The Big Red Tower in Highlands Ranch

Have you ever been driving around and spotted something that makes you say, "what is that?" Such was the case for me a few years ago when a large red structure went up in the downtown Highlands Ranch area. In the months that followed a hospital building went up nearby, and a park was developed around the structure. But still, what the heck is that big red thing!? Is it functional? Is it art? Well, the answer is a little of both.

The tower, which stands in the center of Central Park in Highlands Ranch, is functional. It's a radio communications tower. Highlands Ranch sits at the top edge of Douglas County, which stretches way down south another 30 miles. Much of the county is quite rural and it was determined that there were many "dead zones" when it came to radio signals. This was, obviously, a bit of a concern for emergency services. 

It was determined that the best spot for the tower was on the very spot which it now stands. The 150-foot tower was completed in August of 2017. It improves public-safety radio coverage around Highlands Ranch by 325%.

Lucky for us, the powers that be decided to be a bit creative with the structure. Rather than just having one spire, the tower has three points in a unique arrangement. It is painted International Orange, that's the same color as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. So, in other words, it's red.

It's certainly a unique landmark in Highlands Ranch. Plus, it's just a short walk away from where the Highlands Ranch Gorillas stand guard. You can find the tower in Central Park, 1365 Park Central Dr in Highlands Ranch.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial - City Park

I admit, It probably would've been more appropriate for me to time this post with the Martin Luther King Jr holiday last week. Hey, better late than never, and besides, it's not like celebrating Dr. King is only allowed one day a year. When that mood strikes you to recognize the man, Denver's City Park has an impressive memorial perfect for times of reflection.

The bronze statue by artist Ed Dwight was installed in 2002, replacing another King monument that moved south to Pueblo. The statue of King stands on a tiered pedestal. Statues of four other individuals surround him. These include Frederick Douglas, Rosa Parks, Mohandas Gandhi, and Sojourner Truth.

Surrounding the pedestal on four sides are a series of tablets that detail the struggle of African Americans, key events in King's lights, and several of King's quotes.

The memorial is located in the southern part of the park, just a short jog northeast of the State of Colorado Fountain I detailed in a previous post. City Park is located at 2001 Colorado Blvd in Denver.

Littleton Blvd, Between Greenwood St and Hickory St, Mid-century Modern Architecture

It's been a little while since we looked at some of the mid-mod architecture on Littleton Boulevard. More recent posts have moved us further west, toward downtown Littleton. However, today we're going to venture back a few blocks east to a section of the road between Greenwood and Hickory Streets.

Our first stop is the Nickels-Hill Chapel of Peace designed by Raymond Heyl in 1958. Today it is known as the Drinkwine Family Mortuary. This is an intriguing building, featuring stone walls and dramatic glass windows. Yet, the location still has a peaceful, park-like feel. 

It's interesting to see photos from when this building was new, and the trees were much smaller. Today, however, the greenery seems to envelop the building. You can find this building at 999 W Littleton Blvd.

Across the street and down the block are two more interesting buildings, that I, unfortunately, don't have any background information on. The first building is located at 1060 W Littleton Blvd. It's large windows and unique slanted roof definitely draw the eye. Today the building houses a non-profit organization the assists adults with special needs.

Right next door is a small strip mall that also has unique mid-mod features. Like its next-door neighbor, this building also has a unique angled roof. Today the building houses two offices, including a medical dispensary. We are in Colorado, after all.

I find the brickwork on the west wall of the building to be quite interesting, as well. This building is located at 1080 W Littleton Blvd.

Sullivan Gateway

Though located a block south of Denver's City Park, the Sullivan Gateway serves as the entryway to one of the city's most beloved recreational areas. It sits on Colfax Ave and leads to the City Park Esplanade, which runs past East High School to the park. After years of deterioration due to the elements and vandalism, the gateway is once again an impressive sight in the middle of the city. 

The gateway was built in 1917. It features two curved terra cotta walls, each with 40-foot tall Doric columns featuring a sculpture atop.  The sculptures represent Colorado's history of mining and agriculture. A fountain is also a part of the gateway. The gateway is named for Dennis Sullivan, a Denver pioneer who made his fortune in the mining industry.

Due to it being located adjacent to East High School, the gateway is a popular hangout for students. In other words, it's seen a lot of hard use over the years. Thankfully, efforts in recent years have helped restore this majestic entryway to its previous glory.

Unfortunately, many visitors to City Park may miss the Sullivan Gateway, as it is slightly separated from the rest of the park. Be sure to see it for yourself at 2551 E Colfax in Denver, right next to East High School.

Downtown Littleton - Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Littleton Boulevard is the main drag through downtown Littleton, and the hot spot for finding examples of mid-century modern architecture in the area. However, there are also a few great examples if you wander a few blocks to the north or south.

At the corner of Powers Avenue and Prince Street you will find the building that originally housed the Circle Savings and Loan. This brick structure is unique for its curved features and for the fact that it sits diagonally on the lot, facing the corner. The southwest side of the building also features a sunken garden. The structure was built in 1970 and designed by Laramey and Butts. The building currently houses an accounting office. You'll find it at 5583 S Prince St in Littleton.

Head south on Prince Street a few blocks and you'll find the Littleton National Bank building, which is now a Chase Bank location. Designed by Barker Rinker Seacat, it is one of downtown Littleton's most imposing structures. The hooded windows are one of the most notable features of the building. The impressive structure stands tall at 5734 S Prince St, on the corner or Prince and Alamo.

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.