that welcomes canoes, kayaks, and small boats. But did you know this lovely greenspace was once home to an amusement park?

Manhattan Beach opened in 1881, not far from Lakeside and the original Elitch Gardens. The Gilded Age park offered popular amenities for the time, including elephant rides, boxing matches, lush gardens, and rides on a “pleasure barge” — a steamboat named “The City of Denver” that took guests around Sloan’s Lake.

Unfortunately, Manhattan Beach didn’t last on the north shore of Sloan’s for long. After a fatal accident, a fire, and a changing of hands, the park closed in 1914. (Special thanks to the Denver Public library’s Genealogy, African American and Western History for being 

A Flashback to Manhattan Beach at Sloan's Lake

The area of downtown Denver that houses Coors Field is one of the buzziest swaths of the city, especially during sunny baseball season! Though it incorporates parts of Five Points, Union Station, LoDo, and RiNo, the area is more broadly referred to as the Ballpark District, and it’s known for packed bars, late-night crowds, an abundance of eats, and all the best pre-game parties. But this area would be nothing if not for, well, the 

 Built in 1995, Coors Field is the third oldest stadium in the MLB league. Here are some Coors Field fun facts:

The first official game was played Aug. 26, 1995. The Rockies beat the NY Mets 11-9.

Because the air is thinner a mile above sea level, 

The construction of Coors Field was funded by a sales tax approved by voters in counties across the metro area; Denver County voters 

Dinger, the Rockies’ dino mascot, was named for 

You can dive deeper into the history of Coors Field through the documentary “

” The hour-long feature is by local journalist, news anchor, and filmmaker Kyle Dyer, and debuted earlier this summer ⚾

The area of downtown Denver that houses Coors Field is one of the buzziest swaths of the city, especially during sunny baseball season! Though it incorporates parts of Five Points, Union Station, LoDo, and RiNo, the area is more broadly referred to as the Ballpark District, and it’s known for packed bars, late-night crowds, an abundance of eats, and all the best pre-game parties. But this area would be nothing if not for, well, the ballpark.

Fun Facts About Denver's Coors Field

 has been performing in Denver for more than 35 years! The traditional dance group formed with permission from an elder who came from Mexico to teach “La Danza” —  a form of ceremonial movement from Native Mexica / Azteca cultures and carried on by Chicano / Mexicano families. Dancers and drummers of all ages participate, and can be seen at cultural, neighborhood, and civic festivals across the city, year-round. Grupo Tlaloc describes the meaning behind their name as “He who fertilizes the Earth. Liquor of the Earth. He is the rain, which makes things grow.”

This section was written by City Cast Denver host and old Denver expert Bree Davies

Grupo Tlaloc Danza Azteca has been performing in Denver for more than 35 years! 

A Day in Denver History: Grupo Tlaloc Danza Azteca

This 1977 photograph of the Mile High’s queen of dance, Cleo Parker Robinson, and her dance ensemble artistic co-director at the time, Schyleen Qualls, shows the two born-and-raised Denverites (and 

) with a bounty of artwork they brought back from a festival in Nigeria. Cleo continues to bring the world to Denver — and bring Denver to the world — through her artistic vision as a dancer, choreographer, educator, storyteller, and fearless collaborator. Recently, her dance school in Five Points 

, which will expand its current home in the historic Shorter AME Church into a beautiful campus with a new, accessible performance venue, dance studios, and more space for youth and community movement education.

This segment was written by City Cast Denver host (and Old Denver expert) Bree Davies.

This 1977 photograph of the Mile High’s queen of dance, Cleo Parker Robinson, and her dance ensemble artistic co-director at the time, Schyleen Qualls, shows the two born-and-raised Denverites (and longtime friends) with a bounty of artwork they brought back from a festival in Nigeria.

A Day in Denver History: Cleo Parker Robinson

Once upon a time, a 42-foot-long hot dog-shaped restaurant aptly named the Coney Island Boardwalk lived on West Colfax. Built in 1966, the structure resembled the fare it served up at 25 cents a dog. Owner Marcus Shannon had big dreams of turning the stand into a national chain, but sadly, the company quickly went bankrupt. After its stint on Denver’s most famous strip, the larger-than-life weiner was put on a trailer and hauled up Highway 285 to Aspen Park. Today, the Coney Island Boardwalk giant dog resides in Bailey. Contrary to Google Maps saying it is “permanently closed,” the hot dog spot is 

. In fact, it recently received national attention after being featured in the 

Special thanks to City Cast Denver podcast producer Olivia Jewell Love 

 on the big dog’s life and whereabouts!

This segment was written by City Cast Denver host Bree Davies.

Once upon a time, a 42-foot-long hot dog-shaped restaurant aptly named the Coney Island Boardwalk, lived on West Colfax...