Comments on: Downtown Denver, Colorado, 1956

By: Carl

Carl — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:31:36 +0000

That modernist skyscraper in the middle was one of the first buildings designed by the now world-famous architect, I.M. Pei. It always stood out to me among the newer buildings downtown despite a silly 80’s “atrium” addition it now has. And you’re right…the Cruise Room is the best bar in America!

By: Van

Van — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:12:24 +0000

To help people with location, Lincoln Street runs from the lower left corner of the photo to the upper right.
The five story building in the center of the photo is the Downtown YMCA on 16th Ave. I cannot tell but the triangle sign may not be a Conoco sign but the older YMCA logo. The 20 story mid century tower in the center of the photo is now part of the bank building complex. Directly to the right of it across Lincoln is where the “Cash Register” building of Wells Fargo bank stands today. All the low buildings in the foreground including the Goodyear store have been replaced by a highrise with the turnaround for the 16th street mall shuttles.

The Red building directly under the Triangle logo should be the Brown Place Hotel.

The Farmer’s Union building still exists but no longer has the spire.

This photo was taken from the dome of the Colorado Capitol Building. You can see its roof in the forground. You cannot take a similar photo today from this location. There is a 10 story state office building between the Capitol and the Farmer’s Union to obscure the view. Most of the low buildings are gone. The YMCA is still in operation.

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 02:30:30 +0000

I really enjoyed your slide of Downtown Denver! Ah…Casa Bonita. Haven’t been there in years, but I remember the best item on the menu is the endless sopapillas and it’s still a fun place to go. The Cruise Room has been one of my favorite bars for many years so that is great you got to see it! Hope to see you again at Denver Modernism show next year.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 06:18:44 +0000

Phoenix,
Quite hilarious, but I just got back from Phoenix only to see in my email box a pic of my home town, Denver!!! We used to take field trips to CAsa Bonita in school, thats how much of a land mark that place is…. in fact, we would first visit the natural history museum, with a quick jaunt to the “central park”, if you can call it that, and then a late lunch for all the hungry little buggers in school at CASA BONITA!!! Can you even imagine an administration thinking that it was a good idea to take it there!? And I have to say, if you could have only seen it back then! Quite tame now, by many standards to say the least! Thanks for the memories Charles, post a slide of Phoenix now, another quite amazing city i think not many people know has qiuite the history behind it and very cool landmarks to boot.

By: Bruce Dearborn Walker

Bruce Dearborn Walker — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 22:56:38 +0000

I grew up in Denver (actually Lakewood, where Casa Bonita is about ten blocks from my childhood home. I was old enough when it opened to understand how kitschy it is, but my little brother enjoyed the heck out of it, and frankly so did I and my parents. Its the kind of place you take your Aunt Auvergne from Kansas, or your cousin Mike from L.A. if you want to mess with him. Actually, everybody should see it. Once.

And yes, the food is awfully plastic. Unfortunately, you pretty much have to eat there. There is some incredible Mexi-Colorado food in town, and all kinds of authentic Mexican regional food with cooks from the appropriate Mexican provinces. Just not at Casa Bonita.

By: Trish

Trish — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 07:35:36 +0000

Wo, that Mexican restaurant sounds totally cool. I am reminded of El Coyote, the restaurant that looks so small on the outside, but inside the rooms just seem to go on and on forever. I would love to visit Casa Bonita.

By: cheap flights denver

cheap flights denver — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 01:09:11 +0000

Hello there Mr. Charles. I found your blog while searching for information about Denver for my blog and i saw your beautiful picture here. Nice post also.I wish I could visit more often to see your slides.

By: Ron

Ron — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 22:46:04 +0000

Hey Charles,
There was a Casa Bonita in Tulsa where I grew up (same company) It was sold to a new owner and is now Casa Viva or something. Same theme. Last spring we went to Denver and took the niece and nephew. Saw the hot cliff divers while dining. I noticed my food didn’t taste right and spent that evening in the hospital with food poisoning.
I’m glad you fared better.
xoxo ron

By: DodiM

DodiM — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:39:27 +0000

Imagine my surprise when this photo arrived in my email today. My dad used to work in the Farmers Union building, and I remember mom driving us downtown for dentist appointments and to drop by to visit dad at work. I’ve actually been on that rooftop parking lot. (Building no longer there, I believe) What a trip down memory lane – thank you for this!

Everything you said about Denver was true, except maybe for the quality of the food at Casa Bonita! (Note: not that it’s revolting, just not the best mexican food in the world!)

By: Kevin Cartwright

Kevin Cartwright — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:19:54 +0000

Charles,

All of us love your weekly postcards. They always put a smile on our face. It was great meeting you at Tony Baxter’s. I hope our paths will cross again soon. Unfortunately we will be in Chicago for both of the dates in October for your Downtown LA/Disneyland tour.

But since you have such amazing knowledge. Do you have a couple of favorite places to visit in Chicago or Route 66 from Chicago to Springfield?

Regards,

Kevin Cartwright (949) 922-8056