How about a trip back in time? Imagine Welton Street bustling with jazz music spilling out of every doorway. This is Five Points. It is one of Denver’s oldest neighborhoods. Five Points is more than just streets and buildings. It is a living testament to Denver’s rich African-American history.
Once known as the “Harlem of the West” Five Points thrived. This happened from the 1920s to the 1950s. Segregation forced African Americans into this area. Despite facing discrimination they created a vibrant community. Businesses flourished along Welton Street. There were restaurants barbers and tailors. Churches stood as pillars of strength.
But the heart of Five Points was its music scene. More than fifty bars and clubs lined Welton Street. Jazz legends graced the stages here. Billie Holiday Duke Ellington and Miles Davis all played in Five Points. Black performers were excluded from other hotels. They found refuge at the Rossonian Hotel. The Rossonian became a famous music venue.
The intersection of 26th Avenue 27th Street Washington Street and Welton Street creates the five points. This is how the neighborhood got its name.
Unfortunately Five Points faced decline from the late 1950s. Wealthier residents moved to the suburbs. Drugs crime and urban flight took their toll. Businesses closed and properties were abandoned.
But Five Points’ story doesn’t end there. It is a story of resilience. Today Five Points is experiencing a renaissance. In 2002 it was designated a cultural historic district. This recognized its importance in African-American history. The Black American West Museum and the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library preserve this legacy.
The Five Points Jazz Festival celebrates the neighborhood’s musical heritage every May. Juneteenth is also a major celebration. It commemorates the end of slavery. A parade vendors and street performers fill Welton Street.
Though demographics have shifted Five Points remains a cultural hub. Its history is etched into the buildings and streets. There are mansions next to row homes here. In the past, the neighborhood even had a large Jewish population. Temple Emanuel once stood at 24th and Curtis Street. After World War II Japanese-Americans resettled in Five Points too.
Five Points is still evolving. New businesses are opening. People are investing in the community again. The spirit of Five Points lives on. It honors its past. It embraces its future. It is a place where music history and culture intertwine.