Highland, Denver facts for kids
Highland is a cool neighborhood right in the center of Denver, Colorado, United States. It's located just northwest of downtown Denver. Imagine a map: Highland is bordered by West 38th Avenue to the north, a train track to the east, the South Platte River to the southeast, Speer Boulevard to the south, and Federal Boulevard to the west.
Sometimes, people use "the Highlands" to talk about two neighborhoods: Highland and West Highland. Even though they are next to each other, they are actually separate places! Both are part of a larger area called the Northside. To make things a bit clearer, Highland is sometimes called East Highland, Lower Highland, or LoHi.
About 57,000 people live in the Highland and West Highland neighborhoods combined.
Contents
History of Highland
How Highland Started
The area we know as Highland was first planned out in December 1858. A man named William Larimer, Jr. created the plans. He had also founded Denver City just a month before!
In 1859, a company formed to develop Highland. They even planned a bridge over the Platte River to connect Highland to other towns like Auraria and Denver. A surveyor named Henry Allen helped set up this company.
People quickly saw how special Highland was. The Rocky Mountain News newspaper wrote that it was a beautiful spot for homes. They said it had great views of Auraria, Denver, and the land around it.
Becoming a Town
In 1875, a group of developers, including Owen LeFevre, asked the local government to create a village. After adding nearby areas like Potter Highland and Highland Park, they formed the Town of Highlands. This town officially became a city in 1885.
Elitch Gardens: A Fun Place to Be!
In 1887, a couple named John and Mary Elitch bought a large farm in Highland. This farm was full of vegetables, fruits, and trees. They used the produce for their restaurant in downtown Denver.
Mary Elitch once said that Highland felt like a wild place back then. She and her husband would drive across the plains to get to Denver. A trip to "the city" was a big adventure for them!
On May 1, 1890, the Elitches opened their amazing Zoological Gardens and Grand Pavilion Theatre. This place later became famous as Elitch Gardens, a popular amusement park. Even though the amusement park later moved to downtown Denver, the historic Elitch Theatre is still at its original spot today. It's one of Denver's oldest buildings!
Joining Denver City
Early residents of Highland enjoyed clean drinking water from Owen LeFevre's well. They also loved the fresh air, as breezes from the west blew away any smog. People in Highland supported building schools, a library, and other important services. They wanted their town to have everything a good city should.
However, the town leaders found it hard to keep up with all these services. So, in 1896, after a lot of discussion, the people of Highland voted to join Denver. This meant Highland became a part of the bigger city of Denver.
Highland Today
Who Lives in Highland?
Highland and West Highland are diverse neighborhoods. Many different people from various backgrounds call these areas home.
Safety and Homes
The crime rate in Highland is similar to the average crime rate for Denver as a whole. This means it's generally as safe as other parts of the city.
If you're curious about homes, the average price for a house in Highland can be quite high. For example, in May 2023, homes cost around $518 for each square foot.
Gallery
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Houses in Lower Highland
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Commercial buildings along the old street car lines in Lower Highland
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Restaurants in Highland Square, 32nd Ave and Lowell blvd
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Typical side street, Denver Highland
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Highland Park
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The Old Highland Business District at 15th and Boulder streets
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The Historic Elitch Theatre at 38th and Tennyson
