Capitol Hill
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It takes all kinds to make a vibrant neighborhood and
Capitol Hill is defined by nothing so much as by diversity.
This is no squeaky clean, mixed-use, New Urbanism creation,
but rather a genuine big-city district with roots that
run deep into Denver's first decade of existence.
Henry C. Brown, owner-builder of the Brown Palace Hotel,
homesteaded here in 1860 and donated land for the capitol
building, while another original homesteader, John W.
Smith was hired in 1864 to build the 25-mile "City
Ditch" from the South Platte River to irrigate the
barren wasteland that was Capitol Hill, prior to completion
of the ditch, in 1867.
Water instantly transformed the Hill into a sought-after
residential neighborhood. With the Silver Boom in full
flower the rush was on to Capitol Hill, where weary urbanites
could escape the crush and din of dirty, overcrowded
downtown and savor magnificent views of the snow-capped
Rockies.
Notable
among its affluent residents were Horace Tabor; J.K.
Mullen, the philanthropist; smelter magnate Nathaniel
Hill; banker Charles Kountz, and, of course, Henry Brown.
The Hill's classic Queen Anne, eclectic Richardsonian
Romanesque, and refined Neoclassical mansions were designed
by Denver's leading architects including Fisher and Fisher,
Frank Edbrooke, and William Lang.
The tenor of the times changed dramatically on the heels
of the Silver Bust of 1893, and the nature of Capitol
Hill development changed with it, becoming more pedestrian
and middle class. A wave of apartment construction in
the 1920s was followed by the onset of the Great Depression
during which most homes on the Hill became multifamily
as people struggled to eke out a living.
Capitol
Hill's resurgence began in the 1970s when Historic Denver,
Inc. saved the Molly Brown House from the wrecking ball
and continues today as numerous dedicated neighborhood
groups and individuals labor to restore and revitalize
Colfax Avenue, "the city's next LoDo."
Here you'll find just about every convenience imaginable
along with ready access to vibrant nightlife in downtown
and LoDo and shopping galore at renowned Cherry Creek
Mall and Cherry Creek North. The recently completed Beauvallon,
on Capitol Hill's west edge, offers sophisticated urban
living amidst Euro-style shops and restaurants.
Wherever you choose to live on "The Hill," you'll
be within walking distance of Civic Center Park and Cultural
Center to the west and Cheeseman Park to the east, two
of Denver's largest parks. Capitol Hill is also home
to the Colorado School of Art and Design, Colorado Ballet,
Wild Oats Community Market, the Governor's Mansion, the
Gothic-style Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, and
St. John's Episcopal Cathedral.
Map of Capitol Hill Neighborhood Location:
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