Stan's Auto Sales

Stan's Auto Sales, 7500 East Colfax, Denver (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

Also pictured is a sign for Bragdon's TV at 7540 East Colfax.

West Vernon Hotel

 West Vernon Hotel-Sid King's Crazy Horse Bar

This two-part commercial block at 1201 East Colfax Avenue was built in 1905 on lots 21 and 22 of block 31 in the Park Avenue Addition for a cost of $21,000. The three-story Mediterranean Revival style building was designed by architect Edwin H. Moorman, whose other works included the Fillmore Auditorium, Park Hill Fire Station, and the iconic Tower of Jewels at Lakeside Amusement Park. The property was owned by John S. and Nellie Flower.  John, a prominent investor and president of the Real Estate Exchange, had purchased the parcels in 1900 from the Jefferson Investment Company.

In 1912, the Flowers sold the building to the Scherrer Land and Investment Company. Through the years, many different commercial businesses occupied the ground level of the building.  Perhaps most notably, Sid King’s Crazy Horse Bar occupied the building beginning in 1948.  King and his partner Joseph Goodman purchased the building from owner William Vasil in 1965.  Westword magazine credited the Crazy Horse as one of the anchoring post-World War II properties on East Colfax that turned the thoroughfare into the “gauntlet of dives, XXX theatres, hookers, (and) drug deals…” An iconic Denver burlesque club, it attracted notable locals, celebrities, and dignitaries alike, among them Elvis Presley, King Hussein of Jordan, and Clint Eastwood. The interior and exterior of 1201 E. Colfax was included in Eastwood's 1978 film “Every Which Way But Loose.” Outside his club, Sid King was a noted philanthropist.

Denver Drumstick

Courtesy Save the Signs

Denver Drumstick, 6301 East Colfax, Denver

Other locations listed: 6801 West Colfax, 1490 South Colorado, 4095 South Santa Fe and 7400 North Federal.

6301 East Colfax was the 3rd location of Denver Drumstick. The original opened at 6801 West Colfax in 1955, but later moved to 6501 West Colfax in 1967.

Hickory Pit Bar Barbeque

 

Hickory Pit Bar Barbecue, 12039 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora, Colorado (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

It's unclear if this sign was ever made. In addition to the Colfax and Peoria restaurant, there were several other Denver-area locations over the years of a restaurant called "Hickory Pit" or "Hickory Pit Bar-B-Que."

Ads from 1954 proclaimed the Aurora restaurant to be "under new management." A 1959 newspaper article mentions the grand opening of Hickory Pit located at 7950 Federal Blvd in Westminster. The Westminster location advertised another grand opening in 1960. An ad from 1961 lists Hickory Pit Bar-B-Que at 28th and Downing and a 1965 ad lists it at 2861 Colorado Blvd.

A Bar D Motel

 

A Bar D Motel, 11891 West Colfax, Lakewood, Colorado, 1950s

Color Harmony Center

Color Harmony Center / Aurora Color Center, 10216 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora, Colorado (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

Mesa Motor Inn

 

West Colfax, 1976

 

Eden Motor Lodge

 

La Vista Motel

 

Compass Motor Lodge

 

Courtesy Motel

 

East Colfax, 1971

East Colfax & Fulton Street (looking east), Aurora, Colorado, 1971

Signs and businesses include White's Store (10061 East Colfax), Leher's Flowers (10115 East Colfax), Jester Lounge (10139 East Colfax), Taylor's Liquors (10201 East Colfax) and Coach Light Restaurant (10305 East Colfax).

Farmers Group Insurance

Farmers Group Insurance, 9955 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora, Colorado (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

Drive In Laundromat

  

Drive-In Laundromat, 10941 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora, Colorado (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

This building is still home to a laundromat today called Laundry on the Fax.

 

Chris Maurer's Town House Restaurant

Circle D Motel

 

Palomino Motor Lodge

 

Holiday Chalet

 

Ranger Motel

 

Pup 'n' Taco

Pup 'n' Taco, 1775 East Colfax, Denver, 1973 - 1985 (photos courtesy of Roger Wendell)

Bill Bayer's Holiday Inn

Courtesy Save the Signs

Bill Bayer's Holiday Inn, 6300 West Colfax Avenue, 1953

 

This ad for Bill Bayer's Holiday Inn appeared in the Fall 1953 edition of the Denver Yellow Pages. There's not much information to be found regarding this nightclub, but there are plenty of newspaper ads from the same period that reference the Turf Club, also listed at 6300 West Colfax. An ad dated August 1, 1953 even lists Bill Bayer as the new owner of the Turf Club. Perhaps he briefly considered changing the name but had second thoughts.

Hanger Neon & Sign Co.

Hanger Neon & Sign Co, 15225 East Colfax Avenue (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

Hanger Neon moved around the city over the years. In the early 1950s, they were located at 1323 Hanover St before moving to 1420 Kingston St. By the 1960s, they were located at 15225 East Colfax. By 1971, they had moved to 2177 West 10th Avenue in Denver.

Kenton Motel

Kenton Motel, 1463 Kenton St, Aurora, Colorado, (sketch courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and photographed by Todd Matuszewicz)

Although its sign is long gone and the Kenton Motel no longer exists as a business, the building still stands and the rooms now function as apartments. It's located behind the Radiant Motel on East Colfax and across the street from Jubilee Coffee Roasters.

Berry's Coffee Shop

Berry's Coffee Shop, 7030 West Colfax Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado, 1957

Berry's operated at this West Colfax address from approximately 1956 to 1963. By 1964, Berry's had moved to a new address at 3010 W 72nd Ave in Westminster. Architect Richard Crowther designed the West Colfax Berry's, making great use of natural light and creating an iconic structure that's sorely missed today.

The restaurant was run by brothers Joe and Jack Berry who reportedly also operated the Copper Kitchen restaurant at 8591 West Colfax. Copper Kitchen was also designed by Richard Crowther.

Colfax & Corona Street, 1988

 

Colfax Avenue & Corona Street, 1988.

New China Cafe

 

New China Cafe, 732 East Colfax, 1974

New China opened in 1942 and by 1973 they had moved to a new location at 4151 East Colfax. That location remained open until at least 1990 but was replaced by a Blockbuster Video soon after.

Other signs and businesses include Club Red Beret, Argonaut Liquors, Standard Oil and Safeway.

J. Solf Building

 

1976 Original Ira Gay Sealy Photo of the J. Solf Building on Colfax Avenue West.

Winter Scene, 1981

Snowy Winter Scene on East Colfax Avenue in Denver, 1981.

House of Flowers

House of Flowers, 9835 East Colfax, Aurora, Colorado (undated photo from the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

House of Flowers moved to 9835 East Colfax in 1963, a space that was previously occupied by Home Music Co. The building has since been demolished and replaced by Florence Square Apartments. Prior to 1963, House of Flowers was located directly across the street at 9834 East Colfax in a building that has also since been demolished.

Hy's Rendezvous

Hy's Rendezvous, 6000 East Colfax Avenue, Denver (1957)

This property has been home to many businesses over the years, including Chat & Chew Restaurant (1948-1956), Hy's Rendezvous (1957), Club 6000 (1958-1960), The Embers (1961-1966), Peacock Alley (1967), The Rest of the Week (1969-1972), Tipsy Tiger (1974-19??) and Platinum Cleaners. It's currently owned by City Floral and has been recently renovated to house a plant fulfillment center called The Greenhouse.

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In 1958, the Shaner brothers bought this property to build a motel, with plans to rename the nightclub "The Gaiety."

Western Hills Motel

Western Hills Motel, 5035 East Colfax Avenue, Denver

This sign is still standing, minus the covered wagon. In 2018, an LED box was built around the sign, but the original is still hiding inside.

Erica Arthur

Neon sign rendering for Erica Arthur Fashion Shop, 9724 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora, Colorado (1950s rendering courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and photographed by Todd Matuszewicz)

Erica Fashion was at 9724 East Colfax from about 1956 to 1960. In the early 1960s, it became home to Tinn's Fashion Shop. By the late 1960's it was home to Arapahoe Music.

 

 

B.K. Sweeney

BK Sweeney Auto Supplies, 9429 East Colfax Avenue (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

9429 East Colfax was home to Stop & Shop Super Market in the 1940s before BK Sweeney opened there in 1949. By November 1956, the building was home to Creel Automotive. Advertisements from 1933 show that the address was once home to Joe's Battery Service, a supporting business of the National Recovery Administration, which was established by FDR during the Great Depression.

Cactus Motel

Cactus Motel, 10547 East Colfax, Aurora, Colorado

Fat Daddy's Fun Center & Colony Lounge

Fat Daddy's Fun Center & Colony Lounge, East Colfax Avenue & Pearl St, Denver, 1974

Alliman Cain Appliances

 

Alliman Cain Appliances, 10214 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora, Colorado (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

Argonaut Liquors, 1975

Courtesy Save the Signs

Argonaut Liquors, 700 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, 1975.

Also pictured is Safeway, which later became the recently closed Natural Grocers.

Smith's Garage

Smith's Garage & Auto Sales, Aurora? (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

Anyone have an idea as to the address?

 

City Elite Cleaners

 City Elite Cleaners, 6390 West Colfax, Lakewood, Colorado, 1959

Fairfax Hardware

Fairfax Hardware, 5022 East Colfax, Denver (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

This building is now home to several businesses including the Owl Saloon. The yellow and orange sign is still there and now reads "Fairfax Plaza."

Bargain

 

Riviera Motel Van

 

Trigg-McClure Realty

Trigg-McClure Realty, 11090 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

Also pictured are signs for Radiant Motel and Skyline Motel.

Porter's Tots & Teens Shoes

Porter's Tots & Teens Shoes, 10610 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora, Colorado (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

Boling Trailer Sales

Boling Trailer Sales, 11520 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora, Colorado (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz).

Ads from mid-to-late 1952 locate Boling Trailers at 8900 East Colfax, which is the current address of Biltmore Motel (built in 1956). Ads from February and March of 1952 locate Boling at 2567 South Broadway. A 1955 obituary for Floyd Boling states that he and his wife moved from Oklahoma to Denver in 1942 and started the business around that time.

Gambles, The Friendly Store

Gambles, "The Friendly Store," 10260 East Colfax, Aurora, Colorado (undated photo from the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

Weiss Drugs

Courtesy Save the Signs

Weiss Drugs, 5001 East Colfax, Denver, 1947

Other signs and businesses include Ski Inc (5081 East Colfax) Joe's Barber Shop (5089 East Colfax) and Norman's Casual Shop (5091 East Colfax).

The Weiss Drugs building is still standing and is now a restaurant called The W Denver.

La Vista Motel

Courtesy Save the Signs

La Vista Motel, 5500 East Colfax, Denver, 1960

This motel, along with its sign, is still standing. New owners are in the process of renovating both the sign and the building, returning the property to a mid century aesthetic.