Please note special days and/or hours for each site.
Much more information on each site may be found at:
www.DoorsOpenDenver.org
New this year indicated in blue
16th Street Mall
Location Number: 18
Urban Adventures: A,B,H
16th St., Broadway to Wewatta
SAT 10AM - 4PM
SUN 10AM - 4PM
Architect: I.M. Pei, FAIA
Stretching 16 blocks between Civic Center and Union Stations, the granite blocks
composing this pedestrian mall were designed to resemble scales of the Western
Diamondback rattlesnake.
www.DowntownDenver.com
Year Built: 1982
Photography Allowed: Yes
Services Provided: Full disabled access, public restrooms, food/beverage service
Public Transit: RTD Light Rail, 16th St. Mall Shuttle
Horsedrawn carriages and free RTD mall shuttles (which today run on natural gas) have
transported over 300 million riders since completion in 1982. The streetlamp fixtures and
planters are architectural elements unique to the mall. 16th Street is a mile long
pedestrian friendly and bus excisable mall stretching from Union Station to Civic Center
Station; built in 1982 in order to provide citizens with a beautiful and functional mall in
the heart of downtown Denver.
The idea of making 16th Street an important part of Denver had been in existence since
before the City Beautiful movement in 1906. In the late 1800s the street was already
being used as a main street through Denver, driven through on horse drawn streetcar.
Many shops opened up along the street, turning it into a prominent shopping space. In
1971 the proposal to put in place 16th Street mall was brought up. The store front owners
did not want to put up the money for the construction. RTD (Regional Transportation
District) got the Urban Mass Transportation Administration to federally fund 80 percent of
the project, allowing the idea become a reality. The mile long Mall was completed in
1982, after two years of construction and costing $76 million with an additional $5 million
for eco-friendly buses. The street is lined with trees, and has red and grey marble
covering the street, designed to resemble the Western Diamondback Rattle Snake.
Today the 16th Street Mall is an inspiration to other cities to produce pedestrian malls.
The 16th Street mall runs from Union Station to Civic Center Station. There are outdoor
cafes, renovated historic buildings, shops and restaurants along the street.
Entertainment can be found along the whole mall, street performers, fountains and daily
special events. Looking to the North East, through the canyon between the buildings one
can see Longs Peak. To the South the Civic Center along with important Government
buildings like the State Capitol can be seen. At the South end of the Mall stands the
Pioneer Monument on Broadway and Cheyenne Place, marking the path of those that
traveled through by covered wagon.
Byers-Evans House Museum
Location Number: 44
Urban Adventures: G, J
1310 Bannock St.
SAT 10AM - 4PM
SUN 10AM - 4PM
Architect: Unknown
The Byers-Evans House Museum, a Denver landmark, was built by the first publisher of
the Rocky Mountain News.
www.ByersEvansHouseMuseum.org
Year Built: 1883
Photography Allowed: No flash photography allowed
Services Provided: Partial disabled access; food/beverage services; paid parking
The museum was sold in 1889 to William Evans, an officer of the Denver Tramway
Company and the son of Colorado’s second territorial governor, John Evans. The home
is interpreted to the period of 1912–24 with furnishings original to the Evans family.
Guides will give visitors a glimpse of the museum’s first floor.
The Byers-Evans House Museum at 1310 Bannock Street was home to two prominent
families in Denver’s past. The home was built in 1883 by William N. Byers, founding
editor of the Rocky Mountain News. Although the architect is unknown, this middle
class home was built in the Italianate style of architecture, featuring wide eaves and a
flat pitched roof. In 1889, the home was sold to William G. Evans, President of the
Denver Tramway Company and the son of Colorado’s second Territorial Governor. The
Evans family made five additions to the home prior to 1912, almost doubling the size of
the original structure. The home remained in the Evans family for nearly 90 years and
was given to History Colorado in 1981 along with its contents. A Denver landmark, the
Byers-Evans House has been beautifully restored to the period between 1912 and 1924.
Polished wood finishes, brightly patterned wallpapers, ornate mantels, and period
draperies form a backdrop for the rich variety of Evans family furnishings.
The Byers-Evans House Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
(1970) and has been designated a Denver Landmark (Number 5, 1963).
The Byers-Evans House Museum, a Denver landmark, was built to be a home for the
first publisher of the Rocky Mountain News in 1883, but has since been transformed into
a public learning center.
Although the Byers-Evans House Museum was built before City Beautiful was put in
place in 1900, its modern use as a public educational building fits the ideals of the
project. The location on 13th Street is also important to City Beautiful because it sits just
on the fringes of Civic Center Park, the biggest project Mayor Speers pushed during the
City Beautiful movement.
The Byers-Evans House Museum at 1310 Bannock Street was home to two prominent
families in Denver’s past. The home was built in 1883 by William N. Byers, founding
editor of the Rocky Mountain News. Although the architect is unknown, this middle
class home was built in the Italianate style of architecture, featuring wide eaves and a
flat pitched roof. The elegant design of the home was to show the wealth and power
Byers had in the community. In 1889, the home was sold to William G. Evans, President
of the Denver Tramway Company and the son of Colorado’s second Territorial
Governor, John Evans whom was a close friend to William N. Byers. The Evans family
made five additions to the home prior to 1912, almost doubling the size of the original
structure. The home remained in the Evans family for nearly 90 years and was given to
History Colorado in 1981 along with its contents. A Denver landmark, the Byers-Evans
House has been beautifully restored to the period between 1912 and 1924. Polished
wood finishes, brightly patterned wallpapers, ornate mantels, and period draperies form
a backdrop for the rich variety of Evans family furnishings.
The Byers-Evans House Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
(1970) and has been designated a Denver Landmark (Number 5, 1963).
Byron R. White U.S. Courthouse
Location Number: 15
Urban Adventures: G
1823 Stout St.
SAT 10AM - 2PM
SUN 10AM - 2PM
Architect: Tracy, Swartwout & Litchfield
Renamed in 1994 for Ft. Collins native, CU All-American and valedictorian, Rhodes
scholar, NFL player and Kennedy-appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice Byron
“Whizzer” White, this Neoclassical marble federal courthouse was built with a
Renaissance Revival interior featuring massive skylights.
www.gsa.gov
Year Built: 1916
Photography Allowed: No cameras or camera phones are permitted
Services Provided: Full disabled access; public restrooms
Designed as the main Denver post office, the building was remodeled in 1983 and 1994
to become the current courthouse. Although a 1994 renovation covered the skylights,
the building is brightened by exposure to the interior courtyard and recreations of the
original cast bronze sconces. The same architects were hired to design the U.S. Post
Office and Federal Courthouse. The courthouse occupies an entire city block and stands
four stories in height, set above the street in its rusticated base. There are a series of
grand stairs that lead to the main entrance and are marked by 16 three-story ionic
columns adorned with eagles. On the frieze above the main entrance is inscribed the
cities to the east and west of the building, symbolizing the flow of mail across the
country. Inscribed on either side of the colonnade are the names of the U.S. Postmaster
Generals. The main entry lobby spans the width of the building, with a terrazzo floor and
vaulted ceilings. The notable artwork includes a pair of Rocky Mountain sheep and
inscribed on wall piers are the Pony Express riders’ names, including Buffalo Bill Cody,
an important part of the history of the postal service in the American West.
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) invites you to celebrate Denver’s
unique architectural landscape by participating in Doors Open Denver 2012. Take a step
back in time and visit a building that served as a model for other local building projects
and its influence can still be seen in other governmental and public structures throughout
downtown Denver. The Byron White U. S. Courthouse is located on 1823 Stout Street
and it will be open for self-guided tours on April 14-15, from 10 am – 2 pm both days.
One of Denver’s first permanent post office and courthouse, the Byron White U.S.
Courthouse reveals interesting clues that tell a long and rich Colorado history. You’ll find
things like inscribed names on marble-faced walls with names like Buffalo Bill Cody, one
of the best-known Pony Express riders, an important part of the history of the postal
service in the American West. You can also satisfy the artist in you with a display of four
murals by artist Herman T. Schaldermundt, completed in 1918 which were recently
restored through GSA’s Fine Arts Program. Details will be available upon entering the
building at a self-help station.
GSA’s Fine Arts Collection is one of our nation’s oldest and largest public art collections.
It consists of permanently installed and moveable mural paintings, sculpture,
architectural or environmental works of art, and works on paper dating from 1850 to the
present. These civic works of art are in federal buildings and courthouses across the
United States. Maintained by GSA as a part of our national and cultural heritage, the
Fine Arts Collection serves as a reminder of the important tradition of individual creative
expression.
Throughout history architectural works are often perceived as cultural and political
symbols as well as works of art. Find one of Denver’s hidden historical treasures by
participating in Doors Open Denver 2012.
This neoclassical marble federal courthouse was built in 1916 with the original purpose
of a post office, has a Renaissance Revival interior featuring massive skylights and
multiple other works of art in and on the building reflecting the past.
Take a step back in time and visit a building that served as a model for other local
building projects and its influence can still be seen in other governmental and public
structures throughout downtown Denver. The Byron White U. S. Courthouse is located
on 1823 Stout Street. One of Denver’s first permanent post office and courthouse, the
Byron White U.S. Courthouse reveals interesting clues that tell a long and rich Colorado
history. You’ll find things like inscribed names on marble-faced walls with names like
Buffalo Bill Cody, one of the best-known Pony Express riders, an important part of the
history of the postal service in the American West. You can also satisfy the artist in you
with a display of four murals by artist Herman T. Schaldermundt, completed in 1918
which were recently restored through GSA’s Fine Arts Program. Details will be available
upon entering the building at a self-help station.
The building was remodeled in 1983 and 1994 to become the current courthouse.
Although a 1994 renovation covered the skylights, the building is brightened by exposure
to the interior courtyard and recreations of the original cast bronze sconces. The same
architects were hired to design the U.S. Post Office and Federal Courthouse. The
courthouse occupies an entire city block and stands four stories in height (six levels
total), set above the street in its rusticated base. There are a series of grand stairs that
lead to the main entrance and are marked by 16 three-story ionic columns adorned with
eagles. On the frieze above the main entrance is inscribed the cities to the east and west
of the building, symbolizing the flow of mail across the country. Inscribed on either side
of the colonnade are the names of the U.S. Postmaster Generals. The main entry lobby
spans the width of the building, with a terrazzo floor and vaulted ceilings. The notable
artwork includes a pair of Rocky Mountain sheep and inscribed on wall piers are the
Pony Express riders’ names, including Buffalo Bill Cody, an important part of the history
of the postal service in the American West.
In 1994 the building was renamed for Ft. Collins native, CU All-American and
valedictorian, Rhodes scholar, NFL player and Kennedy-appointed Supreme Court
Associate Justice Byron “Whizzer” White.
GSA’s Fine Arts Collection is one of our nation’s oldest and largest public art collections.
It consists of permanently installed and moveable mural paintings, sculpture,
architectural or environmental works of art, and works on paper dating from 1850 to the
present. These civic works of art are in federal buildings and courthouses across the
United States. Maintained by GSA as a part of our national and cultural heritage, the
Fine Arts Collection serves as a reminder of the important tradition of individual creative
expression. Throughout history architectural works are often perceived as cultural and
political symbols as well as works of art.