Colorado Amphitheater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Colorado Amphitheater
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The site in 2013.
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | 15001 Denver W. Pkwy., Golden, Colorado |
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| Built | 1935 |
| Built by | Works Progress Administration |
| Architect | Ardourel, Frank J. |
| MPS | Camp George West MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000378 |
| Added to NRHP | May 20, 1993 |
The Colorado Amphitheater, also known as Structure #41, is a special outdoor theater. It was built in 1935 using natural stone, like a giant puzzle. This amphitheater was made for the soldiers at Camp George West of the Colorado National Guard.
You can find it near the bottom of South Table Mountain, which is a flat-topped hill (called a mesa) just east of Golden, Colorado.
Building the Amphitheater
The Colorado Amphitheater was built during a tough time in American history called the Great Depression. Many people didn't have jobs. To help, the government started programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
The WPA hired people to build important things like roads, parks, and buildings. This amphitheater was one of their projects. It was built under the direction of Neil West Kimball, whose grandfather was the general that Camp George West was named after.
What It Was Used For
The main reason the amphitheater was built was to show movies to the soldiers at Camp George West. Imagine watching a film outdoors under the stars! It was a great way for the troops to relax and be entertained.
However, over time, the amphitheater became less used. The main reason was that too many rattlesnakes started to make it their home. It became too uncomfortable and unsafe for people to gather there.
Later, the land where the amphitheater sits was taken over by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. This laboratory focuses on finding new ways to create clean energy.
A Place in History
The Colorado Amphitheater is considered an important historical place. In 1993, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history. Being on this list helps protect these places for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
See also
