Dreamers sought independence here. In 1878, P. T. Barnum, the master showman, bought land west of Denver. This area became the Barnum neighborhood.
Let’s talk about P. T. Barnum. He was born in 1810 and died in 1891. Barnum was known for promoting hoaxes. He founded the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Barnum called himself a showman. He said no amount of gilding could make him anything else.
Barnum bought 760 acres for only $11,000. He planned a subdivision. But Barnum never wintered his circus animals here. They stayed in Connecticut or Florida. He only visited Colorado four times. Barnum sold most of the land to his daughter, Helen Buchtel. She paid just one dollar. Helen and her husband, William Buchtel, developed Barnum. William was also the mayor of Barnum in 1887. The Town of Barnum was annexed by Denver in 1893. It became part of Denver in 1902.
Barnum’s history involves a strong community. Journalist Robert Autobee noted Barnum’s struggle. Denver often neglected older neighborhoods. This neglect shaped Barnum’s identity. Barnum began as a Denver suburb. It became a haven for working-class families. Barnum wasn’t affluent. However, it was more prosperous than other Westside neighborhoods. Families had modest means and a strong sense of pride.
Early residents fought for transportation and paved roads. A rail connection came in 1893. But service remained inconvenient. Mud became a symbol of Barnum. A local saying went: If you stick with Barnum, Barnum will stick with you. Barnum was annexed to Denver in 1896. The neighborhood improved. Still, gains came from fights and instilled pride.
The Great Depression hit Barnum hard. World War II brought the Denver Ordnance Plant in 1940. Workers found homes in Barnum. After the war, suburbanization challenged Barnum. New residents sought homes elsewhere.
Hispanic residents began arriving in the 1950s. By 1980, they were a majority. Tensions emerged. However, they were less severe than in other neighborhoods. A common interest in quality of life helped. Community groups like Concerned Citizens of Barnum helped resolve conflicts.
In the late 20th century, Barnum became an island in a declining Westside. Homeownership was high. Incomes were better than nearby areas. Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian immigrants arrived after the Vietnam War.
Today, Barnum is mostly Hispanic. The average household income is modest. Most housing is owner-occupied. Hispanic homeownership is higher than in Denver overall. Poverty is no more common than elsewhere in Denver.
The Barnum neighborhood is square. Its boundaries are Sixth Avenue, Federal Boulevard, Alameda Avenue, and Perry Street.
Phineas Taylor Barnum was a showman, entertainer, and businessman. He founded what became the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
In the early 1990s, April Crumley created Cedar Park. It features an elephant sculpture. Children helped mix and apply concrete to the elephant. The park stands as a testament to Crumley’s hard work. It offers charm and peace to the Barnum neighborhood.
So, as you explore Barnum, remember its history. A showman’s dream. A working-class haven. A community of families. Barnum’s legacy lives on here in Denver.