On Colfax Avenue: A Victorian Childhood

by Elizabeth Young

"Everyone was moving to Denver, which was mushrooming all over the prairie and giving every evidence of becoming a metropolis of real proportion" - so recalls Elizabeth Young of her childhood on Colfax Avenue. Her youth ran parallel to that of her hometown: she grew up in the 1890s in the midst of Denver's rapid metamorphosis from frontier town to modern city. Young's memoir provides vivid glimpses of the people and events of this heady era, along with the adventuresome spirit that animated them. On Colfax Avenue captures the sense of joyful self-discovery that comes with childhood - both the author's and Denver's.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2004

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Never have I seen this sight without a catch in my throat, without a burst of joy in my heart, knowing that I am a child of that place, nurtured by the spirit and splendor of those majestic mountains."
page 121, Majesty of the Mountains Chapter

"It was not that we gave or received a multiplicity of gifts in the extravagant fashion that later developed, nor did the holiday possess a particularly commercialized atmosphere. The stores rarely pictured Christmas goods until two or three weeks before, so that excitement remained at a high pitch. Christmas didn't come as an anti-climax; the decorations did not go up before Thanksgiving, as would be the custom in later years, and so the symbols did not lose their meaning and freshness long before Christmas arrived."
page 86, Christmas Chapter

I borrowed this book as well as "Becoming Colorado" by, William Wei from the library at the same time. They make great companions. I recommend reading them in conjunction.

[Mark Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's as though you sat down with your grandma and said, "Grandma, tell me about the olden days." This is a recounting of what it was like to grow up in Denver in the late 1800s. Admittedly, it wasn't like this for everyone. Elizabeth, (the author), grew up in an upper-class home/family and so she had it better than most. Acquaintances included big names in Colorado like Tabor, Moffat, Buffalo Bill and others yet she does her best to describe the experience. Some recollections are a little off and maybe naive but the editors are there to correct and explain many of the circumstances. This was an interesting and educational read and I would highly recommend it for Denverites.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a light and quick read. I began it after a very heavy read and wanted to clear my book hangover. This books is about Denver as it is booming. People are coming from all over to work the silver mines to make their fortunes in the late 1800s.
If you like Denver history, in diary form, with sidebar facts this book is for you. It was fun to read the view of a child (and her famous family) with historical fact-check all through the book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet but slight memoir of a girl growing up in 1890’s Denver. Many little sidebars of provided some details about neighbors, activities and mores but not much more meat. Most memorable trivia was the 1000’ high bonfire on Pikes Peak for Independence Day 1901.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read about the author's childhood in the early days of Denver. I loved the random stories and tidbits from the footnotes too. It painted a fun picture of Denver - with a few references that still hold today.

Quotes:
About being buried in Fairmount Cemetery, pg 60, "Still, this was a pleasant place to lie, with the sun pouring down out of the blue sky and meadowlarks and the mountains standing guard forever."

Pg 91, "The snow had stopped falling, and the sky was brilliant with stars as only a Colorado sky can be."

On train journeys back home to Colorado from the East, pg 121, "Eventually distant nubbins would appear on the horizon to the west, and before long the entire expanse of the Colorado Rockies would sweep up from the plains in a magnificent crescendo of white-clad peaks. Never have I seen this sight without a catch in my throat, without a burst of joy in my heart, knowing that I am a child of that place, nurtured by the spirit and splendor of those majestic mountains." :)

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book that was published by the Colorado Historical Society. Throughout it provides information not only about Victorian society but also Denver Society during that era.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author reminisces about her childhood growing up on Colfax Avenue in 1890's Denver. It's a fascinating read about this bygone era, and the people and events that influenced the history of Denver. Photos of turn of the century Denver add to the interest.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick read and very a educational history about Denver in the 1890's.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written memoir from a child's point of view.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Is that because I'm familiar with many of the names and places that are mentioned? The author lived this story, so the descriptions and experiences all 'feel' authentic.