Lost Denver

Images of America: Colorado

by Mark A. Barnhouse

Newcomers to the "Mile-High City" of Denver, whether arriving during the 19th, 20th, or 21st centuries, have often remarked on how new the city seems, and how proud its citizens are of it. Heady boom times at various intervals have inspired successive waves of city builders eager to make their mark by building grand, new edifices. Often, these new wonders replaced older structures that earlier Denverites had once seen as great accomplishments. As Denver has grown to become the hub of a major American metropolis, remnants of its earlier heritage have vanished into history, leaving newcomers to ponder, "What makes Denver Denver?" and longtime residents to ask, "Where has my Denver gone?" Lost Denver celebrates what the city once built and has since lost, along with what has made it unique, exploring where and how Denverites once worked, shopped, and played.

Genres: Nonfiction, Historical, History

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2015

Reviews

[MKF · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lived in Denver and its surrounded areas for years. I never saw Denver the way so many others see it. It was crowded, noisy, dirty, and in most places run down. Yet I also saw the city spending all this money on new developments and stupid things while the cost of living soared along with the homeless population grew and resources became scarce. This book reminded me so much of that I couldn't really enjoy it. So many buildings from Colorado's past gone some for no real good reason others to become parking lots. Buildings "modernized" to hide historical details to create a new look for the city. This book just reminded me how much I hate Denver though my husband is a Colorado native. He wants to visit next year and I am already complaining.

[Haines Eason · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I said prior of another in this series, these books lack any real sense of narrative and this can become a slog. This book’s subject makes it a little more engrossing in that one is left with nothing but wonder, the landmarks discussed being all destroyed. The tearing up and tearing down happening in Denver these days is apparently is just business as usual...

[Kyle Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mainly pictures, but still very interesting to see how Denver has changed over that 150 years.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad to see the beautiful buildings we've lost, and astonishing to see just how many!

[Stan Pedzick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book documenting the loss of Denver's past.

[Helen Lind · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, fascinating read, especially if you're a native or have lived in the Denver area for over 40 years as I have.