Sunday, May 23, 2021

Colfax Avenue Museum

Colfax Avenue, the Longest, Wickedest Main Street in America, has a colorful and vibrant history that must be preserved. This site is a gift to the people of Colorado and the World for historical archival purposes. All content can be found through the links in the right hand column or use the search feature in the top left. If you use any content, please credit the Colfax Avenue Museum.
 
Please visit the Colfax Avenue Museum exhibit currently on display at History Colorado entitled Forty Years on the 'Fax!
 
Thanks for visiting!




Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Monday, January 18, 2021

Seen on Colfax: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Photo by Jonny Barber

Martin Luther King, Jr. statue as it stands in front of the Martin Luther King Jr. Library at 9898 E. Colfax Avenue in Aurora. I hope his dream comes true.

 

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

History of the Lion's Lair

The Playboy Lounge (photo courtesy Save the Signs)

The CBGB's of Denver, the Lion's Lair at 2022 E. Colfax Avenue, has a storied history. Upon further research through old Denver phone books and public records, this timeline emerged:

1926: Jno B Jr. Nellegar Autos (earliest available record)
1927-1928: Capital Motor Co.
1929:
Capitol Motor Co.
1930
: Vacant
1931: De Berry Garment Co.
1933: GF Johnson Women's Wear
1934: Alvin T. Johnson Women’s Wear
1935-1936: Chas Gibboney took over the building as a restaurateur; later operated by Frank Banta (business name unknown)
1937-1938: The Salad Bowl (restaurant)
1939: The Skol Inn
1940-1955: Aladdin Tavern
1956-1962: Playboy Lounge
1963-1967: The Playroom
1968-1971: Aladdin Lounge
1972-1973: Lyon’s Lair, after the new owner John Lyons.
1974: The Lion’s Lair

In the interest of historical accuracy, please send any additions or corrections to colfaxavenuemuseum@gmail.com.

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Blue Onion Demolished

The Blue Onion in the 1980's, courtesy Reed Weimer

Photo of the Blue Onion today, courtesy Colfax Jack

The former Blue Onion Restaurant building on East Colfax has been demolished. The building has been vacant for a few years and the Blue Onion signage was removed decades ago, but it's still sad to see it go.