Saturday, April 30, 2016

Eddie Bohn's Pig 'n Whistle Village

Postcard courtesy The Colfax Museum Collection
The legendary Eddie Bohn's Pig 'n Whistle Village on West Colfax Avenue.

Located on West Colfax, Eddie Bohn’s Pig ’N Whistle was much more than just another motel along Highway 40. Rib joint, filling station and repair shop, boxer training facility, Hollywood movie location and celebrity hot spot; when Colfax Ave. was the heart line of Denver, Eddie Bohn’s was an institution. Colorado Boxing Commissioner and a fighter himself, Eddie Bohn was sparring partner for Jack Dempsey. Over the years, the Pig ‘N Whistle hosted a number of pugilists including Max and Buddy Bear, Primo Carnera, Gene Fullmer and even the young Corky Gonzales, Denver-born Chicano Rights Activist. The walls of the Pig ’N Whistle’s restaurant were adorned with photos of the sports, entertainment and political stars Eddie Bohn was friends with. Like so many landmarks, the advent of the Interstate Highway heralded the end times for the Pig ’N Whistle, which eventually burned down in 2010.

Friday, April 29, 2016

Colfax Casualties: Heritage Square

One of the more recent casualties of Colfax to the New Denver: Heritage Square, in the process of being torn down.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

The Mint Hotel, 1922

A group of people stand near the Mint Hotel at Tremont Place and Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colorado, on December 18, 1922 just after the "Great Mint Robbery" occurred the same day. Throngs of people gathered across from the Mint after the event.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Original Aurora Snowstorm, 1946

Original Aurora at Colfax and Dayton Street snowstorm, photographer standing on 9640 E Colfax Ave., 1946

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Golden Hours Motel

Looks like everyone's having fun at the Golden Hours Motel! This is the Lakewood motel on West Colfax where John Hinckley Jr. stayed in Room 29 for sixteen days and nights while planning to assassinate President Ronald Reagan.


Monday, April 25, 2016

Aurora Community Church, 1925

Aurora Community Church, East Colfax Avenue and Fulton Street, 1925. (courtesy Aurora History Museum)

"Amazing, I didn't know that a photo existed of this Aurora landmark. You can see the bell at the top of the steeple. When you got to be a "Big Kid" you could apply for the bell-ringing crew. A rope exited one of the walls in the steeple. Several "big kids" would grasp the rope and pull in unison. You could hear the bell all over town, which wasn't very big in the 40's." - says Aurora resident Bob Yeager.

Friday, April 22, 2016

Actress Sue Lyon at the Bugs Bunny Motel

Actress Sue Lyon (Lolita) reputedly tried to commit suicide by jumping out the window of the Bugs Bunny Motel, but failed miserably, as the motel is only one story.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Hollyweed

I guess this is what it's all come down to...I'm seeing more out-of-state license plates in Denver than I am when I'm out-of-state!

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Aura of Welcome at Aurora


Bert Rose (left), president of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, and Aurora Mayor Allen Bradley at ceremonies dedicating the city's "Gateway to the Rockies" entrance from the east, on Colfax Avenue (U.S. 40) in 1959.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Colfax Business Improvement District Unveils New Spring Banners

The Colfax Business Improvement District (CBID) is currently completing the installation of 164 new “Colfax Creates” banners highlighting the wide variety of artistic expression found in the people and businesses of the BID’s stretch of the storied avenue from Grant to Columbine, using bold images to showcase the creative side of Colfax Avenue.

Whether it is a Japanese fullback tattoo from Bound by Design, performer Henry Graham in a feathered headdress, a handsculpted beer tap from Lost Highway Brewing or a gleaming vintage VW bus restored by Maaco Auto Painting, the new campaign accentuates what Colfax Avenue has to offer.

Other discoveries turned to images include:

● “Mother” bust sculpture from AUM Framing and Gallery
● Vintage Powell Peralta skull skateboard from 303 Boards
● Handcrafted Marguerite Sprecht jewelry from Studio Colfax
● Violetta (lady with butterfly) portrait from Bound by Design
● Floyd’s 99 Barbershop stylist Stacy Tomlin’s magnificent mohawk
● Elegant custom (Colfax!) cakes from Mulberries Cake Shop
● Handmade and decorated ice cream sandwiches from Ice Cream Riot

“Colfax Avenue is a community, not just a commute,” said Frank Locantore, Community Director for Colfax BID. “Our businesses are original by nature and independent by choice. When you see these banners of our artists, entrepreneurs and entertainers, you know you’ve entered a creative stretch of Colfax. We’re proud of our businesses and we want Denver to take a fresh look.”

For 2016, in addition to the banners, CBID has organized a new Street Art Committee partly funded by Denver’s Arts & Venues through its P.S. You Are Here grant program. The committee is planning more public art this summer, including painting creative crosswalks at two intersections in June.

The Colfax Business Improvement District , encompassing Colfax Avenue from Grant to Columbine and 14th to 16th in the Capitol Hill/Uptown neighborhoods, exists to promote economic vitality and advocate on behalf of the area businesses. A self-taxing, quasi-governmental entity formed in 1989, CBID has overseen improved street maintenance, installation of Halo cameras and historic street lights, and created events such as the Victorian Holiday House Tour and Root 40 Music Festival.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Palm Theater, 1923

Ad for the Palm Theater, 1923. The Jewish Theatrical Company operated from 1922-1926. ‪#‎WestColfax‬

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Schachet Mercantile Company

Schachet Mercantile Company on West Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colorado. The building was originally built as a saloon in 1896, rented by Eli Schachet and his sons in 1918 and served as the headquarters for their meat and fish store until it closed in 1981. ‪#‎WestColfax‬

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Peerless Smelting Works, 1908

Peerless Smelting Works at 2022 West Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colorado. Adolph Kiesler, standing in the center, started the Peerless Alloy Company in Denver in 1908. ‪#‎WestColfax‬

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

American Songwiter Magazine

"Denver's Colfax Avenue is one of America’s great urban streets, as important to understanding the Modern West as the Monument Valley of John Ford’s westerns is to the Old West." - Steven Rosen, American Songwriter Magazine

Monday, April 11, 2016

Pencol Drug Store, 1951

Azriel Stein stands behind the counter at his drugstore, Pencol Drug, which was located at Pennsylvania Street and Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colorado. (Photo taken by Irene Miller Stein in 1951)

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Star Bakery Delivery Wagon

In this photo taken in 1915, two horses pull the Star Bakery delivery wagon and the driver leans out the side. The words ''Rye Bread'' and ''2744 W. Colfax'' appear on the side of the wagon with the Jewish star symbol. The Star Bakery was founded by Jacob Boscowitz and was later owned by his sons, Rudy and Sam Boscoe. Photo by Mrs. Sam Boscoe.

Friday, April 8, 2016

Furs by Andre

"Furs by Andre" Store, located on the north side of East Colfax Ave. in Denver, Colorado between his DeLuxe Store and York Street. Circa 1949-1950.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Colfax Avenue in Strasburg, Colorado in 1911

Not a lot happening in downtown Strasburg, Colorado in 1911...then again not much happening there today!

Monday, April 4, 2016

#SeenOnColfax: James Stewart

Actor James Stewart made a cameo on Colfax Avenue while starring in "The Glenn Miller Story" in 1954. You can see the Colorado State Capitol building in the background of the phone booth where he is making a call.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Hollywood/Colfax Walk of Fame: Douglas Fairbanks

Douglas Fairbanks Hand and Foot Prints (photo by Jonny B.)
Spent the week in Hollywood, and thought it was cool to see East High School graduate Douglas Fairbanks in the cement at the Chinese Theater!

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Friday, April 1, 2016

Trump Towers on Colfax

Donald Trump announced in a press conference today that he plans to build a new Twin Trump Towers on East Colfax Avenue. This move will allow those that feel above everyone else to be able to look down on East Colfax denizens and feel superior, while getting some incredible people watching opportunity through the glass floor.