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Denver-Pueblo Section Page 735 Points of Interest
tory. Six days later, with a full set of example of what can be accomplished in the
officers, Denver began its historical and bril- way of creating a beauty spot on land that
liant career. Later the town of Aurari* be- only a few years ago was covered with
came a part of Denver and is now known as cactus and buffalo grass and devoid of trees.
# West Denver. It has two lakes, an extensive zoo, a fine
Denver may well be called a city of lights, aviary and a splendid museum of natural his-
so high a state of development has beer tory. In the center of the larger of the two
reached in the lighting system; the main lakes is a magnificent electric fountain,
business thoroughfares in the early part of which cost $20,000 and which displays its
the night are almost as light as day. On beautiful combination of colors every even-
each side of Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seven- ing in summer. In the park are beautiful
teenth streets, the main arteries of trade, driveways lined with trees and shrubbery,
the city has erected ornamental light poles and flower beds that are not surpassed in
of wrought iron, the plan being different on any park in the world. The wonderful sun-
each street. Seventeenth street is known as shine of Colorado imparts to the flowers a
the “National Thoroughfare,” as it begins at richness of hue that is the marvel of visitors.
the very portals of Union station. At the Denver is the chief supply center for the
edge of the depot grounds stands “Welcome agricultural, stock raising and mining re-
Arch,” constructed of bronze and iron. It is gions of Colorado and New Mexico, and in the
86 feet wide, 65 feet high and has 2,000 in- vicinity are some of the most extensive
candescent lights. It was built in 1906 by a smelting works of the country, the value of
popular subscription, costing $22,500. The ore treated by which amounts to between
side fronting the depot is emblazoned with $20,000,000 and $30,000,000 annually. Denver
the word “Welcome” and the reverse side also has important manufacturing industries,
with the word “Mizpah” (The Lord watch which comprise canning and packing, manu-
v over thee)—an adieu to those who are leaving factures of iron, steel, glass, paper, shoes,
the city. flour, cotton and woolen goods. The city
Denver has many men of great wealth, contains the car shops of the D. & R. G. and
both retired and in active business, who the Col. & Sou. Rys. It is an important rail-
have built magnificent mansions of brick way center and the emporium of the rich
and stone for their families. Palatial homes gold and silver mining districts of the state,
of men who started out without a penny as well as chief center of the coal trade.
and cast their lot in this western country in There is so much in and about Denver
the earlier days are now scattered all over that the tourist deems it almost his duty
Capitol Hill and other residence districts, to see that many days can be profitably and
and to anyone having the time a trip over enjoyably spent here. Space will not permit
these streets and avenues would be well of our describing each of these varied at-
worth while. tractions, but among the many points of
Denver has many beautiful parks, the larg- interest special mention might be made of
est of these being City park. It contains 320 the following:
acres and was purchased as raw land from State Capitol, standing at the crest of a
the state in 1879. This park is a splendid slope that is the west slope of Capitol Hill.
State Capitol, Denver, Col.

