from
WorldWeb.com Travel Guide
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Denver,
Colorado |
One mile above sea level, at the juxtaposition of the great plains and the Colorado
Rocky Mountains lies the city of Denver.
Denver is a cosmopolitan city under the spell of its alpine surroundings and richly
flavored by its old west, mining and agricultural heritage. Denver has a population
of 500,000 with 1.8 million people in the surrounding area and is often referred
to as the Mile High City, or the Queen City of the Plains.
History and Economy
Before the pioneers settled the Denver area, this part of Colorado
was a buffalo hunting ground for the Cheyenne and the Arapaho. Initially when
the easterners came to the area the First Peoples reached out a hand of friendship.
As the area was settled and treaties were broken the relationship between the
two groups deteriorated. In 1864 at Sand Creek many peaceful
Arapahoe and Cheyenne men, women and children were brutally massacred.
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Gold Rush |
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In 1858 word of a gold discovery in
Cherry Creek spread. Soon
fortune seekers were heading west. Miners gathered and pitched their tents beside
Cherry Creek near the
South Platte River. Out of this rough and
tough gold miners' camp the hamlets of
Denver City and
Auraria
were formed. These communities straddled Cherry Creek and were separated not only
by water but by bitter disputes. These long running disputes kept the rival communities
apart until the hamlets suffered from an extremely harsh winter. In order to survive
the two hamlets overlooked their differences, merged and became Denver. Denver
became capital of the new Colorado Territory in 1861.
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Panning
for Gold |
The rush of 1858 turned out to be small and many disappointed gold rushers became
homegoers and headed back east. In 1859 a larger gold find brought more gold seekers
to the area. The completion of the
Denver Pacific Railroad and
later the
Kansas Pacific Railway brought expansion and population
growth to the area. With the discovery of silver Denver became a wealthy mining
town. Then the 1893 bottoming out of the silver market brought the local economy
crashing down into a depression.
The following year the Cripple Creek gold reserves were discovered
and the economy recovered. This volatile economy was difficult and the Denver
leaders realized that diversification would help stabilize it. Denver underwent
a transformation into respectability. Brothels were closed and beautification
of the city became important. This change in atmosphere paved the way for agriculture
and tourism.
Years later when WWII broke out Denver became a producer of munitions. Coal and
Oil became a facet of the economy. In the '90s the building of the massive Denver
International Airport positioned Denver as an air travel hub. Today oil
and gas, manufacturing, high tech, tourism and transportation dominate the economic
landscape.
Climate
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State
Flower |
Denver has a comfortable arid climate where golf courses can remain open year
round. The city receives only 8-15 inches (20.3 - 38 cm) of precipitation and
records 300 days of sunshine a year. Winters are mild with an average daily high
of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. (7 degrees Celsius) It snows in Denver but usually the
snow melts in a short time. Chinook winds, a warm wind that blows in over the
mountains, can turn any winter day into a balmy 60 degree F (16 degrees C). In
the summer Denver is relatively cool and comfortable with temperatures highs between
73-80 degrees F (23 - 27 degrees C).
Transportation
Denver International Airport is 23 miles (37 kilometers) northeast of Downtown.
Opening in 1995, this massive airport has turned Denver into a national air travel
hub and is one of the nations' busiest airports. Traveling from the airport to
the city can be accomplished via taxi, limo, shuttle bus or the city bus. Car
rental agencies are also available right at the airport. Amtrak
and Greyhound
operate in the Denver area. There is a public transportation system in
Denver that serves the city and its suburbs. This effective bus and light rail
system is referred to as, The Ride.
Attractions
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Joggers |
Outdoor Activities abound. Denver is known as having the thinnest
population in the USA. Perhaps this is due to the incredible recreational opportunities
that Denverites have at their disposal. Within the city of Denver there are over
200 miles of running and bicycle paths weaving throughout the many parks and green
spaces. Free tennis courts are available throughout the city and for golf enthusiasts
there are many public golf courses.
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| Skiers
enjoying the Colorado Rockies |
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In the nearby foothills and mountains there are a plethora of activities - skiing,
boarding, hiking, river rafting, hang gliding, rock climbing - each season has
its own recreational smorgasbord. Visitors who neglect to bring along all their
sports equipment can rent just about anything from one of the many sports equipment
rental shops in Denver.
The Black American West Museum began as a hobby of Paul Stewart.
As a child playing Cowboys, he was told there was no such thing as a Black cowboy.
After meeting a real Black cowboy who drove cattle at the turn of the century,
Paul recognized that African Americans played a significant part in the settling
of the American west. He made it his mission to gather information about the cowboys
and settlers that history books did not mention. Legal documents, photos, letters,
newspapers, stories, and other memorabilia piece together the rich history and
the valuable contribution African Americans made in settling the west. The exhibit
is located in the home of Dr. Justina Ford, the first African American doctor
in Denver.
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Cowboy
Boots |
Buffalo
Bill's Grave & Museum is filled with artifacts honoring the famous
western scout and showman William 'Buffalo Bill' Cody. William F. Cody left home
at a young age. As a youth his adventures included cattle drives, fur trading,
gold mining and a mail deliverer for the Pony Express. William gained notoriety
and the nickname Buffalo Bill while serving as a scout during the Civil War. This
popular western adventurer's fame increased with the creation and world touring
of his Authentic Wild West Show. Buffalo Bill died in Denver and amidst some controversy
was buried upon Lookout Mountain. A few years after Buffalo Bill's burial a museum
honoring this famous frontiersman was created at the gravesite. Buffalo Bill's
resting place has a panoramic view of the mountains, the plains and the city.
Millions of visitors have made the journey to the gravesite of one of North American's
most famous Western figures.
The
Molly Brown House honors the memory of Molly Brown, heroine of the Titanic
disaster. During the wreck of the Titanic Molly Brown took a leadership role and
was said to have kept fellow passengers from life threatening panic. A colorful
figure during the heady gold rush of Denver, the nouveau rich Molly Brown surrounded
herself with beautiful things. Memorabilia from her colorful life are displayed
in her meticulously restored home.
Red
Rocks Amphitheatre, located 15 miles (23 kilometers) west of Denver,
is a wonderful place to hike, picnic, and listen to concerts. This natural amphitheater
is carved out of red sandstone cliffs and offers great acoustics, a distinctive
setting and a beautiful view. Red Rocks has hosted famous artists such as the
Beatles, U2 and Lyle Lovett as well as top symphony orchestras from around the
world. This concert venue is very special. The atmosphere at a Red Rocks concert
on a summer night with the lights of Denver twinkling in the background is truly
enchanting.
