The Crest House atop Mt. Evans. Originally an Art Moderne design from 1941 by Edwin Francis, before it burned in 1979.
Situated at 14,420 feet above sea level, this was once the highest structure in the world!
March 8th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
The metal screen sculpture, from the front of Denver’s U.S. Courthouse.
This was designed 1965, by Edgar Britton (I believe).
March 5th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Tile detail from the mid-century modern bank on Colfax that later became Video One. The building is getting a redo, this tile is now gone.
March 4th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Leftover ’50s signage from a McDonalds on Colfax
March 2nd, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
* This feature with old newspapers ads was originally from the site ModMidMod, but I plan on posting these type of ads to The Denver Eye from now on, so I wanted to start over with this repost. *
This first ad is The Matchless restaurant and lounge, under the hyperbolic arch in the pavilion which was originally part of I.M. Pei’s Mile High Center. You have to love that it included a trout pool and a fountain!
The arch and restaurant are gone now, swallowed up by Norwest Plaza.
Pei’s Mile High Tower still peaks out of the plaza.
The Senate Lounge, across the street from the Capitol building, in the Argonaut Hotel. Is the cartoon a depiction of a typical 1959 state senator? The Argonaut still stands!
Senate Lounge act, Effie the Blond Tigress, backed by Denver Cool Jazz greats Bud Poindexter, Vince Limberg and Paul Warburton. I don’t know who the cat on vibes is in the upper pic!
It’s zero hour for the 1959 opening of Elitch’s Gardens. This is, of course, the original location of the amusement park. Elitch’s Theatre still stands at this old location.
Top of the Park room in the Park Lane Hotel, at the north end of Washington Park, “Denver’s Smartest Rendezvous”.
There are four apartment buildings in that spot now, and I don’t think they look like this, so I assume this building is gone.
Top of The Park engagement for cocktail-comedian/pianist Nino Nanni
The King Cole Showbar, a strip club located where Club Vinyl is today. There used to be some ghost-signage on the side of the building with the words King Cole and an arrow pointing down, but much of the original building collapsed under heavy snow, maybe 8 years ago. Bob and Sylvia released a fun Hee Haw styled comedy lp a few years later.
The Melody Lounge, “Denver’s Birdland”. These are all top-talent jazz
stars for 1959.
I am not sure, but I think this is where the Alpine Hotel is now.
Johnny Griffin at the Melody Lounge! “The Little Giant” was well-known in jazz circles for the breakneck speed at which he played!
Vaudeville revival at the Beacon Supper Club. Even the cashier sang!
“Denver has gone Lakeside“. This ad list the Sunday night stock car races and the indoor swimming pool.
Warren St. Thomas’ famous strip club, The Tropics! You got dinner, a comedian, a stripper and an indoor tropical storm! This is now the nightclub, Stone. Last time I checked, the hydraulics to raise and lower dancers from the floor and ceiling were still there!
Tura Satana is a well-known cult film star for her role in the 1966 Russ Meyer film Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
By the way, if you have additional information on The Tropics, or photos or other memorabilia, I would love to see it! Please email me! (http://www.modmidmod.com/about/)
March 1st, 2010 / 1 Comment » / by Tom Lundin
1960’s-era mountain cabin designed by Colorado architect Eugene Sternberg in Evergreen.
Sternberg is well known for designing many of the first homes for Arapahoe Acres (including the innovative street plan) as well as many International-style buildings throughout Littleton.
Here is the beautiful view from the deck of this cabin.
February 26th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
The asymetrical Art Deco entranceway to the The Harwood, on the east side of Capitol Hill, which probably dates from the late-1930s.
February 24th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
The Dammann House, designed 1966 by Boulder architect Charles Haertling,
located on Flagstaff Mountain.
February 23rd, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
My copy of this 1964 AOK – Astronauts Orbit Kampus LP has a bit of cover wear, but despite considerable time spent, I cannot quite line up where on Flagstaff Mt. this picture was taken.
It would seem that the street on the right is Aurora Ave, but I cannot be sure, maybe it is College Ave. You can see that the foothills up right against the mountains have yet to be filled in with Charles Haertling’s masterpeice designs, though you can spot some new mod houses in the lower right.
The mighty Astronauts ruled over the front range in the years 1963-65.
February 19th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
The Wagner House, designed 1954 by Ed Hawkins for Arapahoe Acres.
The house looks a little different these days as they have built an addition in the back.
February 18th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
The Irish House, designed 1953 by Ed Hawkins and Joseph Dion.
February 17th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
A nice interior detail, a simple built-in shelf from an early Ed Hawkins house in Park Hill.
February 15th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Usonian addition to Our Savior Parish Center on Capitol Hill.
Designed by Charles Haertling in 1961.
February 12th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
The Merry House of Englewood’s Arapahoe Acres from 1957.
I assume designed by Ed Hawkins and Joseph Dion.
February 11th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Beautiful modernist home from the Hilltop/Shangri La area, built sometime during early to mid-1960s, I would say.
February 10th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
