Five Points and Denver African American History

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Part of the Denver Public Library System, the Blair-Caldwell African American Research library offers a number of exhibits that preserve and share the history of Denver's Black communities, as well as a dedicated Black history research library on the second floor. The first floor offers traditional local library resources and services, as well as the African American Leadership Gallery and numerous exhibits related to local history.

2. Roxy Theatre

For decades, the Roxy served the Five Points neighborhood and other African Americans throughout Denver as the only Black-owned movie house in the city. The theater was built during the Great Depression and provided a place where African Americans could enjoy Hollywood films as well as "race films"- movies created by Black-owned production companies that featured Black actors and actresses in feature roles. The opening of the Roxy also provided a space for African American audiences to enjoy performances by leading Black artists and musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday. The theater continues to support the Five Points neighborhood and Denver's African American communities with events throughout the year, as well as national and regional artists who bring everything from rock and punk to hip-hop and R&B to the city.

3. Radio Pharmacy and Sonny Lawson

Denver native Sonny Lawson operated his business, the Radio Pharmacy, on this corner for nearly fifty years. Owing to his influence in the Five Points neighborhood, Lawson became a powerful member of Denver’s Democratic Party. The pharmacy became a meeting place for community leaders and politicians, as well as an anchor of the Five Points business district on Welton.

4. Denver Fire Station #3

Completed in 1931, this is the oldest current fire station in the city of Denver. The station was designed by architect C. Francis Pillsbury and still features wooden lockers and bi-fold doors. During the early 1890s, Silas Johnson and other Black leaders brought attention to the inadequate state of fire protection in the growing African American community in this area. They also pointed to the discrimination that the city's few Black firefighters had faced. In response, the city hired more Black firefighters and created the all-Black Fire Company #3 in 1894. African Americans were assigned to Station #3 exclusively until 1957, when the first African American firefighters were assigned to previously all-white stations beyond the Five Points neighborhood. In addition, Lieutenant Carl Rose became the first white firefighter at station #3 in 60 years.

5. Stiles African American Heritage Center

Located in a historic Victorian frame house, this local history museum offers programs and exhibits that showcase the history and contributions of African Americans throughout and beyond Denver's Five Points neighborhood. The Center is the result of the efforts of its namesake, Grace Stiles, a retired public school teacher who created a successful local history program called African American History on Wheels in 1992.

6. The Rossonian Hotel

Opened in 1912 as the Baxter Hotel. This historic Five Points building became the center of Denver's jazz scene. During the 1930s, the Rossonian lounge featured performances by leading jazz musicians like Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. The building is admired for its unique French architecture. The hotel closed many years ago, but plans are in place to renovate. The historic structure will be restored into a restaurant and music venue. This project is in partnership with retired NBA star, Chauncey Billups.

7. Deep Rock Water Bottling Company, est 1896

Former drug store owner Stephen Kostitch established the Deep Rock Water Company shortly after digging a well at this location in 1896. The company has grown over the past century, but continues to sell water from this well owing to its unique flavor that Kostitch and others attribute to the Arapahaoe Sandstone located deep underneath the surface.

8. Zion Baptist Church

Home to the oldest African American congregation in Colorado, this historic church was constructed in 1893. Zion Baptist dates back to the end of the Civil War, when free people of color and former slaves-many of whom were veterans, formally organized a congregation that had met informally for many years. The congregation purchased this building from Cavalry Baptist Church in 1911. The congregation was led for fifty years (1941-1991) by Reverend Wendell T. Liggins. During his tenure and beyond, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised through grants and donations to maintain the historic structure.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Five Points and Denver African American History

Created by Clio Admin on December 4th 2016, 10:08:24 am.

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Named for the junction of five major Denver streets in 1881, Five Points became one of the city's fastest-growing neighborhoods by the 1890s. By the 1920s, the majority of residents were African American. This tour includes a few of the community's historic buildings and businesses, African American museums and cultural centers, and locations and events related to the long struggle for civil rights and racial equality.

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Five Points and Denver African American History

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