Denver's Five Points District : A Regional Jewel

Over the past year, I have spent several very interesting days in Denver's Five Points neighborhood learning about the district’s African American history and culture. The galleries and exhibits in the Blair Caldwell African American Research Library (see photo to the left) were informative and engaging. The staff at the Black American West Museum, especially Executive Director La Wanna Larson, are both highly knowledgeable and welcoming. I also enjoy the blend of excellent Southern and Caribbean food and casual hospitality at the Welton Street Cafe.

Denver’s Five Points neighborhood has a wealth of African American social, cultural, and historical resources which are unparalleled in the Rocky Mountain Region and represent one of the most important historically African American centers in between Chicago and the West Coast. (Photograph below is the former home of Dr. Justina Ford, the first African American Female Doctor in Colorado and current home of the Black American West Museum).

A few of the many additional community-based resources include, the Stiles African American Heritage Center, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, the African American Leadership Institute, the Brother Jeff Cultural Center, the James P. Beckworth Mountain Club, and many others.

The history and contributions of the African American Community in Five Points to Denver are emblematic of one of the key themes of this blog: that the City of Denver and its wider Region serve as the Metropole of the Mountain West with a unique and diverse history. A key to promoting economic development in Denver is to build on and promote the unique character and history of the regions' neighborhoods and cities. (Photograph to the left is the Rossonian Building in Five Points with a view of the light rail tracks and Downtown Denver in the background).

With its dedicated residents and businesses, quick light rail connection to downtown, pedestrian oriented commercial strip on Welton Street, sense of history and community and mix of historic buildings and infill redevelopment, the neighborhood is poised for change and growth.

Back in 2002 the City of Denver wisely recognized the historical significance of the neighborhood by creating the Welton Street Cultural/Historical District. The neighborhood's history is physically represented by historical markers, the Deep Rock Building's Neighborhood History Photographs, the Blair Caldwell Library, public art and historical information located at the light rail stops, Dr. Justina Ford's relocated Victorian house, now serving as the Black American West Museum and in many other ways.

However, Five Point's sense of history and place could be strengthened by the use of additional public art work and signage to increase the sense of arrival into the district at key locations in the neighborhood including near the Blair Caldwell Library at the entrance to the neighborhood from Downtown Denver. Additionally, signage and public maps showing key sites and places of interest would improve wayfinding and visitor accessibility to neighborhood. (Photograph to the right is Deep Rock Water Building on Welton Street Displaying Large Format Five Points Neighborhood Historical Photos).

This is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Denver and I encourage everyone who has the opportunity, to spend some time there.