Historic Englewood Post Office and Mural

Probably most folks wouldn't consider a post office to be a destination when visiting a place. However, if you are someone interested in history, you might want to stop by for a quick look at the historic post office in Englewood. It's not like going to an amusement park or something...but there are a few interesting things to see.

The post office was built in 1938 as a New Deal construction project. Up until then, Englewood's mail came through Denver, but the suburb was growing rapidly and in need of its own services. It was the first federal building constructed in Englewood. A big groundbreaking event took place in 1937, complete with speeches and a performance by the Englewood High School Marching Band.

Beyond the classic architecture of the building itself, the most unique feature of the post office is the mural in the lobby. Once upon a time, many post offices had murals but they are tough to find now. Very few still exist, and even fewer exist in their original locations. 

The mural was created by Boardman Robinson, who is considered by many to be the founder of the American mural movement. This is his only post office mural and one of only three of his murals that still reside in their original locations. The mural is called Colorado Stock Sale. It was completed in 1940 and is actually based on the artist's second idea for the piece. The sketches submitted for the first were deemed too "frivolous."

The US Postal Service decided to close the Englewood post office in 2010, but the outcry from the community caused a quick change of plans. Eventually, the building ended up on the National Registry of Historic places.

This historic structure, and its historic mural, are located at 3330 S Broadway in downtown Englewood.

Giant Mushrooms

I love finding strange and unusual things around the city of Denver. Strange and unusual definitely describes the giant mushrooms that can be found in Englewood's Romans Park. The park was named for E.P. "Packy" Romans, who served as Englewood's director of parks and recreation from 1948 to 1966. It contains playground equipment and tennis courts...you know, the sort of things you find in many parks. What you don't find in many parks is huge fake mushrooms!

The six mushrooms appear to be just creative park benches. They were painted solid concrete gray until just a few years ago when they were painted with several unique themes. In fact, one of the images on Google Street View appears to show one of the mushrooms being prepped for its makeover. Now the mushrooms sport images of flying saucers, sea creatures, and one is even made to look like a giant turtle.

Of course, the mushrooms aren't the only thing to see in the park. The playground featuring giant leaves and bugs that the kids can climb on was refurbished in recent years, as well.

Romans Park is located at 1849 E Floyd Ave in Englewood, just a few blocks west of University.

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.

Virere

Nobody likes weeds. Pulling them is my least favorite aspect of lawn care. Keeping a healthy-looking green lawn is challenging enough in Colorado's climate without having to worry about weeds. What drives me nuts, even more, are those annoying weeds that pop up in the cracks of the sidewalk, or in the median strips of our neighborhood streets. So, it's a bit strange that we have a piece of art in Englewood which seems to depict greenery growing in a spot where it shouldn't.

Virere is a piece by Lawrence Argent that sits in the median strip just south of the intersection of Broadway and Yale. Argent is best known here in the Denver area as the creator of the piece at the Colorado Convention Center called I See What You Mean, also known by locals as the "Big Blue Bear." This piece marks the northern border of Englewood. Once you've passed the big blades of grass, you're in Denver. The name of the piece means green in Latin.

I may not like grass that grows in the cracks of the road, but I can appreciate this unusual piece of art. It's a fun landmark to designate where you are along South Broadway. You can visit this piece yourself at the intersection of Broadway and Yale in Englewood. Just be careful crossing the street if you plan on getting close. The traffic moves fast on Broadway.

Museum of Outdoor Arts - Down Englewood Parkway

A few posts back we took a look at some of the pieces that adorn the courtyard at Englewood City Center as a part of the Museum of Outdoor Arts. Well, there's actually much more to see if you head east down Englewood Parkway from the courtyard. Let's take a look.

Marzocco Lions

Three Gossips by Harry Marinsky

Stargazer by Madeline Wiener

Marble on my Mind by Madelin Wiener

Porcellino
Note: A duplicate of this statue can be found in front of one of the office buildings at the museum's display in Greenwood Village.

Twin Dragon Mural

Many businesses around the Denver area have made their exterior walls available to artists for murals. A lot of these murals are left up to the imagination of the artists, but occasionally they do relate to the business that serves as the canvas. Such is the case with this piece on South Broadway (SoBo).

On the north side of the Twin Dragon restaurant in Englewood, you will find this unique mural featuring, you guessed it, twin dragons! Find the mural at 3021 S Broadway in Englewood. I hear the food's pretty tasty, too!

The Belleview Park "Airplane"

Englewood's Belleview Park is a spacious park containing ballfields, playgrounds, a train ride, and the Pirate's Cove Water Park. But for many the most memorable feature of the park is the park's "airplane" that is easy for folks to spot as they drive down Belleview.

It's actually not an airplane, rather a Mace Tactical Missile. It was donated to the city of Englewood in the 60's by the Martin Company to be used as playground equipment. Lockheed Martin has been a fixture of the south Denver suburbs for a long time, with their large facility south of Chatfield State Park.

I have heard stories from folks who remember the days when the "airplane" was at ground level and kids were welcome to climb all over it. Thing is, those stories usually involved reports of burned skin, as the metal surface tended to get quite hot in the Colorado sun. The Mace Missile now perches atop two large poles. 

You can visit the "airplane" yourself at Belleview Park, 5001 S Inca Dr in Englewood.

Museum of Outdoor Arts - Englewood Station

We've taken a look at the Museum of Outdoor Arts in some previous posts, but there's a lot more of this museum to experience. It exists in several different locations around the Denver area, and, despite its name, it does include some indoor galleries. Though, with the world being what it is right now, the indoor portions of the museum are currently closed. However, a visit to the museum's downtown Englewood location still gives you the opportunity to see many interesting pieces that are out in the open. Here's a look at a few of the pieces you can experience.

Resistance by Leslie Temple

I'm afraid I don't have the title or artist of this piece, but we'll just call it what I'm sure most kids call it...Giant Watermelons.

Bagatelle by Barbara Baer

Duo by Lin Emery. This sculpture changes its look every few seconds as it moves with the wind.

Bathroon People by Andy Miller

Mujer Del Lago by Tom Ware

Brooklyn Bridge by Red Grooms

Two Open Treapezoids: Excentric V by George Rickey

Horizon by Amy Laugesen

These pieces can all be viewed in the courtyard of the Museum of Outdoor Arts at 1000 Englewood Parkway in Englewood.

Moo

I'm often fascinated by outdoor art displays.  I think they add a lot of character to a community.  So, as I document my adventures around the Denver area, don't be surprised if I occasionally post pictures of some of the art I encounter.  And what better way to begin than with a random cow tucked away on a side street in downtown Englewood.  I don't know the title of this piece, but you'll find her on Girard Ave between Broadway and Acoma St.

The "Spaceship" Bank

I spent a little time out and about today and ended up in downtown Englewood. One of the most recognizable structures in Englewood is the Community Bank of Colorado.  Many people call this unique building the "spaceship" bank.  I've also heard the word "egg" floated around when describing its look.

Built in 1967, the building was designed by architect Charles Deaton.  Another well known Deaton design here in Colorado is what many call the Sleeper House.  It's a futuristic home visible from I-70 as you head into the mountains west of Denver that was used in Woody Allen's 1973 film Sleeper.

Earlier this year the Egg or Spaceship, whatever you want to call it, underwent some renovations.  The outside of the building was looking pretty unsightly for a while, but today it's weirdness is looking nice and clean.  Not too shabby for 53 years old.

You can find this unusual architectural wonder at 3501 S Broadway in Englewood, CO...right where Broadway meets US 285.