Greenhouses with plants, 2014.

Centennial Farms & Ranches

Center Greenhouse

Adams County

In the early 1880s Pietro Yantorno, known later as Pete Center, migrated to Colorado from Calabria, Italy.  After working on the railroad for several years, he bought his farm in Adams County in 1889.

Image showing Yantorno family members. On the left: a 1920 image of Pietro Yantorno and his son August; on the right: August's son Frank Sr. and his sons and grandsons.

Yantorno family members past and present.

Photo courtesy of Center Greenhouse.

Growing celery, cabbage, lettuce and other vegetables, the family went into truck farming and marketed their produce at Denargo Market next to the old 15th Street viaduct in downtown Denver. 

Center Greenhouse field worker, 1940s.

Center Greenhouse field worker, 1940s.

Photo courtesy of Center Greenhouse.

The family farmed vegetables until 1950 when Pietro’s son August and his sons Pete, Frank Sr. and Carl constructed a set of greenhouses and switched to flower farming, mostly cut carnations.  During the 1970s oil crisis, Frank and his cousin Paul transitioned from cultivating cut flowers to growing finished bedding crops in order to make a higher profit and reduce heating costs.

House at Center Greenhouse, then and now.

House at Center Greenhouse, then and now.

Images courtesy of Center Greenhouse.

Several buildings from 1927, including the main house, garage and barn, are still in use, as are the original greenhouses and grading room.  Originally 27 acres, the land was reduced in size due to road construction, but today Frank Yantorno and sons Brian and Kenny continue to run a welcome bit of color and freshness in an increasingly busy, industrial area.  Center Greenhouse now sells bedding plants, ornamental grasses and herbs nationally.