Denver Oddities: Because you want something to tell people who are thinking of coming here, other than, "there's legal pot".

Do I wish Denver was quirky enough to be cool like Austin or Miami? Yes, yes I do. But alas, Denver may not have enough cultural kitsch to merit it's #7 status on Forbe's list of Americas10 coolest cities, even though Gary Sweeny gave it his best shot with his nostalgic art. I wish I could put things here like Flossy McGrews, but it's gone the way of The Organ Grinder (look it up). So, this entry is an attempt in that direction, even though many of Denver's cool places are becoming a thing of the past. Any additions to the list are welcome.

I think El Mesteno at the airport wins the prize for Denver Kitsch, but next in line, in my humble opinion, is Lakeside Amusement Park. I do love this place and hope it never changes.
 
I just recently learned about this "famous TV person walk of fame" that can be found in front of the Rocky Mountain PBS building on 11th avenue. It has some hand prints and signatures of celebs from the 1950s and '60s such as Bill Bixby and Jackie Coogan.


You can really impress visitors to Denver by getting them high and visiting The Cell- Counter Terrorism Lab on 11th avenue downtown, after you've viewed the TV walk of fame.  This is an especially good time for followers of Alex Jones.
  http://www.thecell.org/ 
 
This guy has been on Federal for 50 years. He was supposed to be the entrance to an amusement park that never got built.
Unfortunately, this amusement park did get built and sets Denver apart as one of the only U.S. cities with a roller coaster at it's center other than Orlando.


You'll notice that Denver is so proud of it's amusement park that if you Google image-search Denver skyline, all the images of it have the park cropped out.



Since 1977, Colorado has been home to one of the largest Mustang salvage yards. Screaming "wow", this graveyard of car bones boasts over 2,000 skeletons of Mustang dating back to 1964 and can be found off of east Colfax in Aurora. I think this needs to be a concert venue Mark McCoin. Oh yeah, you moved to Texas.


I can't mention the other horse that Denver is known for because it arouses a gag response (okay, so I am a snob), but I think it's safe to say that Denver is odd when it comes to mixing art and sport, to which this photo will attest


Denver does have Colfax Ave, which I heard is the longest commercial strip in the country. And it still has some good neon which Colorado Preservation is trying to keep from demolition. This link has a great video about it Colfax Neon. This is a picture of Colfax in the '70s.

This sign enjoys preservation status. They had to change it from Bugs Bunny to Bigs Bunny after being threatened with a lawsuit by Warner Brothers. Yikes.


PS Lounge and the Lions Lair deserve a shout out - both on Colfax - may they live forever.

 


I'm not sure this qualifies as kitsch, but it is a Denver oddity.;The sound walk between 15th and 6th on Curtis (north side). Sounds such as a subway, gurgling water, farm animals, singers, etc will rumble up through about 6 grates. It plays 40 to 100 different sounds per hour. Credit goes to artist Jim Green. Most people walk over it unawares because traffic on Curtis drowns it out.








In my neck of the woods is Rock-a-billies, which oozes '50's period fun, including every rock-a-Billie band on offer.

Denver's Modernism Show is up there with the Denver County Fair in it's attempt to reflect some deep culture in this cowboy town. Plenty of amazing things along with things gaudy and glaring can be found at both events.










El Chapultepec is still holding court to a mix of jazz and blues, but it is quickly getting swallowed up by sports bars.


The Buckhorn Exchange exudes Denver's charisma as does the Buffalo Rose, both institutions that deserve western kitsch status in my opinion.

Handprints and signatures from the 1960s and '70s fill the sidewalk around a former TV station. Look, it's Jackie Coogan (Uncle Fester) from The Addams Family! And Bill Bixby from The Courtship of Eddie's Father! Currently threatened with demolition. - See more at: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/51230#sthash.kKFy7Bqw.dpuf

Handprints and signatures from the 1960s and '70s fill the sidewalk around a former TV station. Look, it's Jackie Coogan (Uncle Fester) from The Addams Family! And Bill Bixby from The Courtship of Eddie's Father! Currently threatened with demolition. - See more at: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/51230#sthash.kKFy7Bqw.dpuf

Handprints and signatures from the 1960s and '70s fill the sidewalk around a former TV station. Look, it's Jackie Coogan (Uncle Fester) from The Addams Family! And Bill Bixby from The Courtship of Eddie's Father! Currently threatened with demolition. - See more at: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/51230#sthash.kKFy7Bqw.dpuf