1898 Denver CO by Pen & Picture

DENVER AS A SOCIAL CENTRE

"Society is a strong solution of books. It draws the virtue out of what is worth reading as hot water draws the strength of tea leaves:"
- Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Denver is deservedly celebrated for its social life, clubs and places of amusement.

The Denver Club is a massive stone structure, which cost $250,000, the members consisting of prominent business men and capitalists.

The Denver Athletic Club is one of the finest in the country, the building and equipment costing $225,000 and has a large membership.

The University Club is a beautiful building of white and gray tile brick in the Colonial style of architecture. It has a membership of several hundreds of college men.

The Progress Club has an elegant club house built of undressed lava stone.

The Woman's Club of Denver is one of the most progressive and active organizations in the city, with a membership of 1,000 educated, refined women. Its numerous meetings now take place in Unity Church pending the erection of a suitable club house.

The Denver Wheel Club, with several hundred members, recently erected a commodious club house. The Arapahoe Wheel Club, The Ramblers and the Y. M. C. A. Wheel Club also have comfortable club rooms.

The Tabor Grand Opera House, seating capacity 1,500, was built in 1880 and has few superiors in America. The Broadway Theatre, seating capacity 1,650, was built in 1890. These houses are regularly supplied by the best operatic and theatrical companies. There are two other theatres--the Lyceum and Orpheum.

Above: The Denver Club

Denver is amply provided with spacious, well equipped and well kept public parks. The two largest are the City Park, 320 acres, and Congress Park, 160 acres (the latter the gift of Congress to the city) on the highest point of Capitol Hill, commanding a view of 200 miles of mountains, many of them over 13, 000 feet high. The others are Lincoln Park, Dunham Park, Chaffee Park, etc. In the City Park and Lincoln Park military bands give high class concerts on summer evenings.

Suburban resorts in private hands are: Elitch's Gardens (including zoological collection, theatre, etc.); Manhattan Beach (including zoological collection, theatre and lake); Rocky Mountain Lake, Berkeley Lake, Arlington Park, etc. At the last named park the amusement known as "Shooting the Chutes" has been inaugurated.

Social life in Denver finds its acme of activity in and through the Women's Clubs, of which there are more than 100--social, literary, educational, musical, etc.

USGenNet.org ~ 1st & Only 501c3 Host of Historical & Genealogical Sites Totally Supported by Donations ~ Please help if you are able.