In 2003, the Valley Highway project submitted a full Environmental Impact Statement that provided a great deal of detail into highway-area resources. Its review of our historical setting was especially interesting.

Attached is a file that provides a full archeological review of the area, plus architectural assessments on many structures that could be impacted. While I wouldn't recommend this for story-time reading, it certainly offers a new perspective on our area structures and their importance within Denver history generally.

Nearly 40 homes on south Lincoln and east Ellsworth were found by the State Historic Preservation office to be potentially eligible for historic designation. Interested in what they uncovered for these homes, and how the evaluation was completed? Attached is a file indicating the survey results for three of these homes, which provides more detail into both the process and the content of this historical survey.

Should West Washington Park work towards the development of a police museum on its western border? That's the idea of Officer Dean Christopherson, who sees a tremendous opportunity in the planned sale of a 1931 Denver Police station at 20 East Center Avenue. Details below:

The location at #20 E. Center Avenue is an original Denver Police Station, put into service in 1931. This building would make an excellent location to house a moderate sized Police Museum. The geographic location is right off the Interstate #25 exits, and on the busy Broadway corridor. The building is currently being utilized by the Denver Fire Department for storage of supplies. It is anticipated that the building will be vacated by the DFD in the coming months.

The building is in generally good shape, although some cosmetic work would be required, such as interior paint and minor repairs. The roof has been repaired recently, and new heating unit installed in the basement. Since the building has been in active service, there has been general upkeep of the property, minimizing the need for extensive renovation.

The station is roughly 50' x 35', with a small furnace/basement area. The construction is brick, with classic art-deco style design, popular in the 1930s. Incorporated into the design is the Seal of the City & County of Denver over the main entrance. There are also two garage stalls attached, with overhead doors, which could easily house vintage vehicles for display.

The Valley Highway project was required to evaluate historical resources in its Environmental Impact Statement. Released on November 15, 2006, this document compiled a great deal of information regarding the southern border of West Wash Park, and is a worthwhile read for a variety on topics, including Noise Pollution, Air Quality, Soils & Geography, Paleontology, and a dozen other characteristics.

(Was a mammoth tooth found in West Wash Park?! More research at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science would be necessary.)

But for the point of this posting, the online document indicates that West Washington Park contains numerous buildings as potential contributing structures in a national historic district. These structures on south Lincoln and East Ellsworth are listed, and described as follows:

West Washington Park Historic District (5DV6959)

The APE [Area of Potential Effect] includes a portion of the western edge of West Washington Park, a historic district residential area characterized by rows of generally well-preserved, modest-sized (predominantly brick) dwellings built mainly between 1900 and 1930.

Approximately 90 historic dwellings in this area were inventoried in 1999 by Centennial Archaeology in conjunction with the I-25 Broadway viaduct replacement project. Centennial’s 1999 survey encompassed a portion of the Valley Highway APE, including 26 significant historic houses on South Lincoln Street and East Exposition Avenue, one significant auto garage on South Lincoln Street, and one significant historic commercial building on South Broadway. Centennial did not recommend any of these properties as individually eligible for the NRHP, but evaluated them as contributing to a historic district.