Five Points Historic Cultural District signs installed

New signs proclaiming the new name Five Points Historic Cultural District have gone up along the Welton Street corridor.

The new name for the former Welton Street Cultural Historic District better reflects the corridor's longstanding identity and cultural heritage.

"It's a change that symbolizes a lot to the people of this community," says Brad Buchanan, executive director of the Denver Community Planning and Development Department, which oversees landmark preservation in the city. "A historic cultural district helps to tell the story of our city's development, so it's important that its name reflects the district's true identity."

In 2002, the city designated the Welton Street corridor between 24th and 30th streets a historic district. It was the cultural and commercial heart of Denver's African-American community from the post-Civil War era through the mid 1960s. Nine historic buildings from this era remain standing.

The district's most distinctive building is the Rossonian Hotel at 2640 Welton St. Other buildings contributing to the district are the Atlas Drug Store, 2701 Welton; Radio Pharmacy-Wise Harris Building, 605 26th St.; Alta Cousins Terrace, 521 25th St.; Original Fire Station #3, 2563 Glenarm Place; Fire Station #3, 2500 Washington; Douglas Undertaking Building, 2745 Welton; Metropolitan Investment Co.-Equity Savings and Loan-Cousins Building, 2559 Welton; and Rice's Tap Room and Oven-Simpson Hotel-KC Lounge, 2801 Welton.

"The pride of the community is reflected in the name Five Points, which denotes entrepreneurship, resourcefulness, and artistic creativity," says Tracy Winchester, executive director of the Five Points Business District. "With the economic activity we are experiencing today, these new signs will reflect our incredible past and inspire our future development."

Contact Confluence Denver Development News Editor Margaret Jackson with tips and leads for future stories at margaret@confluence-denver.com.