Like any city Denver has its deep, dark secrets. 5280 Magazine interviewed a few area guides to the Mile High City’s little known facts.
1. Three Governors in One Day
In 1905, it was discovered the two candidates had conducted voter fraud during the 1904 elections. So Governor Peabody was declared the winner of the race, on the condition he’d resign the next day by Lieutenant Governor McDonald.
2. Birthplace of the Cheeseburger
The cheeseburger was trademarked in Denver in 1935 by Louis E. Ballast, owner of the old Humpty Dumpty Barrel on North Speer Boulevard. A Key Bank sits there today, but there is a granite marker to commemorate the achievement.
3. Brown Palace Crematorium
The Brown Palace Hotel originally had a crematorium in the basement (however there’s no record it was ever used).
4. Bob Dylan Was A Denverite
Before Bob Dylan was famous, he lived at 1736 East 17th Avenue while he played a series of gigs at the Satire Lounge.
5. Beatles Before Stardom
In 1964 an up-and-coming band called the Beatles played Red Rocks. They didn’t even sell out the amphitheater.
6. The Capitol’s Three Mile High Markers
As technology has improved, the Capitol’s steps have been measured three times to see which one is exactly one mile about sea level. A marker was placed at the 15th, 18th and, lastly, the 13th step.
7. Oldest Bar Still Open
My Brother’s Bar at Platte and 15th streets is actually Denver’s oldest bar (opening in 1873). It’s still a popular spot today.
8. Largest Selection of Whiskey in the World
The Mile High is home to the largest selection of single malt whiskey in the world! Pints Pub in the Golden Triangle offers 124 of 125 Scottish distilleries. There are nearly 200 whiskeys, including a $1,000 glass of their rarest bottles!
9. Led Zeppelin’s First American Show
When Led Zeppelin arrived in America in 1968, they played their first gig at the Denver Auditorium Arena (now home to the Buell Theatre).
Source: http://www.5280.com/cultureandevents/digital/2015/06/13-little-known-secrets-about-denver
