COLORADO: THE CENTENNIAL STATE
BY CLAY
LARROY
Do
you feel like it is time for a short vacation? Once you decide to travel, how good you plan the trip
will help you feel comfortable and be comfortable at your destination. Not only
will you feel less anxiety before the trip, but you can rest assured that once
you arrive where you're going you will have a good understanding of what's
going on there. When you need to plan a vacation contact me!
DENVER
“THE MILE HIGH CITY”
Denver
History
Denver was built on the
fortunes of gold and the railroads. In the summer of 1858, a small group of
prospectors made a significant gold discovery at the base of the Rocky
Mountains.
The mere whisper of the
word was enough to attract thousands to the banks of the South Platte River in
search of the precious metal.
While the ‘Pikes Peak or Bust' gold rush was in full force, General William Larimer laid out a city and, in hopes of gaining political favor, named the city after Kansas territorial governor James Denver.
It became the capital of Colorado in 1867.
When a gold strike was discovered in nearby Central City, Denver became a near ghost town. It bounced back, however, and began to grow as a trade center. In following years, Denver fought off a Texan Confederate army, experienced a great fire, endured a flash flood and saw an Indian war cut off their food supply lines.
While these hardships were just that, hard, the citizens were determined for the city to survive. When the Union Pacific Railroad evaded Denver, the citizens raised enough money to build a railroad that would meet the Union Pacific in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The city's display of perseverance was rewarded when the Kansas Pacific Railroad was built crossing the plains to Denver. Not much later, a silver strike made Denver a boomtown once again.
It was not until 1953, with the construction of the first skyscrapers, that Denver started the transformation from cow town to vibrant modern city.
While the ‘Pikes Peak or Bust' gold rush was in full force, General William Larimer laid out a city and, in hopes of gaining political favor, named the city after Kansas territorial governor James Denver.
It became the capital of Colorado in 1867.
When a gold strike was discovered in nearby Central City, Denver became a near ghost town. It bounced back, however, and began to grow as a trade center. In following years, Denver fought off a Texan Confederate army, experienced a great fire, endured a flash flood and saw an Indian war cut off their food supply lines.
While these hardships were just that, hard, the citizens were determined for the city to survive. When the Union Pacific Railroad evaded Denver, the citizens raised enough money to build a railroad that would meet the Union Pacific in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The city's display of perseverance was rewarded when the Kansas Pacific Railroad was built crossing the plains to Denver. Not much later, a silver strike made Denver a boomtown once again.
It was not until 1953, with the construction of the first skyscrapers, that Denver started the transformation from cow town to vibrant modern city.
Did you know?
- Denver's most famous beer, Coors, was originally brewed with Rocky Mountain water - a recipe that exists to this day.
- Titanic survivor, Margaret Molly Brown, made her fortune on Denver's gold rush and became known as 'Unsinkable Molly".
- In 1902, police at Denver Union Station banned kissing on the platforms because it was delaying the trains.
- Denver's most famous beer, Coors, was originally brewed with Rocky Mountain water - a recipe that exists to this day.
- Titanic survivor, Margaret Molly Brown, made her fortune on Denver's gold rush and became known as 'Unsinkable Molly".
- In 1902, police at Denver Union Station banned kissing on the platforms because it was delaying the trains.
Things
to do in Denver
Activities
Fly fishing
Go on a fly-fishing trip
with Colorado Trout Hunters, one of the best fly-fishing guide services in the
region. Participants can choose to fish on a beautiful high mountain lake with
ravenous brook trout and rainbow trout, or, for the more advanced, there's
technical tail water fisheries scattered along the South Platte River. No
matter what time of year it is, there are always opportunities to fish near
Denver.
Tel: 303 325 5515.
Website: www.coloradotrouthunters.com
Tel: 303 325 5515.
Website: www.coloradotrouthunters.com
White-water rafting
River Runners Colorado is
an experienced company that takes thousands and thousands of adventure lovers
down the Arkansas River every year. There are two convenient locations from
which you can begin your rafting journey and at least four different rafting
experiences to choose from. The Browns Canyon Rafting Trip is the most popular
white-water rafting trip in the state.
Tel: 1 800 723 8987.
Website: www.riverrunnersltd.com
Tel: 1 800 723 8987.
Website: www.riverrunnersltd.com
Beer brewing
Follow the entire brewing
process, from roasting barley to bottling, of one of the most popular beers in
Denver, with a tour of the Coors Brewery in Golden. The 90-minute tour includes
free beer samples. Denver's best brewpubs – all within walking distance of each
other in LoDo – also offer tours and tiny samples of their ales, porters,
stouts and lagers. Try Wynkoop Brewing Company, Rock Bottom Brewery or
Breckenridge Brewery.
Tel: 303 277 2337.
Website: www.millercoors.com/golden-brewery-tour.aspx
Tel: 303 277 2337.
Website: www.millercoors.com/golden-brewery-tour.aspx
Shopping
in Denver
Denver has a plethora of
shopping opportunities. There are fine indoor and outdoor malls, as well as
many areas to find impressive boutiques and markets. The majority of these
shopping areas are in close proximity to downtown Denver.
Key Areas
The beautiful Victorian
buildings of Larimer Square house a remarkable collection of shops, restaurants
and bars. The Denver Art District on Santa Fe has an eclectic gathering of galleries,
shops and restaurants all contained in just a few blocks.
Sports fanatics should head to LoDo where Coors Field is located as well as a number of sports bars and the well-known Wynkoop Brewing Company. LoDo is also a haven for book lovers. Tattered Cover Bookstore, the largest independent bookstore in America, is located at the end of 16th Street Mall. A bit outside of Downtown, Cherry Creek is the best place to shop for clothing and jewelry.
Sports fanatics should head to LoDo where Coors Field is located as well as a number of sports bars and the well-known Wynkoop Brewing Company. LoDo is also a haven for book lovers. Tattered Cover Bookstore, the largest independent bookstore in America, is located at the end of 16th Street Mall. A bit outside of Downtown, Cherry Creek is the best place to shop for clothing and jewelry.
Markets
During the summer months,
Denver is rich with farmers' markets which offer everything from locally grown
fresh produce to delicious baked goods and prepared meals. There's also
entertainment and family-friendly activities that'll keep you occupied all day
long. The Cherry Creek Fresh Market, 1st Avenue and University Boulevard, is a favorite
among locals and is open Saturdays and Wednesdays.
Shopping Centers
An iconic shopping center
in Denver, 16th Street Mall is a 1.6km-long (1 mile) pedestrian promenade lined
with pavement cafés. The free bus, MallRide, passes through the promenade
daily. The Tabor Center, situated at the north end of the mall, is a three-story
glass building providing first-class entertainment. Nearby, Denver Pavilions is
an open-air mall with 50 shops and restaurants. The Cherry Creek area, which
includes a shopping center and a premier retail neighborhood, is also nearby.
Shopping Times
Shopping hours in Denver
vary but stores are generally open 0900/1000-1700/1800, with shopping malls
remaining open until 2100 or 2200. Downtown stores may be closed on Sundays but
malls are open daily.
REFERENCE SITES:
Growing up in Denver, I'm sure
it started with loving the Colorado mountains.
Gale Norton
No comments:
Post a Comment