Setting and Names
Highland is a city-center neighborhood in Denver, positioned immediately northwest of downtown. Its boundaries are West 38th Avenue to the north, a Union Pacific Railroad line to the east, the South Platte River to the southeast, Speer Boulevard to the south, and Federal Boulevard to the west.
The name “the Highlands” is sometimes used for both Highland and West Highland, though they are separate neighborhoods. Highland may also be called East Highland, Lower Highland, or LoHi to distinguish it from West Highland. Both neighborhoods are within the area known as the Northside.
Early Townsite
William Larimer, Jr. originally claimed the Highland townsite in December 1858, after founding Denver City the previous month, but did not continue developing the claim. In 1859, the Highland town company was formed, and a bridge over the Platte River was planned to connect the area with Auraria and Denver. Surveyor Henry Allen helped establish the company.
Town and Annexation
In 1875, Owen LeFevre and other developers asked the Arapahoe County Commissioners to create a village government. After Potter Highland and Highland Park were annexed, the Town of Highlands was formed and later became a city in 1885.
Residents relied on Owen LeFevre’s artesian well for clean drinking water. Residents supported bonds for schools, a library, and other public improvements, but maintaining city services became difficult. In 1896, residents voted to allow Denver to annex the town.
Elitch Gardens Origins
John and Mary Elitch bought the 16-acre Chilcott Farm in 1887 at what would later be 38th Avenue and Tennyson. The farm had vegetables, fruit, and shade trees, and its produce was used at Elitch’s Palace Dining Room in downtown Denver.
On May 1, 1890, the Elitches opened the Zoological Gardens and Grand Pavilion Theatre, later known as Elitch Gardens. The amusement park was later moved to downtown Denver, while the Elitch Theatre remains at the original site and is among Denver’s oldest historic buildings.
Neighborhood Today
Highland and West Highland include large portions of zip codes 80211 and 80212 and together have a population of about 57,000 people. The Highland neighborhood association uses a slightly different definition of the neighborhood, with the eastern boundary stopping at I-25.
What it is like
Highland in Denver is bounded by West 38th Avenue, Federal Boulevard, Speer Boulevard and the South Platte River, and is home to more than 10,000 people. The area includes Highland Square, Tennyson Street and Lower Highland (LoHi), with Victorian-era homes and buildings, gardens, parks, independently owned shops, art galleries and restaurants. LoHi is characterized by old and ultra-modern architecture, innovative restaurants and bars, and views of the Highland Bridge and downtown Denver.
Homes and housing
Housing includes Foursquares, Mission Revival and Victorian styles built before the 1893 Silver Crash, plus later Prairie, Colonial Revival, Dutch Colonial Revival and Craftsman residences. The 276-acre Potter Highlands Historic District has nearly 700 buildings, with 571 contributing.
Sources: Highland, Denver (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA); visitdenver.com; historycolorado.org