Coors Field | Wynkoop Brewing Company

Standing Outside Wynkoop Brewing Company: John Hickenlooper, Jerry Williams, Mark Schiffler, Russell Schehere and Holiday, The Brew Dog. 1988
Left : John Hickenlooper, Jerry Williams, Mark Schiffler,
Russell Schehrer and Holiday, the brew dog. 1988

I took photos inside, then we all walked outside to make some photos. We would get some very good images, with the dudes standing proudly under the Wynkoop Brewing Company sign and in front of a massive stone wall. John's dog is named Holiday, and it turns out to be a classic shot. John helped a lot by becoming Mayor.

Thanks John.

The Wynkoop was a natural; it has done well and been a great business and building to help establish the area, propelling Colorado into the brew pub leadership in America. The Wynkoop Brewing Company is a very special place to me.

Wynkoop Brewing Company 1988
Wynkoop Brewing Company at 18th Street looking southeast. 1988

I met up with everyone, hung out, walked around and began to look around for ideas. It was exciting; I knew the Wynkoop would do very well. It is a beautiful space with wonderful decorated beams, wood floors, arched windows and a tin ceiling.

Wynkoop Brewing Company 1988
The northwest corner of bar, 18th Street is on the left. 1988

The Bar and restaurant were in the early construction mode. I admired the brick and the panels of the beams and long, beautiful walking areas between the columns and gorgeous ceiling work. Looking at the top of the unfinished bar, I knew there would be "millions served" one day. It made me thirsty thinking about it that mild autumn morning; soon it would be past noon.

Wynkoop Brewing Company 1988
Beginning renovation and construction on the Wynkoop Street side 1988

This is the west side of building on Wynkoop Street, with renovation into brewery and restaurant on the bottom two floors, and future loft residences above. The workers on the scaffold are repairing windows, cool picture.

Main room, Wynkoop Street straight ahead, 18th Street on the right. 1988

In the middle of the Wynkoop Brewing Company Looking west towards Wynkoop Street, main entrance is far right. The brewing observation room is on the far left side, the bar and patio area - enclosed are straight ahead.

Main dining room, looking out to patio and alley. Stereo brew toilets... 1988

Very mellow scene, not a lot of workers, music playing. Walking to the back of the main dining area leading to the patio and alley between Wazee Street and Wynkoop Street. I saw the two toilets, speakers in each top, dwarfed by a beautiful brick wall. A great casual shot that is very funny.

For additional images and commentary, please refer to the Lower Downtown section.

A book, The Brew Dogs of Colorado, has recently been published and prominently features my image of some of the founders of the Wynkoop Brewing Company prior to the opening of the brewery. The image includes Holiday, John Hickenlooper's dog smiling at the camera with his tongue hanging out. The Foreword page by Mayor Hickenlooper graces the book, my photo is on the opposite page.

I endorse this book, The BrewDogs of Colorado, for a celebration of our respected presence of the craft brew industry and the relationship of its employees and their dogs.

The book features 37 brewery employees and their photos, and 70 photos of their beloved "brewdogs". A fun and easy, light read is contained in this book of more than 140 pages. Wonderful happy and humorous photos and text capture the joy of the companionship of dogs and their owners as they provide us with that golden nectar.

Over half of the featured "brewdogs" are rescue dogs and the authors encourage the support of animal shelters and animal rescue organizations in our communities.

Please contact TheBrewDogsofColorado.com for more information.

Coors Field UFO

We were having a small get together at our place at Park Avenue Tower located at 20th Street and Washington Street. We were fortunate that our 17th floor apartment and balcony had a view looking N.W. onto Coors Field and the Rocky Mountains.

July 27, 1995
Weather: slight breeze, even less chance of rain, temperature in the low 80's. A beautiful night...

The Colorado Rockies would be hosting the 69th Annual Major League All Star Game. From our balcony, we had an outstanding view of the shiny glitz and glam.

I set up my tripod and camera; things are looking great; a cold Gin and Tonic in my hand.

I tell my wife I think I just photographed a U.F.O. She replies to me, "Please, put your drink down."

O.K.

The object in the sky is actually a blimp.

We watched Coors Field beginning construction, until completion. Viewing the All Star Game was a great tribute to Denver and the Colorado Rockies. Coors Field played an important ingredient in the revitalization of lower downtown Denver.

Coors Field 1993
Looking northwest from Larimer Street on 21st Street towards
Coors Field construction. 1993

Descriptions of this area, prior to Coors Field, would include an absence of people, scattered locations of small, mostly empty, warehouses or retail, and a lot of open land.

The buildings on Blake Street from 20th Street were demolished, with the exception of the "Student Movers Building" near 22nd Street. The Firemen's Grain Elevator was located at Blake Street and the 20th Street Viaduct was imploded. The area to the West sloped down to a huge flat open area that the trains once used extensively. The 20th Street and 23rd Street Viaducts were on the south and north ends of the area.

Coors Field 1986
Southeast corner of 20th Street and Blake Street 1986

There were 2 blocks of small warehouses built on this "ridge" that were demolished. Some of the buildings included in the demolition were Windsor Dairy, Blake Street Studios, Harris Oil and Grease, Denver Glass, Purrox Building, and of course, the small gas station that was in front of the Firemen's Grain Elevator.

Parade of Lights' floats were stored in the Windsor Building, all the people that did the floats would celebrate their contribution and completion of the event at the Skyline Cafe for an annual eclectic party.

Coors Field 1985
Northwest from 20th Street and Blake Street, now playing field. 1985

The west side of the area was behind the Firemen's Grain Elevator. Train tracks once brought commerce; now truck trailers were the mode of transportation. Some abandoned rail lines, paving bricks and truck trailers on them - are now the exact area of the playing field.

Coors Field was built in an excellent area, close to downtown with minimal demolition of significant buildings. Designed in the style of previous generations, the scale and building complement the neighborhood.

It is hard to believe - actually impossible to believe - that years later this location would be the site for the National League Champion Colorado Rockies to host part of the World Series of Baseball.

Coors Field 1986
Looking northeast down Blake Street from 20th Street area. 1986

For additional images and commentary, please refer to the Coors Field section.

- Kim Allen

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.

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Kim Allen

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