Posted in Denver January 17, 2018 by

8 Secrets You Didn’t Know About The History Of Denver

Just when you thought you knew all there was to know about the Mile High City, I’ve come up with some interesting and somewhat wacky facts about our beloved city that you may not already know. From impressive and creepy facts about iconic structures to puzzling laws that have been set, you’ll want to check over this list of 8 secrets below to see which ones are new to you.

1. This is a hard-fought over title, but Louis Ballast, who operated the Humpty Dumpty Barrel Drive-In in Denver, is believed to be the first person to trademark the beloved cheeseburger in 1935.
Flickr/Slice of Chick
Although the restaurant is no longer there today, there is a granite marker acknowledging this achievement in front of the Key Bank that presently sits at the former Humpty Dumpty Barrel location.
2. The beautiful golden dome of the Colorado State Capitol was originally copper, but soon after completion, legislature agreed that the copper should be covered in gold leaf. This was both for aesthetics and as a nod to the significance that gold plays in Colorado history.
Trip Advisor/Roger W.
Maybe even more interesting is the fact that the inside of the capitol is home to the world's entire known supply of Colorado Rose Onyx.
3. The Brown Palace Hotel, which opened in 1892, was allegedly home to a crematorium in the basement.
Trip Advisor/Oliver S.
Although there's no proof that it was ever used, this interesting little piece of history has been helpful in proving that this hotel is haunted.
4. Apparently, it is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor in the city of Denver.
Flickr/Nicola Albertini
If this is truly a city law, I'd be interested to know why it was ever put in place.
5. Even though the Beatles were destined to stardom, when they played at Red Rocks in 1964, they were just an up and coming band and their show didn't even sell out.
Facebook/Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
6. Getting the exact elevation of the MIle High City isn't as easy as it looks. Check out the steps at the Colorado State Capitol for proof.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
If you ever tour the Capitol building, you may be wondering why there are three markers for that exact mile-high location on the steps. Well, as new technology has come about, measuring an increasingly more accurrate measurement has been possible. As a result there are three different markings: the original one on the 15th step, then an additional spot on the 18th step. The most recent measurement has deemed the 13th step to be the official 5,280 ft. elevation.
7. This is another contested title, but at 26 miles long, Colfax Avenue is believed to be the longest continuous commercial street in America.
Flickr/Ken Lund
8. Although you can't see this when strolling down 16th Street Pedestrian Mall, if you had a birds eye view from above, you would take in a pretty impressive view.
Flickr/Laura Gilmore
Did you know that the 400,000 pieces of granite paving along the walkway actually resemble the skin of a western diamondback rattlesnake?

Which of these little historical facts about Denver were news to you? Please share in the comments below.

If you love learning new things about the history of Denver, you may be interested in this article:Not Many People Know The Haunted History Behind This Old Denver Hospital.

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