Album of Denver, Col

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STATE CAPITOL BUILDING, DEN V E R, CO LOR ADO. *

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J.W.BAILEY, RES. COR. GRANT & CAPITOL AVES.

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HOTEL METRO POLE. Broadway.

ST. J AMES HOTEL, CURTIS ST

CLAYTON BLOCK. 15 TH ST.

ST. JOHN'S CATHEDRAL episcopal

UNITARIAN CHURCH

ST. PAULS M E. CHURCH, evan's chapel.

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LOTHROP BLOCK. COR. LAWRENCE AND 18 ST.

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER

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RES DAVID H MOFFAT LINCOLN AVE

BROADWAY DRIVE

NEW BARTH BLOCK cor. sixteenth and stout st

TABOR OPERA HOUSE

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CITY HALL.

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KEENER BLOCK

HENRY LEE BLOCK

EVANS BLOCK, larimer st.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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WINDSOR HOTEL

VIEW ON SIXTEENTH STREET.

DENVER, COLORADO

POPULATION, 82,000.

Published and Copyrighted, 1887, by Ward Bbos., Dealers in View Albums of all American Cities,

Columbus, Ohio.

THE capital and principal city of Colorado, the seat of Arapahoe County, lies at an altitude of 5,197
near the western border of the plains, and within twelve miles of the mountains, the front
range of which may be seen for a distance of two hundred miles.
Where, in 1858, there were only a few log cabins, tents and wagons to shelter about a hundred people,

are now many thousands ol tine buildings, many of which have oosl from - <M,000.

Where then not a shade tree existed, are now over 500,000 In the yards ami bordering the sidewalks,
nourished by streams of fine water, which are distributed through ditches and gutters running parallel

with the walks.

l»en traight, and everywhere well shaded with lines "f tine OOttOOWOOd and

maple trees, and the keeping of a turf or garden after it! a., is merely a matter of waterii

garden la kept moisl mainly by flooding from the Irrigating ditch in the street ox alley, but the turf of the
lawn and the shrubbery owe their verdure to sprinkling with the ham] hi

Denverites boast greatly of their climate. That the air is pure and invigorating, is to be expected, at
a point on a plateau a mile above sea level, with a range of snow-covered mountains in sight. From the
beginning to the end of warm weather it rarely rains, except occasional thunder storms in July and
August. September witnesses a few storms, succeeded by cool, charming weather. The coldest season
comes after New Year's day, and lasts rarely until April. Then come the May storms and floods from the
mountains, followed by a delightful summer.

Though summer heat occasionally reaches a hundred at mid-day, yet it rarely feels uncomfortable in
the shade (there being a total absence of that " sticky feeling" so frequently found in the East), and with
sunset comes coolness, and the nights allow refreshing sleep.

In winter the temperature is quite even, though sometimes the mercury sinks to twenty degrees below
zero, but one does not feel this severity as much as he would a far less degree of cold in the damp, raw
climate of the East. Snow is frequent, but rarely plentiful enough for sleighing.

One grand feature of the climate here is its sunshine. It is the privilege of the inhabitants of this city
and State to see the sun more days in the year, and tor more hours each day, than falls to the lot of. those
living in other portions of this country. To the invalid this element of sunshine cannot be overrated in
importance, for it can be taken somewhat as a guage of bis ability to lead an out of door life.

Consumptives, where the disease has just made its appearance, do well here, and almost invariably go
on to a complete recovery ; while those far advanced are injured rather than benefitted, and are in fact
hastened to their graves.

Asthmatics find relief in this climate, and are able to live here without inconvenience and anguish to
themselves, but, however, a return to the old abodes is apt to bring on fresh attacks.

The sanitary condition of Denver is excellent, being situated on the edge of the plains, which, starting
from the foot-hills, some fourteen miles away, slope gradually towards the east. The Platte. river, dashing
out of the mountains, flows through the city, and serves, for the most part, in keeping up the shade trees
and allaying the dust. Artesian wells everywhere throughout the city supply the purest of water. Some
of the deeper wells have certain mineral ingredients which give valuable medicinal properties to the water.

The industries of Denver are three-fold, viz., mining, stock-raising and agriculture. The first of these
is most important ; about 75,000 lodes have been discovered in Colorado, and numberless placers. Only a
small portion of these, of course, were worked remuneratively, but the total production, from date of dis-
covery in 1859 to December 31st, 1886, was $265,584,526.60, or an average of over nine million dollars a year.
The output for 1859 was only $500,000, while that of 1886>was $23,717,340, of which $4,447,077 was gold,
$14,083,190 silver, $5,143,566 lead, and $43,507 copper.

Gold milling ia now more actively prosecuted than for many years, and the outlook for a heavier gold
product in future years is one of the hrightest features of the mining industry of Colorado.

Of silver mines, it is sufficient to say it is to her inexhaustable deposits of that predotU metal that
Colorado owes her supremacy among the Rocky Mountain Hi

Coal mining has advanced in ('(dorado with prodigious strides, and compare favorably with the rifting
Of the Other industries of the State. All varieties of coal are found in the State, along railway lines
centering in the city. The total output for the year 1886 was 1,436,211 tons.

nsive discoveries are being made yearly in the iron mines of the State ; the mountains are full of
iron ore, and the western counties are especially prolific of iron deposits.

The second great source of revenue to Denver is the cattle and sheep of the State. The worthless looking
buffalo gra&S, growing in little tufts, so scattered that the dust shows itself everywhere Let ween, has proved
olorado's most prolific avenues of wealth. The herds now reported in the state are estimated at
1,600,000 head. The wool clip of the state for 1886 was estimated at a little less than 8,000,000 pounds.

The third large Item incident to its prosperity is agriculture. Its success In Colorado la due to the fact
that the farmers on the plains put water on their crops at pleasure, by means of canals, into which the wa-
ter is turned from its natural bed at high points near the mountains. Farming is, therefore, routined to
the valleys of the streams and the uplands contiguous to them, while the intermediate country lying
between the rivers is good only for grazing, owing to the lack of water.

The progress of irrigation in Colorado within the last five years has been very rapid, large corporations
have constructed irrigating canals, looking for their remuneration in the sale of water. The soil of Color-
ado, when thus watered, Is exceedingly fertile, and the product per acre in certain crops is very large.

Wheat sometimes yields as high as forty bushels per sere, and is of exceptionally line quality. Pota-
toes aro very -m-i -essfuiiy grown, Vegetables grow to an enormous si/c, and are of a superior quality.

Small fruits are very BUCCeSSfully grown, hut as yet fruit raising is in its infancy.

One of the most profitable crops thai can he grown in Colorado is alfalfa. It Is almost eqaal to corn la
fattening qualities, and cattle can be ready for market in the spring by feeding them on alfalfa during the
winter.

From three to four crops can hecui • me ground, the aggregate yield being from

four to six. tons per

The manufacturing interests oi Denver arc still in their infamy. As In all Qi ire the

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last to be developed. Therefore nearly fifteen years passed after the first settlement in Denver before man-
ufacturing, other than jobbing and general repairing, received much attention. The pioneer manufacturer
was the miller, with his small plant to grind Colorado wheat into flour; then a harness shop, a wagon shop,
a planing mill, a foundry and machine shop. In 1874 was built a tannery, a year later a collar and whip
factory, a broom factory, a cracker bakery, a brewery, &c.

It has been estimated that the combined output of Denver factories for the year 1875 would not exceed
$500,000. Statistics for the year 1886 show the value of manufactured product to be upwards of $24,000,000.
a phenominal increase in the short period of eleven years.

The largest manufacturers here are, of course, the smelters, among which the Boston & Colorado Smelt
ing Company's works at Argo are the largest, and merit a short description here :

This company was organized in 1867 by Prof. N. P. Hill, who still continues to be the general manager,
The first furnace was erected in Black Hawk, Gilpin county, in 1867, at B time when the mining industry
in Colorado was almost abandoned for the want of suitable facilities for treating the refractory ores. All the
methods for working these ores, which had been tried hitherto, had proved to bo failures. The erection and
successful operation of these works gave a great impetus to the business of mining, which has steadily in- .
creased to the present time, and also led to the building of other metallurgical establishments in different
parts of the State. The works at Black Hawk were abandoned in 1878, and a new establishment was erected
at Argo, two miles from Denver.

There are now employed in these works forty-one smelting and calcining furnaces, and the buildings,
which cover four acres of ground, present a substantial appearance, being constructed mainly of iron and
stone.

An important feature of these works is the refining department. The process by which the gold, silver
and copper are separated and purified, is the most interesting one that can be witnessed anywhere. The
silver is sent from the works in a state of absolute purity. The gold is reduced to the fineness of gold coin,
and the copper is put in a condition to make alloys, such as brass, yellow metal, etc.

Another institution that takes first rank among its kind may be mentioned The Tabor Investment Com- _
pany, with the offices in the Tabor Grand Opera House building. It was organized in January, 1885. by
Hon. H. A. W. Tabor, Capt. T. L. Wiswall, Peter McCourt, and Prof. L. Seaman. It has branch offices and
agents in all the principal money centers of the world. They purchase and sell mines, cattle ranches, land
grants, and all extensive property interests, seeking capital on a large scale. No property is too large to
handle, and many of their deals amount to millions of dollars. They handle nothing but what is first-class

ami will hoar the closest Inspection. They can, owing to their high standing and known Integrity, procure
mines from owners on bond and otherwise, where other parties would meet with refusal. They hare the

confidence of leading capitalists, so that they can And* market where others cannot.

The company guarantees its offerings, and never makes a sale where dividends on good management
does doI result, its President, ex-Governor ami Senator Tabor, made an immense fortune in Leadvift

i made i>y any man. He is correctly known as the greatesl mining judge and Operator in Colorado,

and his opinion is sought on all occasions in mining atl'airs. Mine owners seeking capital, and capitalists

Lng property, can not do better than entrust their business in the hands of this reliable and mighty

company.

No city in the I'nion offers greater Inducement bO manufacturers to locate, than Denver. Many impor-
tant branches are represented. To-day may be found good openings for paper mills, stove foundries, tan-
neries, glue factories, shoe factories, wagon, carriage, implement and tool works. Almost within the limits
of the city are found sand, soda and other necessary materials in ureal abundance and of the besl quality for
the manufacture of glass. In the mountains hard by, are found the best oi iron or.' with abundance of coal
and wood awaiting the much-needed blast furnace, which would at once have a large patron

Denver is built, not only with the capital of her own citizens, but constructed of materials close at
band. Very substantia] hrick, kilned in the suburbs, an; the favorite materials. A pinkish trachite, ring-
ing under a blow with a metallic sound, is largely used in trimmings. Sandstone, marble and limestone are
abundant enough for all needs. Citizens of Denver point with pride to the Presbyterian Church, King
Block, Union Depot and Windsor Hotel as examples of what has been done and what can he done with the
building stone of Colorado.

Coarse lumber is supplied by the high ] . hut all the hard wood and tine lumber la brought

from the Bast, The fuel was formerly wholly lignite coal, but the extension oi the railway to Canon City,
El lioro and the (iunnison, has made the harder variety accessible and cheap.

Denver Is justly proud oi her school buildings, constructed and managed upon the most improved plans;

and the superiority Of he;- school system over that of any other city in the West, ll largely due to tl

that the administration of educational affairs has been carefully held out of politics, and the boards of direo-

kors are Invariably Chosen from a class known to he thoroughly devoted to the cau>e, and Willing to faith-

fully discharge the duties entrusted to them. The Public Schools number about twenty-one, with a total

valuation of over in addiUon to the Public - \er has a 01

which rank well with their classes in other cities ; among the latter may he mentioned ttv iver-

nd Wolfe Hall.

In proportion to population, Denver is perhaps as well supplied with churches as any city in the
Union. Some of the church edifices are large and costly and imposing in architectural appearance.
During 1883 seventeen churches were erected and there are now (1887) about sixty-two, approximately
valued at about 81,000,000.

By the rapid multiplication of iron thoroughfares, Denver has become the center of thirteen distinct
lines of railway. The first road, 160 miles northward to Cheyenne, was completed in June, 1870. Since
then railway building has been almost continuous, until now Denver is connected by four standard-gauge
lines with the East, and three (two standard and one narrow-gauge) with the Pacific Coast as well as with
all the prominent towns on the plains and in the mountains of her own state. Denver is the headquarters
of all the roads in the state and many of the Eastern trunk lines have their representatives here.

In every respect the situation in Real Estate is an improvement upon what it was a year ago ; sales are
more numerous, the demand is larger, and business is more extensive. During the year 1885 real estate
sales amounted to over §11,000,000. Rents are now on a par with other live and growing cities. It is now
possible for manufacturing operatives to live here, which fact is giving great impetus to small manufactur-
ing, and in turn is creating a new demand for low-cost dwellings.

The fashion n(ow is for every man to own his own home, however humble, and Denver is fast rivaling
Philadelphia as a city of homes. Each succeeding year makes a stride forward in the character and value
of Denver buildings, and the city has now fronts aDd residences which will compare favorably with those of
any city in the Union. Among the most prominent may be mentioned the Union Depot, built of large stone,
is 503 feet in length and 65 feet in width, and the center surmounted by a tower 108 feet high. The cost was
about $450 ,000.

The Tabor Grand Opera House, a five-story structure of stone and pressed brick, 200 feet long and 125
feet wide, and cost about §700,000, is said to be the most elegant and beautiful theatre in the United States.

The County Court House was completed at a cost of $300,000.

The City Hall, an imposing edifice of stone, situated on the right bank of Cherry Creek, cost $200,000.
The Windsor Hotel, corner 18th and Larimer, $250,000. The foundations have been laid for the United
States Custom House and Post-Office building, which will be a handsome structure, and cost in the neigh-
borhood of 1,000,600. The Colorado State Capitol will be 295 feet long, 192 feet deep at the centre of the
building, and 326 feet high, surmounted by a statue of Colorado. ^

Tastes and needs so widely differ that almost any spot in the numerous parks, valleys and canons of the
State may be truly termed somebody's favorite resort. At the head of fashionable haunts stands Manitou

Springs, a beautifully located village at the fool of Pike's Peak, six milee wesl of Colorado Sprinj
oonnected sritb Denver by means ol the i>. A R. <;. U'y. Idaho Springs, on the Colorado Central narrow-
gauge division, La reached by a ride through the famous Clear Creek Canon, it Is thirty-eight mil
Denver. Estes Park, eighty-live miles northwest of Denver, via Union Pacific to Longmont, thence by
^ht hours ride, is pronounosd t he most beautiful of Rocky Mountain Parks, it lies at the very base
of Long's Peak, is about ten miles square, and 8,000 feet above sea level. Middle Park lies In Q
heart of the Rockies, one hundred miles west of Denver, al an altitude of it Is ninety by one

hundred miles in extent.

Denver society Is cosmopolitan. Five hundred people a day, it Is said, enter Colorado, and nine-tenths
of this multitude pass through Denver.

Nmv-a-days, " the tour" of the United states is Incomplete If this mountain city Is omitted. Tims the

of her hotels hear many foreign autographs Of world-wide reputation. Surprise is often expressed

by the critical among these visitors at the totally unexpected degree of Intelligence and appreciation of the
lined methods of thought and handiwork that greet them here. And, withal, there is a most
charming freedom of acquaintance and Intercourse, free from all chill and exelusiveness, or regard for
* Who was your grandfather?" Set this good fellowship by no means d« - algarity, or permits

itself to bo abused. After all, it is only New York, New England and Ohio transplanted and considerably

enlivened and truly deserves its title to being " The Queen City of the W(

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