Remember those old Westerns? Auraria has a story wilder than any gunslinger tale. This isn’t just a neighborhood. It’s Denver’s oldest, predating the city itself.
Auraria stands as a testament to Denver’s evolution. Today, it’s the Auraria Higher Education Center. Three institutions thrive here. The University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the Community College of Denver all call this place home.
Let’s journey back to 1858. Miners, led by the Russell brothers, founded Auraria. They hailed from Auraria, Georgia. That town boomed after gold’s discovery in 1828. Auraria’s name reflects that gold rush fever. “Aurum” is Latin for gold. The founders envisioned a city of neat blocks. Streets ran perpendicular and parallel to Cherry Creek.
But a rival sprang up quickly. William Larimer established Denver City. The two towns engaged in a short, fierce competition. They merged in April 1860. Denver was born. Auraria became West Denver.
The Auraria envisioned by its founders never fully materialized. Instead, it became a mixed-use neighborhood. Mills, breweries, and warehouses stood beside homes. Working-class families and single men resided here. Over time, Auraria became a working-class enclave. Immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe settled here. Churches like St. Elizabeth’s and St. Leo’s served their communities.
By the 1920s, Auraria transformed again. It became a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. Residents came from southern Colorado, northern New Mexico, and Mexico. St. Cajetan’s Catholic Church became its heart.
Then came the flood of 1965. The South Platte River overflowed. The city decided on urban redevelopment. Metropolitan State College was established. The University of Colorado and the Community College of Denver joined later. The plan was to clear Auraria and build a modern campus.
Residents were displaced. Many moved to Lincoln Park. The Auraria campus was completed in 1976. Some historic structures were preserved. The Tivoli Brewery, Immanuel Episcopal Church, and the churches remained. Ninth Street Historic Park also survived. Thirteen restored Victorian homes became campus offices.
Even Golda Meir has a connection here. Her former home was relocated to Ninth Street Historic Park.
Today, Auraria stands as a mix of old and new. Students research their families’ past in the area. They connect with Denver’s history. Descendants of displaced residents can receive scholarships. The Auraria community continues its story.
The neighborhood is expansive. It contains businesses, parks, museums, and religious sites. The boundaries form a cone shape.
The Tivoli Brewery stands as a reminder of Auraria’s past. Founded in 1860 by Moritz Sigi, it faced rivalry and misfortune. It even used horse-drawn beer wagons during World War II rationing.
Auraria’s story is one of transformation. From a gold mining camp to a diverse neighborhood to a college campus, it has reinvented itself. It reminds us that cities are ever-evolving.