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 The Colfax Museum (thecolfaxmuseum.org).

Thanks for visiting!

Casa Bernita

Waiting patiently for Casa Bernita to open. Hopefully soon!

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.

 

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.

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.

Colorado State Capitol

Photo by Captain Colorado

 

Pasternack's Pawn Shop

This is a family owned pawn shop which got its start in LoDo in Denver in 1919. The current shop, at 9745 E. Colfax Avenue in Aurora, might be the least-sketchy pawn shop I've ever been to. I don't even think there were metal bars on the windows.