The National tribune., 1882-07-01
QUEEN CITY OF THE PLAINS.
What it Was and What it is-Scenc Surrounding
and Substantial Attractions.

"
What it Was and What it iS-Scenic Surroundings
and Substantial Attractions.
In view of the fact that Denver, Colorado, has
been selected as the place for holding the next
National Encampment of the Grand Army the
following sketch of the beautiful Queen City
Of the Plains" and its attractive surroundings
will be found of special interest at this time.
1t is from the graceful pen of special cor
respondent of the Baltimore Sun, who, writing
under date of June 10, says
The first view Of this "The Queen City of
the Plains" as its Inhabitants proudly term it,
is delightful to the eye of the traveller wcaried
with gazing at the long level stretches of plain
which he has just traversed and longing for
something to break the monotony of the scene,
and when the beautiful city bursts upon his
astonished vision, with its elegant buildings,
its broad streets, it handsome shade trees just
at this season clad their freshest green, he
is ready to deem it the work of enchantment
and to fear that it may disappear before his
eyes. On arriving however, at the cOmmo-
dious and elegant depot he will be convinced
that it is solid reality, not likely to vanish on
nearer inspection.
When the pioneer gold-hunters first began
put in an appearance a barren plain alone
was visible where now arc handsome avenues,
beautiful dwellings, and thronged and busy
marts of trade. Street cars go to and fro, and
the electric light throws its radiance far and
near. The city is situated at the junction of
Cherry Creek with Platte River, and is built
on ground slOping slightly towards the noun
tains, which rise in all their grandeur along
the entire western horizon, the "Snowy
Range" and the foothills for distance of $50
miles forming a landscape of which the eye
can never grow weary. The pioneers of 1889,
who came hither in pursuit of gold founded
the city of Denver, then a collection of log
huts and now the best built city between st.
Louis and San Francisco
The population, which in 1870 amounted to
oaly 4,759, had in nine. years increased to
$4,000, and now numbers between $4,000 and
10000. OF course the floating population is
large, as eight railroads centre here, ana in the
summer months Eastern tourists, en- route to
the mountains, pass through in great numbers.
This season, it is expected, the number Will he
largely increased as grand mining exposition
is to be held here. in August in buildings which
are being erected for the purpose.
The hotels are handsome and well kept,
especially the Windsor, which would do honor
to any Eastern city. There are also fine
churches of all denominations, notably the
Central Presbyterian, the Congregational, (who
form a strong body in the Vest and st. Johns
episcopal Cathedral, where Dean Hart, an
eloquent English divine ofiiciates, and where
Eli
able manner by band of white-rObed choris-
terS. There are number of daily newspapers
and two wceklies, the prominent daily papers
being the Rocky Mountain NcUs and the Denver
Tribune. The former printed its first issue April
23, 1859.
The schools of Denver are celebrated, and
would require a separate article to describe
them fully. The public schools are held in as
handsome or perhaps handsomer buildings
than any in the country and it is greatly to
the credit of the people that money.making
and education keep pace with each other;
hence, with increasing wealth increasing cul-
ture will be the result, and love for the fine
arts will be the rule and not the exception.
Indeed, even now the people as q whole may
be considered more generally cultivated than
in many eastern cities of the same size.
Artists abound, as the magnificent scenery Of
the surrounding country attracts them hither,
and the study of music is receiving great atten-
ton. The Grand Opera House, built by Gov
ornor Tabor, and finished during the past year,
IS boon to the people in this direction, as it
yill be the means of bringing within their
reach the best musicians i'll the country.
One of the unique features of the city are the
rrigating bitches, which run on each side of
he streets and along which are planted the
cottonwood trees, whose grateful shade is
necessary during the blazing heats of July and
August. The bitches are used to water the
pretty lawns which surround nearly every
louse, rs also for agricultural purposes on the
ldiacent farms and market gardens. as the
alntall in this locality is insufficient, and
although there has been an unusual quantity
If rain this season evaporation during the !
warm weather is great. Water for drinking is !
applied by the Holly Waterworks from Lake |
Archer, outside the city, and is of course con-
eyed into the dwellings by pipes. In the !
uburbs the old fashioned well is in use. Living |
S perhaps from ten to fifteen per cent. higher |
han in the East, and servants wages nearly |
vice as high. The latter is a serious dis
omfort to newcomers, but in time one
becomes accustomed to self-help, and Chinese
washmen" are easy to be found. The climate
5 too well known to need description, as the |
lumber of reconstructed invalids residing
lere can testify, but there are some disagree
bes to encounter, one of them being the
and storms, which come up suddenly, driving
before them and giving house
,eepers much trouble in getting rid of the
lust which sits through windows and doors.
Taking it altogether, however, Denver is q
,leasant place to live in, and those who come
lere need fear no want of the comforts and
uxrIries of eastern life. There is also a youth
ul dash and spirit rs well as a refined solidity
n its aspect and surroundings which speaks
veil for the future Of this the brilliant capital
f the New West.