If you were lucky enough to live in the marvelous Mile High City back in the 1970s, you’ll love these amazing vintage photos from Denver that’ll transport you back in time. While things sure have changed since these images were captured back in the good old days, much remains the same. Be prepared to be mesmerized!
- Rocky Mountain Arsenal South Plant, 1970
Wikimedia What is now the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge was once a chemical weapons manufacturing center operated by the United States Army. The plant closed in 1992, followed by an extensive clean-up project to restore it to its natural beauty.
- Rocky Mountain Arsenal, 1971
Wikimedia A Denver Post photographer captures an employee at Rocky Mountain Arsenal checking mustard ton containers for leaks prior to loading, July 20, 1971.
- University of Denver, 1970
Wikimedia Woodstock West was held at the University of Denver, May 8, 1970, in the name of peace and freedom.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs Demonstration, 1970
Wikimedia Anyone else experiencing déjà vu? Here the National Indian Youth Council holds a demonstration at the Bureau of Indian Affairs office in Denver, in March of 1970.
- Denver, 1972
Wikimedia Not much has changed since photographer Bruce McAllister captured this ironic image of a waterway in Denver for the Environmental Protection Agency back in April of 1972. Water is life, people!
- The “Silver Flash,” 1970
Wikimedia After its discontinuance the Texas Zephyr equipment was stored in Denver, Colorado. Here you see the observation car, the “Silver Flash,” shot on May 18, 1970.
- Downtown Denver, 1972
Wikimedia Denver has grown quite a bit since Billy Hathorn captured this iconic shot of the Mile High skyline in May of 1972.
- Colfax Avenue, 1972
Wikimedia Bruce McAllister also nailed a perfect shot of Colfax Avenue (aka “the longest, wickedest street in America”) in April of 1972.
- Heart o’ Denver Motor Hotel, 1975
Wikimedia Dennis Harper took this image of a long-gone hotel located at 1100 East Colfax Avenue in August of 1975. At the time, Pete Owens was in training at the nearby Lowry Air Force Base.
- Denver’s Union Station, 1977
Wikimedia When this image was taken in July 1977, Denver’s Union Station had two non-Amtrak passenger trains. The Rio Grande Zephyr on the right was bound for Salt Lake City, Utah, and the Union Pacific excursion train on the left was headed north to Laramie, Wyoming.
- Westside Historic District, 1978
Wikimedia A charming street view of the 1300 block of Kalamantha Street West in the Westside Historic District in Denver, circa 1978.
- Plymouth Place, 1979
Wikimedia Photographer James O. Milmoe captures this image of Plymouth Place at 1560-1562 Broadway in the winter of 1979.
- Plymouth Place, 1979
Wikimedia Another vantage point of Plymouth Place at 1560-1562 Broadway by photographer James O. Milmoe in the winter of 1979. Sure wish I could hit up the Typewriter Emporium today! Sigh.
Staying on the nostalgia train, check out the 10 Most Historic Neighborhoods in Denver that’ll take you back in time.
Wikimedia
What is now the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge was once a chemical weapons manufacturing center operated by the United States Army. The plant closed in 1992, followed by an extensive clean-up project to restore it to its natural beauty.
A Denver Post photographer captures an employee at Rocky Mountain Arsenal checking mustard ton containers for leaks prior to loading, July 20, 1971.
Woodstock West was held at the University of Denver, May 8, 1970, in the name of peace and freedom.
Anyone else experiencing déjà vu? Here the National Indian Youth Council holds a demonstration at the Bureau of Indian Affairs office in Denver, in March of 1970.
Not much has changed since photographer Bruce McAllister captured this ironic image of a waterway in Denver for the Environmental Protection Agency back in April of 1972. Water is life, people!
After its discontinuance the Texas Zephyr equipment was stored in Denver, Colorado. Here you see the observation car, the “Silver Flash,” shot on May 18, 1970.
Denver has grown quite a bit since Billy Hathorn captured this iconic shot of the Mile High skyline in May of 1972.
Bruce McAllister also nailed a perfect shot of Colfax Avenue (aka “the longest, wickedest street in America”) in April of 1972.
Dennis Harper took this image of a long-gone hotel located at 1100 East Colfax Avenue in August of 1975. At the time, Pete Owens was in training at the nearby Lowry Air Force Base.
When this image was taken in July 1977, Denver’s Union Station had two non-Amtrak passenger trains. The Rio Grande Zephyr on the right was bound for Salt Lake City, Utah, and the Union Pacific excursion train on the left was headed north to Laramie, Wyoming.
A charming street view of the 1300 block of Kalamantha Street West in the Westside Historic District in Denver, circa 1978.
Photographer James O. Milmoe captures this image of Plymouth Place at 1560-1562 Broadway in the winter of 1979.
Another vantage point of Plymouth Place at 1560-1562 Broadway by photographer James O. Milmoe in the winter of 1979. Sure wish I could hit up the Typewriter Emporium today! Sigh.
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