Denver Photo Archives

Walk out the door of Tattered Cover Books on Wynkoop St. and take a left, stroll about 50 feet and this is the view of twenty three years ago. You'll be mid-block at 1500 Wynkoop Street; behind you is 16th Street and ahead is 15th Street, the 15th Street Viaduct, and "Manny's Bridge", spanning Cherry Creek in the distant center.

This image is subtle. I find it very interesting with the lines of the buildings and the road drawing me into the scene, capped off by the "tattered" steel awning overhead.

Looking southwest on Wynkoop Street, you'll see the huge Post Office Terminal and large warehouses on the right, the Rocky Mountain Saddlery building at 15th Street on the left, and the 15th Street Viaduct slicing through them.

This block's traffic was dominated by the Post Office, as a terminal and post office that was open 24/7 except Sunday; that was very cool. Let's take a walk around. Just before the 15th Street Viaduct, the Rocky Mountain Saddlery was still cranking out fine saddles; the building and people were classic.

The towering viaduct - some traffic at certain times - was quiet. Under the viaduct was15th Street, to the left was the Wazee Super Club, and to the right was My Brothers Bar. The viaduct was comforting to me in some way, strong yet beautiful.

Walking down the street, I look at "Manny's Bridge" as a little marvel of engineering. Trains of enormity had crossed this bridge with the Rocky Mountains in the distance. When I walk over the bridge, I feel the past every time; it is one of my favorite areas.

The large warehouses on the west side of 1400 Wynkoop Street were in use by the Karmen Apparel Company. South of the warehouses was a large parking lot for post office employees only. Both of the large warehouses are wonderful buildings and compose part of a unique block.

Heading under the viaduct at the 15th Street Viaduct and Post Office, look out for mail trucks. No customers on this end of the terminal, but the tractors and trailers were in constant loading and unloading mode. This block of 1500 Wynkoop Street had no sidewalk on either side and was busy with Post Office trucks; I would stay close to the side.

Now, twenty three years later, this photo shows an area of success that is impressive. The Post Office for me had outgrown it's location and era (nothing personal). Now the area has been tremendously improved. I must admit, I miss the viaducts, but...

So now we have many new additions of excellent buildings to compliment the block and the community is more vibrant and visionary.

I would say - that leaves most of us happy and encouraged.
-Kim Allen

Early Chronicles of Lower Downtown

West of Union Pacific Headhouse, now the Chophouse restaurant
and the Firemen's Grain Elevator beyond. I always liked the bold
and confident large letters painted on the side of a loading dock.
The message is composed and neat, a little story incomplete.
Thought of this photo over the years and hope it to be true.
Ted S. + Colleen C. Forever! 1985

The study of documentary photographers fascinated me, from Magnum Photographers to many other photographers' selection of documentation. The photographers McClure, Stimson, Plowden and Jackson were great, recorders of history and my "mentors" as I photographed. I worked hard for composition and tried to make a building look important. It was so much fun photographing, meeting life time friends, roaming Lower Downtown and the Viaducts and Platte Valley. I shot as many photos as in a week or so and then processed and looked at the negatives - like Christmas, 40 a year.

Walking in Lower Downtown, always welcoming and comfortable I thought of others before and their lives, horses and streetcars and always trains. I snooped around and made calls and got into some buildings etc. and started documenting various structures for various reasons. Neglected, covered with grime and dust these photos show Denver in the last years of hibernation, and a recording of what some of the buildings and infrastructure looked like.

"Alley Hoop" jump shot. With the 16th St. Viaduct behind, the Sugar Building on the left, and the Henry Lee Building center. Some casual shooting baskets, a move inside to the poles for two points or out near the
Viaduct for three points. This alley is between Wazee Street and
Wynkoop Street looking S. W. across 16th St. 1991

1983 - 1994
I knew Denver would prosper, it was a pleasure to photograph Denver. I am fortunate to have witnessed these times from 1983 - 1994. The Platte Valley area has more growth than I would have envisioned in my lifetime. Denver has embraced the value of old architecture, and new as well; we have kicked and clawed with pride, hanging tough and looking ahead with good vibes and optimism.

The 1980's began a pivotal time for a higher density of residents. Many vacant old structures would be renovated, as new retail was added, and that was the start. We were on our way. Lower downtown would start to energize the entire city. Some new architecture would infill and compliment the historic backbone of Denver. My endeavor was to document some of our prominent historic structures and infrastructure - part of our lives and Denver's history.

I researched buildings, made calls and snooped around. Being inside, or on top of a roof, I thought warehouses were beautiful - wood, brick, dark and dusty. I have seen the sunshine illuminate the floors and walls, a city view, or a pigeon flapping out of the shadows.

Once, I startled a man sleeping on the other side of a huge fire door. He rolled over, and I saw his eyes and knife. Politely, I moved on, upward into the Flour Mill Building. It was kind of a scary place, all concrete and only one stairwell in or out, so what could I do? I continued on to upper floors and looked out on the Skyline Cafe.

Inside the old Monarch Mills on 15th and Delgany Street, it was very, very dark. I fumbled around, finding stairs and somehow making my way to look out a very small window onto the 1400 block of Delgany Street. I kept moving towards the light and popped out onto the roof. I was on the north side of Monarch Mills, over-looking the 15th Street Viaduct 50 feet away. I was literally standing in what is now the inside of the MCA building.

Implosion of the Firemen's Grain building (future Coors Field main entrance for the Rockies) was a big event. I knew the area well, and my goal was to get the best shot of the day. Everyone was kept 1000 feet away. Most photographers were to the east in a big group, all hoping for a shot with the city as a backdrop. My concern was the photographers from the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News and, thankfully, they were also in the grouping - great news. So I sneak up onto the roof of the building across the street from the implosion, probably 250 feet dead center. It was the perfect view. I had been here before and knew it would work.

So, I set up my tripod, camera, motor drive - all looked excellent - and prepared to wait. Early bird get's the worm, I thought. Then! The implosion was postponed an hour. The bad news is that I needed to use the restroom over at the El Chapultepec Lounge. The good news is I got there and back in good spirits and waited...

Suddenly the moment arrived! A long siren and...BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! What a sight and sound! I had done it! I climbed down into the alley at 20th Street, and disappeared into the gigantic cloud of concrete dust and headed left towards Market Street.

Denver was fortunate to have so many projects orchestrated by an array of progressive developers, both downtown and in lower downtown; development that would turn out to be great for the community and Denver.

Copyright of text and photo by Kim Allen, DenverPhotoArchives

My Thoughts On Denver

The intention of the Denver Photo Archives blog is to share my photos and experiences, and write about my thoughts on Denver.

These images and articles will hopefully create some thoughts and some healthy dialogue on the content.

I welcome correspondence and encourage your communication. I will respectfully reply to all comments.

Most images on this blog are for sale. Please refer to the Pricing Page.

Kim Allen

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