Hi downtown,
As we get further into summer, I want to take a moment to reflect on how much I’ve learned about downtown Boulder’s history in my time as the DBP marketing and communications intern. What has stood out to me is the rich history of local businesses and the character of downtown. While downtown is constantly evolving, there are a handful of local gems that have helped hold the charm of downtown for HALF A CENTURY! Follow along as I take you on a stroll down downtown’s memory lane, exploring some of our OG businesses.
To experience the full history of downtown Boulder, start your journey at the Hotel Boulderado. This historic landmark has been around since 1909, welcoming guests for over 115 years! Did you know that Helen Keller was one of the early guests to have stayed at the Hotel Boulderado? When the Boulderado opened its doors in 1909, the City of Boulder was dry, having outlawed the sale of alcohol within city limits in 1907. In 1969, one of the first legal licenses to serve hard liquor in a restaurant was issued to Catecombs–the bar in the basement! Today, License No. 1 continues with the very liquor license first issued in 1969. Make sure to check out the basement of the Boulderado when you visit!
Don’t miss the Boulder Theater, a long-lasting place for entertainment since 1936, where people have enjoyed operas, live music, and silent films. Speaking of entertainment, did you know that the Museum of Boulder has been a part of the downtown community since the 1940s? In 1945, Boulder voters approved a plan to create a local history museum as part of a new municipal building downtown. However, post–World War II construction costs delayed those plans, and the museum was relocated to the second floor of a downtown school building where it remained until 1957. In the years following, the museum changed locations a few times; in 1985, it moved to its prior location, the historic Harbeck House, on University Hill, and today, the Museum of Boulder can be found at 2205 Broadway in the former Masonic Lodge building just north of the Pearl Street Mall. Here, it displays the city’s rich past through fascinating exhibits and artifacts, and present accomplishments that will be history tomorrow. As a history buff, I think it's worth checking out!
I also encourage you to stop by the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. Since its establishment in 1972, not only has this art center offered contemporary art exhibits, but it also provides an interactive way for the community to get involved through events such as art camps and studio projects.
If you’re anything like me, it's impossible to walk the mall without popping into a few stores to see what's new. So, it was fascinating to learn what stores have been scattered all along the mall for decades: Starting with the oldest shops, local family-owned, four-generational Hurdle’s Jewelry is the true OG jewelry store on Pearl Street, opening their doors in 1947. The Pedestrian Shops has been around since 1969, originating from founder Richard Polk selling shoes out of the back of his pick-up truck. Opening their doors a few years later, Art Source International appeared in 1972, Goodrich Violin Shop, and the Boulder Bookstore in 1973 (four years before the official dedication of the Pearl Street Mall). Downtown is full of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, but, amazingly, License No. 1 (formerly the Catacombs) in the basement of the Hotel Boulderado has been the only beloved local restaurant and bar to last for over 50 years since opening in 1969!
I know this has been a long blog, but I hope you found this little history lesson as interesting as I did. These businesses are not only survivors of time, they're shapers of Boulder’s culture and community resilience. Next time you’re downtown, make sure to pop into some of our OG businesses and don’t forget to shop local!
Till next time,
Wylie
Tagged: Art, Bars, Boulder, Dining, East End, Shopping, Restaurants