Fifteen photos of Denver 150 years ago

Key Points:

• Colorado celebrated its 150th anniversary of statehood on August 1, 2026, having become a state in 1876, with Denver already established as a key city since its founding in 1858 during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush.
• Early Denver landmarks such as the old City Hall (built in 1883 and demolished in 1936) have mostly disappeared, though relics like the City Hall bell remain on display at 14th and Larimer streets.
• Historic streets like Larimer, 17th, and 16th have transformed significantly, evolving from horse-drawn carriages and streetcars to modern entertainment districts and commercial hubs with light rail and buses replacing old transit systems.
• Several notable 19th-century buildings, including the Tabor Block and Arapahoe County Courthouse, were demolished in the 20th century and replaced by contemporary structures like the Cheesecake Factory and Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.
• The city’s evolution is visible in locations such as Lawrence Street and 15th Street, which have shifted from dirt roads and horse-drawn carriages to bustling areas filled with office buildings, cars, and electric scooters.