Guide to Denver Neighborhoods (Sheridan: place to live, marketplace, statistics)

[livecontent]

I want to give readers more information on Denver neighborhoods. The Best Map, which, I always posted, is at http://www.denvergov.org/denvermaps/...ghborhoods.pdf. This is the official map that The City of Denver uses for statistics.

The story of Denver neighborhoods are found at many places on the web, from the Denver site to Wikepedia. They are similar, many times word for word; so I was trying to find the root source Quelle, so to speak, of all these stories. I think this site is the source for these neighborhood descriptions and history. The Piton Foundation

This site is done by a foundation and has an interactive map of all the neighborhoods and their common names. If you click on each neighborhood name, on the bottom of the map, it will give extensive statistics. In addition, if you, again click on the start of the description, you will get more information and a history of the neighborhoods in Denver.

I found something on this website that I think answered my long standing and perplexing question of why is Northwest Denver called by natives---"North Denver". Some people say,it was called after North High, or, did the appellation exist first?? This is the area that natives consider around west 38th and I think this is the answer. It is found in the Berkeley neighborhood history:

"...Berkeley was advertised as a healthful suburb, free from the smoke and dust of the city, with plentiful water and convenient public transportation. In 1892, the mostly middle and working class residents of the community incorporated the town of North Denver, encompassing the acreage of Walker's farm. Its boundaries were roughly 52nd Avenue to the north, Sheridan Boulevard to the west, 44th Avenue to south, and Federal Boulevard to the east. In 1898, the town's name was changed to Berkeley. Commercial development was limited to small neighborhood stores and a small commercial district along Tennyson Street where the post office was established. Berkeley grew slowly and by the time it was annexed on 1 December 1902..."

So, there you have it. There was actually an incorporated town of North Denver, in this area, that was, changed to Berkeley. This was latter annexed into Denver.

I find that very interesting. I think Denver has such interesting little tidbits, here and there, in neighborhoods. I find the best way to explore Denver is to get off the highways and go down the side streets.

It is interesting with the resurgence of Cities as a place to live, neighborhood identities are coming in fashion. Neighborhood groups are formed; internet sites are developed and people want to take control of the development of their own neighborhood.

People want to say, they live in Park Hill, Highland, Washington Park. Platte Park, Montclair etc. and even subsets of neighborhoods that are not on the map, for example Mayfair which is part of Montclair. They even have their own formal group. Mayfair Neighbors Inc. - Denver There is also Curtis Park which are parts of Five Points. Neighborhood maps are never definitive, as they change with the new names, new identities and new venues; for example the "Ballpark" neighborhood.

I hope this helps some newcomer to see that Denver is not an homogeneous mass, but a city composed of beautiful parts that make a great City.

Livecontent

[Mike from back east]

Awesome map. I've already added this thread to the index for ease of finding it.

[chilicheesefries]

Phil Goodstein has a number of books about the history of Denver that make very good reading.

Examples:
Haunts of Washington Park
Ghosts Of Denver
The Spirits of South Denver
South Denver Saga
Seamy Side Of Denver

They're old and most are out of main print but he comes out with one a year or two the latest being "Haunts of Washington Park". You can probably find them at local bookstores or through Amazon Marketplace or the like. Also, most of the area library systems would have them. They make great reading if you're at all interested in Denver.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by chilicheesefries

Phil Goodstein has a number of books about the history of Denver that make very good reading.

Examples:
Haunts of Washington Park
Ghosts Of Denver
The Spirits of South Denver
South Denver Saga
Seamy Side Of Denver

They're old and most are out of main print but he comes out with one a year or two the latest being "Haunts of Washington Park". You can probably find them at local bookstores or through Amazon Marketplace or the like. Also, most of the area library systems would have them. They make great reading if you're at all interested in Denver.

Thank You for this information. I will be looking up these books at the Public Library.

Livecontent

[Legs1357]

This is somewhat related but I love the book "Denver Then & Now" which shows Denver landmark areas and buildings, talks about the area, and has an old picture and a new picture of the exact same spot. Gives a feeling of how particular areas, as well as Denver as a whole has changed.