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.

 

Colfax Avenue Historical Society

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 colfaxavenue.org.

Thanks for visiting!

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 thecolfaxmuseum@gmail.com.

Christmas Capitol of the World

City and County Building in Denver, Colorado

Denver is known to have one of the very first outdoor Christmas light displays because of Denver electrician David Sturgeon. In 1914, his son was too sick to celebrate Christmas with his family by their decorated tree but his father still wanted his son to be able to feel the holiday cheer! He dipped light bulbs in red and green paint, strung them with electrical wire, and placed them on a tree in his front yard in full view through his son’s window. Soon other Denver citizens began putting up outdoor holiday decorations like Sturgeon’s strand of lights.

 

By the 1920s many Denver homes glowed merry and bright with the spirit of Christmas, and the city proclaimed itself the “Christmas Capitol of the World.” In 1938, the city government began lighting up the City and County Building with Christmas lights, a tradition that continues to this day.

Sidewalk Talk

Photos by Karl Christian Krumpholz

Colfax is talking back.

Top Star Motel Sign Restoration

Photo by Jonny Barber

Always good to see classic neon being restored...this time it's the Top Star Motel sign at 10890 E. Colfax Avenue in Aurora.

Lazy-C Motor Lodge

  

Lazy-C Motor Lodge, East Colfax, 1970s (photo courtesy of the National Archives at Denver)