Hospitality and history are forever intertwined at the Hotel Denver, one of Glenwood Springs’ most venerable lodging establishments, which celebrates its 100th birthday on October 17. These days, the Hotel Denver, with its adjoining Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, is known for its cozy yet modern accommodations and as a convivial gathering place for dining and drinking. However, this wasn’t always the case as these fun Hotel Denver history facts reveal:
- The Hotel Denver is the combination of two Seventh Street properties, the Denver House which opened in 1905 and the Star Hotel which opened in 1915. In the early 1900s Seventh Street was Glenwood’s red light district, known for its abundance of bars and brothels.
- In 1916, the Star Hotel was only open one year before prohibition laws were passed which put a strain on business; the owners of both the Denver House and the Star Hotel took the opportunity to expand and improve their properties, adding modern amenities like telephones, elevators and toilets.
- During the 1930s, the notorious Chicago gangster Diamond Jack Alterie was a frequent guest at the Hotel Denver. During one visit, he shot a hotel porter though no one knows exactly what prompted him to do it. Alterie ultimately came to a violent end himself when he was forced to testify against Al Capone’s brother. He was shot to death shortly thereafter.
The Hotel Denver’s 100 year history is an indelible part of Glenwood Springs’ identity. Find out more about this historic occasion, as well as the Hotel Denver’s popular Room with a Brew lodging packages by visiting visitglenwood.com. Learn more about the hotel’s history on their website.
Click here to view a large version of this timeline.
