661.398.9898 | [email protected]

Washington Park

Previous Image
Next Image

info heading

info content

“30 acres of bare land, lying above the city ditch, with no tree or even shrub upon it…when nothing resembling a park can be made in the next 10 years” What a difference 100 years makes! It is hard to believe that one of Denver’s most popular parks, Washington Park, was met with such skepticism from The Denver Eye, at the turn of the 20th century!

Originally part of the town of South Denver, Smith’s Lake was eyed by Mayor Thomas S. McMurray as the ideal location for a new park. He purchased as much land as he could and then began proceedings to condemn additional property, reaching a total of 160 acres by the time all of the legal wrangling was finished in 1899. Designed by Reinhardt Schuetze (who also designed Platt Park), the first superintendent of the park was John B. Lang, who transplanted trees and shrubs from the mountains to landscape the area.

By 1901, streetcar lines were expanding heading south on Franklin from Alameda, with one branch heading down South Gaylord to Louisiana. With the increase in accessibility came the first interest in building in Washington Park. Joseph Sterling’s park front home was built in 1906 and Washington Park Place was platted by the Park Place Land Company in 1907.

The extensive landscaping at the park required a great deal of water, and Smith’s Lake came in handy. Grasmere Lake was also added at this time for additional water supplies. The first bathing beach at Smith’s Lake opened in 1911, and prior to being integrated in 1914, the lake was actually divided off by rope to keep the men and women apart! J.J.B. Benedict designed the boathouse and pavilion to the south of the lake, which were completed in 1913.

Between 1920 and 1930 the population of Washington Park increased by 75 percent and brick bungalows popped up everywhere (a result of 1886 ordinance barring frame construction). The fire station, at 1540 East Virginia (where it continues to operate in a newer building today), was built in 1924. South Gaylord Street was zoned for business at its initial zoning in 1925 creating a thriving shopping area where local residents could find anything they needed from a haircut to a night out at the movies.

During this time even Molly Brown was a part of Washington Park’s history. She is responsible for the relocation of Eugene Field’s house to the park in 1930 following his death. It had been the smallest library branch in Denver and remained open in that capacity until 1970. A former editor of the Denver Tribune, Field’s house was designated a Denver Landmark in 1970 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Smith’s Ditch, which is 27.25 miles long, was originally responsible for supplying water throughout the city. Today, the only stretch that is still visible borders Washington Park from Virginia to Louisiana Avenues. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

Today, Washington Park is arguably the most popular and most loved park in Denver. The flower gardens are spectacular and feature over 62 varieties of annuals. No matter what the weather you always see someone taking advantage of the beauty of the park, a bare piece of land no more!

The Information shown above is provided by permission from Sonja Leonard Leonard.

53 Results
 
$4,495,000
Beds: 7
Baths: 2 | 4
Sq. Ft.: 5,842
Logo
Courtesy of:
Grant Real Estate LLC
 
$3,995,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 3 | 2
Sq. Ft.: 6,754
Courtesy of:
RE/MAX of Cherry Creek
 
$3,799,999
Beds: 5
Baths: 2 | 5
Sq. Ft.: 5,123
Logo
Courtesy of:
The Agency - Denver
 
$3,600,000
Beds: 5
Baths: 5 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 5,393
Logo
Courtesy of:
Compass - Denver
 
$3,500,000
Beds: 6
Baths: 3 | 2
Sq. Ft.: 5,747
Logo
Courtesy of:
LIV Sotheby's International Realty
 
$3,400,000
Beds: 5
Baths: 4 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 5,514
Logo
Courtesy of:
Compass - Denver
 
$3,275,000
Beds: 5
Baths: 4 | 2
Sq. Ft.: 6,543
Logo
Courtesy of:
COLDWELL BANKER REALTY
 
$3,195,000
Beds: 6
Baths: 2 | 4
Sq. Ft.: 5,312
Logo
Courtesy of:
The Agency - Denver
 
$3,100,000
Beds: 6
Baths: 4 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 5,570
Logo
Courtesy of:
LIV Sotheby's International Realty
 
$2,995,000
Beds: 3
Baths: 1 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 2,359
Logo
Courtesy of:
Grant Real Estate Company
 
$2,875,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 4 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 4,708
Logo
Courtesy of:
Compass - Denver
 
Open House: Mar 24, 2024 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
884 S Vine Street, Denver, CO 80209
$2,850,000
Beds: 5
Baths: 3 | 3
Sq. Ft.: 4,400
Logo
Courtesy of:
Milehimodern
 
$2,725,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 2 | 2
Sq. Ft.: 4,490
Logo
Courtesy of:
Compass - Denver
 
$2,490,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 3 | 2
Sq. Ft.: 3,620
Logo
Courtesy of:
Milehimodern
 
$2,468,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 3 | 3
Sq. Ft.: 4,778
Logo
Courtesy of:
KENTWOOD REAL ESTATE DTC, LLC
 
$2,449,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 2 | 3
Sq. Ft.: 3,487
Logo
Courtesy of:
Capital Property Group LLC
 
$2,395,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 3 | 2
Sq. Ft.: 3,625
Logo
Courtesy of:
Milehimodern
 
$2,250,000
Beds: 5
Baths: 3 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 3,279
Logo
Courtesy of:
KENTWOOD REAL ESTATE DTC, LLC
 
$2,250,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 3 | 2
Sq. Ft.: 3,808
Logo
Courtesy of:
Milehimodern
 
$2,000,000
Beds: 3
Baths: 3 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 3,053
Logo
Courtesy of:
KENTWOOD REAL ESTATE DTC, LLC
 
$2,000,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 4 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 4,821
Logo
Courtesy of:
Coldwell Banker Realty 24
 
$1,975,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 2 | 3
Sq. Ft.: 3,627
Logo
Courtesy of:
Milehimodern
 
$1,950,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 3 | 2
Sq. Ft.: 3,520
Logo
Courtesy of:
COLORADO DREAM PROPERTIES
 
$1,800,000
Beds: 5
Baths: 3 | 2
Sq. Ft.: 3,496
Logo
Courtesy of:
Coldwell Banker Realty 18
 
$1,690,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 2 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 2,806
Logo
Courtesy of:
KENTWOOD REAL ESTATE DTC, LLC
 
$1,590,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 2 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 3,146
Logo
Courtesy of:
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE INC
 
$1,399,900
Beds: 3
Baths: 1 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 2,266
Logo
Courtesy of:
LIV Sotheby's International Realty
 
$1,365,000
Beds: 3
Baths: 2
Sq. Ft.: 2,789
Logo
Courtesy of:
Compass - Denver
 
$1,350,000
Beds: 3
Baths: 1 | 3
Sq. Ft.: 3,168
Logo
Courtesy of:
Your Castle Real Estate Inc
 
$1,279,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 3 | 2
Sq. Ft.: 3,347
Logo
Courtesy of:
THE RESOURCE GROUP LLC
 
$1,279,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 3 | 2
Sq. Ft.: 3,465
Logo
Courtesy of:
THE RESOURCE GROUP LLC
 
$1,250,000
Beds: 3
Baths: 2 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 2,008
Logo
Courtesy of:
LIV Sotheby's International Realty
 
$1,250,000
Beds: 3
Baths: 1 | 2
Sq. Ft.: 3,060
Logo
Courtesy of:
KENTWOOD REAL ESTATE DTC, LLC
 
$1,198,000
Beds: 0
Baths: 0
Sq. Ft.: N/A
Logo
Courtesy of:
LIV Sotheby's International Realty
 
$1,180,000
Beds: 5
Baths: 3 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 3,790
Logo
Courtesy of:
Rebel Realty
 
$1,078,000
Beds: 5
Baths: 2
Sq. Ft.: 1,518
Logo
Courtesy of:
RE/MAX Professionals
 
$850,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 1 | 2
Sq. Ft.: 1,922
Logo
Courtesy of:
RE/MAX Professionals
 
$810,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 1 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 1,951
Logo
Courtesy of:
Keller Williams Realty Downtown LLC
 
$649,900
Beds: 2
Baths: 1 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 1,225
Logo
Courtesy of:
Keller Williams DTC
 
$599,000
Beds: 2
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft.: 1,049
Logo
Courtesy of:
ONE REALTY LLC
 
$589,900
Beds: 2
Baths: 1 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 1,272
Logo
Courtesy of:
RE/MAX Professionals
 
$559,000
Beds: 2
Baths: 2
Sq. Ft.: 1,272
Logo
Courtesy of:
KENTWOOD REAL ESTATE DTC, LLC
 
$550,000
Beds: 1
Baths: 1 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 867
Logo
Courtesy of:
REDT LLC
 
$478,000
Beds: 1
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft.: 768
Logo
Courtesy of:
MB CC and Company LLC
 
$465,000
Beds: 1
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft.: 664
Logo
Courtesy of:
REDT LLC
 
$464,900
Beds: 1
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft.: 660
Logo
Courtesy of:
REDT LLC
 
$439,900
Beds: 2
Baths: 1 | 1
Sq. Ft.: 1,370
Logo
Courtesy of:
Brokers Guild Real Estate
 
$399,000
Beds: 2
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft.: 629
Logo
Courtesy of:
RE/MAX Professionals
 
$374,000
Beds: 1
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft.: 768
Logo
Courtesy of:
Keller Williams DTC
 
$349,000
Beds: 1
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft.: 622
Logo
Courtesy of:
Kentwood Real Estate Cherry Creek
 
©2024 METROLIST, INC., DBA RECOLORADO® - All Rights Reserved.
The content relating to real estate for sale in this Web site comes in part from the Internet Data eXchange ("IDX") program of METROLIST, INC., DBA RECOLORADO® Real estate listings held by brokers other than RE/MAX Cherry Creek are marked with the IDX Logo. This information is being provided for the consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any other purpose. All information subject to change and should be independently verified. Full IDX Disclaimer. DMCA.
REcolorado® data last updated at March 18, 2024 7:57 PM MT

bottom logo
Kelli Lanphere
Associate Broker, Co-Owner
RE/MAX of Cherry Creek, Inc.
(303) 888-4127
[email protected]
RE/MAX Professionals RE/MAX of Cherry Creek, Inc.
100 Jackson Street
Denver, Colorado 80206

Get in Touch

Full Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Message / Inquiries

captcha
Enter Characters Here