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May 2011
COLORADO SADDLERY BUILDING
From the 15th
Street Viaduct looking Northeast at the
Colorado Saddlery Company 1983
Back in the 1980's the activity of the Colorado Saddlery
Company was overshadowed by the huge Post Office
Terminal building and it's functions.
Located at 1631 15th Street, Colorado Saddlery occupied
the Northeast corner of the intersection of Wynkoop Street and
15th Street.
The tremendous 15th Street Viaduct was directly above
15th Street and sliced through the various warehouses of
the area. Most auto traffic was on the viaduct, heading
East and West, in and out of downtown.
From the 15th Street Viaduct looking East
1986
The stately and classic Colorado Saddlery Building was
impressively making fine western saddles all the while,
as many people simply passed by this wonderful building
and business.
Built in 1909, the O'Fallon Company then occupied the
building, and were
selling various plumbing supplies for a burgeoning city
of Denver
until the mid 1940's.
Under the 15th
Street Viaduct, the Colorado Saddlery on the left
1986
Under the 15th Street
Viaduct, the Coloradp Saddlery on the left
1986
Let's now pull ourselves up into the saddle, riding into
a different landscape — the Colorado Saddlery Building.
I walked into the business and was introduced to "Van
the Man," the owner of the Colorado Saddlery Building and
Company. His full name was Pershing Van Scoyk; he
greeted me with a warm western smile even though...clearly, I was not a cowboy.
The smell of leather permeated the warehouse and it's
huge wood timbers; the romance of our western heritage
rode tall and strong in this proud building.
With a hand shake between us, he asked one of his men to
briefly show me around and up onto the roof as well.
Looking Southwest at the Edbrooke Building from the
roof 1983
Looking South from 1500 Wynkoop
Street/15th Street area 1988
Historic Denver, in partnership with the National Trust
for Historic Preservation, will host "One Past 5"
Happy
Hour, titled, "Vintage Western",
at the Colorado Saddlery Building on August 18, 2011.
Please contact
Historic Denver
for more information.
For additional images and
commentary, please
refer to the Lower Downtown section.
WINES OFF WYNKOOP
Now the exact location of Wines Off Wynkoop -
1610 16th Street 1989
This image was taken in
the alley at the opposite end of the block from the Colorado Saddlery Building. Dixon's
is out of view on the left, Tattered Cover Books is
directly behind my vantage point.
A very amusing image, Lower Downtown was on the rebound.
We all were about to become winners of this
game of revitalization.
Under the 16th Street Viaduct at Wynkoop Street,
looking South 1985
Wines Off Wynkoop is located in the alley just
around the corner from the actual street of Wynkoop,
hence the name "Wines Off Wynkoop".
On the far left of the scene above, is the corner of
Wynkoop Street. Framing the scene are the darkened
shadows of the 16th Street Viaduct. We are looking south
at the row of warehouses, the 15th Street Viaduct, and the Speer Viaduct in the far distance.
Looking South,
Wines Off Wynkoop ( yet to be created) on left
1986
Looking North down
alley and the16th Street Viaduct
1986
From 15th Street Viaduct, looking North onto the alley
of Wynkoop 1987
This scene captures the
other end of the alley, completing an urban image
of fire escapes and telephone poles — a New York City
feel to this image.
Wines Off Wynkoop has provided an urban edge to a retail
entrance, a friendly
and professional business set in a different location
than the norm - Bravo!
Inside the store, you will find offerings of delightful alcoholic
beverages, free downtown
delivery, gift baskets, corporate accounts and much
more. Owner Jed Rulon
Miller
and staff will take care of you on a friendly and personal
basis.
If you are familiar with the episode, "Night of the
Meek", of the Twilight Zone,
you may keep an eye out for Santa, played by the actor
Art Carney around the holiday season; he just may appear
in this alley?
Our architectural soul would lay the foundation for the beginning of
the rebirth of our fine city.
I have mentioned this before, but I will offer this
thought again. It takes many ingredients to create a
healthy vibrant and progressive city. Denver has a huge
positive spirit that is not to be taken lightly. The
combination of many factors of our community will propel
Denver into an even more amazing city in the future. We
value our past, believe in the future, we are
compassionate and educated, we are generous and
accepting as a community, we are working together to
make special things happen!
Please give yourselves a toast with your favorite
beverage.
For additional images and
commentary, please
refer to the Lower Downtown section.
- Kim Allen |
