Properties listed under this submission are located in the land annexed to the City and County of Denver in 1988 for the construction of Denver International Airport.  Historic resources in this area were identified which date from as early as 1860.  The properties reflect the early Anglo-American development of the area beginning with homestead farming, include road and railroad developments, and continue on through the mid-20th century.  

The Haynes Townhomes were constructed in 1893, following a design by prominent local architect William Lang. 

This once-grimy coal-mining town has been reborn as one of Colorado’s best-preserved and most popular resort towns.  Founded in 1878, Crested Butte sits in a remote, magnificent mountain valley at 8,885 feet and is named for the most prominent of many nearby peaks.

The preservation community rightly praises builders, craftspeople, and architects who marshaled capital and creativity to construct the landmarks that define our neighborhoods. Buildings or structures that are associated with significant people and are distinguished by "the work of a master" are often rewarded with eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. Less often do we cheer the people who didn't build; the stewards who, through accident or intent, fashioned a balance between built and natural beauty.

William Henry Jackson is one of the American West’s best-known photographers, and History Colorado is fortunate to hold a large portion of his photographic oeuvre as well as a manuscript collection (MSS #341) containing correspondence, diaries, and other records of Jackson’s remarkable life. One of the more unusual items in our Jackson manuscript collection is a full report of a phrenological examination performed on Jackson when he was 18 years old by “Professor” O.S. Fowler. The pseudoscience of phrenology was popular in the 19th century and posited that the size and shape of a person’s head revealed information about that individual’s personality, character, and capabilities. While the practice has been thoroughly debunked, Fowler at least seems to have hit on something when he described Jackson’s capacity for artistic genius.

The National Register of Historic Places and Colorado State Register of Historic Properties is one tool that recognizes National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from mid-September to mid-October.

In 1988 Bernice Lang donated her doll collection to History Colorado. Currently, staff and volunteers are working on the collection, originally started by Bernice’s mother, Minnie Belle Jackson, who came to Colorado by wagon as a child in 1867.

History Colorado is very excited to share  “Ute Tribal Paths”, a free online exhibit and digital badge on Ute Indian history, traditions and contemporary lives.

Click here to access the Online Exhibit→

Soon to be on exhibit, this beautiful coffee service set has a unique history—not only because of who owned it, but also who made it. From the estate of Townsend Sherman McAllister, the set was donated to History Colorado in 1970. The donor’s father, Henry McAllister Jr. was raised in Colorado Springs and in 1896 married his college sweetheart Phebe Ketcham of Jericho, Long Island. In 1898, son Townsend Sherman was born in Colorado Springs, followed by Henry III in 1904. In 1906, the family moved to Denver where Henry Jr. established his general law practice. Phebe was active in St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, as well as in the Colonial Dames and Monday Literary Club. A prominent family in Denver, the McAllisters often entertained in their home at 1880 Gaylord Street. Guests not only enjoyed good food and company, they sat on antique furniture from Phebe’s family who settled Jericho, Long Island, during Colonial times and enjoyed beautiful art.

While the construction to expand the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose is moving along nicely, the exhibit team at History Colorado is busy planning the new exhibits to be installed there. One of the most exciting parts of exhibit development is selection of the artifacts to support the stories of the Ute people that we will tell.