Mid-Mod Architecture - Citywide Banks Building

We've looked at a lot of the mid-mod architecture in the downtown Littleton area, but there are other great examples of this unique architecture all around the Denver area. It makes sense that we would find some great examples along Colfax Avenue. Traveling down Colfax is like taking a trip through time. The street is still home to many of the structures that would've welcomed travelers as they entered Denver from the east. If you're sailing down the road a bit too fast, though, you may miss the unusual-looking Citywide Banks building.

The tall pillars that decorate the front of the bank are definitely the most eye-catching aspect of the building. They look a bit like giant mushrooms. This theme is even continued in the design of the bank's tall sign that stands out by the road.

I certainly get some weird looks when I'm out and about taking pictures of random buildings. I don't think anyone would think it weird to pull over and nab a few snaps of this one, though. This isn't the sort of design you see every day.

The Citywide Banks building is located at 10660 E Colfax in Aurora.

Olde Town Arvada Water Tower

I love it when communities have an icon of some sort; something that is instantly recognizable as a symbol of the community. I suppose for Denver it could be the Colorado State Capital or the "cash register building." For Arvada, though, that symbol would have to be the water tower in Olde Town.

The water tower was built in 1910 to help support the water needs of the growing community. The tower stands 152 feet tall and holds 150,000 gallons of water. Of course, the tower has not held water for some time as it was decommissioned in 1977.

After being taken out of service, the water tower fell into disrepair. An ugly fence surrounded it and trash was often dumped at its base. However, in 1998 a restoration began. Today the tower stands proudly as a symbol of Olde Town Arvada.

The best way to get close to the water tower is to take the walking path that runs along the south side of the railroad tracks in Olde Town Arvada. It is appx one block west of Olde Wadsworth Blvd.

Mt Nebo Cemetery

Once again my explorations of the Denver area have brought me to a cemetery. I know some think it's creepy, but I enjoy taking pictures of cemeteries. On this particular day, I happened upon Mt Nebo Cemetery in Aurora and decided to stop in to take a look.

Mt Nebo is a Jewish cemetery located just a few blocks south of Colfax. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find much information on the history of the site. When you first enter it definitely feels like a newer cemetery. The memorials near the entrance are all nicely polished and sleek-looking. However, if you journey to the northwest corner of the grounds, you will find the older plots. It's not a far journey, as Mt. Nebo is not a very big cemetery.

Though it does not feature unique sculptures or mausoleums, it is a lovely place just a few blocks away from the busyness of one of the city's major roads. You'll find Mt Nebo at 11701 E 13th Ave in Aurora.

The Dream Tree

I've traveled to many places around our country, both large and small. There are some small towns where Walmart seems to be the hub of activity. I mean, when you don't have much in the way of museums, theaters, etc...I guess Walmart is the place to be. One thing I haven't seen at many Walmarts, though, is an art installation. The Wal-Mart in downtown Englewood, however, happens to be adjacent to the Museum of Outdoor Arts. So, ladies and gentlemen, I give you what may be the only Wal-Mart that is part of a museum.

The display called The Dream Tree is on the west side of the store. It was created by a local artist named Todd Siler. The artist says the piece is "a mosaic of motivational thought that inspires action." It certainly isn't what you'd find at the average Walmart, I'll give you that.

The piece is located a block or so away from the other displays the make up the Englewood campus of the Museum of Outdoor Arts. Next time you're checking out that museum, be sure to venture over and see it. Or, pop over to view it before you step inside to stock up on cat food or peruse the bin of six-dollar blu-rays. It's located at 601 Englewood Parkway in downtown Englewood.

Chamberlain Observatory

Typically, it is best to get away from the city to get a really good look at the stars in the night sky. That's why observatories tend to be located in more remote areas. However, there's also something to be said for having such facilities available to college students. That's why just a few blocks away from the University of Denver you will find Observatory Park. The park has open spaces, tennis courts and playgrounds...you know, typical park stuff. In its center, however, you will find the feature that gives the park its name...Chamberlain Observatory.

The observatory is owned and operated by the University of Denver and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1890, it was named for Humphrey B Chamberlain, a Denver real estate magnate who pledged $50,000 to build and equip the facility. The Romanesque structure was designed by Denver architect Robert S Roeschlaub and built from rusticated red sandstone blocks.

The Denver Astronomical Society hosts regular events at the observatory. When my kids were younger, we took in a few of these events where we got to look through the telescope in the rotunda, as well as other telescopes that were set up in outside of the building. Even if you don't get to actually do any stargazing, the building itself is a unique sight to see. The Chamberlain Observatory is found inside Observatory Park, 2930 East Warren Avenue in Denver.

Ghost Trolley

I grew up in the Chicago area, where trains are a big part of life. My father took the train into the city every day, and such was the case for many of my friends' parents, as well. When I came to Denver in the early 90's, however, trains were not a part of the public transportation system. That was soon to change, though, as the Light Rail came to town shortly after I did, and has been growing ever since. Denver does have a history with train transport, though, that goes back way before the 90's. Back in the late 1800's, trolleys took travelers across the city and surrounding area. That history is celebrated with a sculpture called Ghost Trolley.

The very slender sculpture sits in a unique location; in a median strip on Colfax in Aurora. Colfax is, of course, Denver's most notable thoroughfare, linking the city with Lakewood to the west and Aurora to the east. Trolleys were a regular fixture along Colfax until Denver's trolley system was taken out of service in the mid 1950's. This "ghost trolley" certainly lives up to its name.  When lit at night it does give off a bit of an eerie vibe.

The sculpture has been on display since 2007. You probably don't want to try and get too close to it. The median strip where it sits is not meant for pedestrians and cars zoom pretty fast down Colfax. You can view the piece safely from the sidewalk in front of Aurora's Martin Luther King Jr Library.