To spot the Brown Palace Hotel, look for a massive, wedge-shaped building made of red sandstone and granite rising proudly at the corner where 17th Street, Broadway, and Tremont Place meet. It’s got grand arched windows, rows of tall stone pillars, and green awnings along the sidewalk welcoming guests below. The main entrance faces Tremont Place, right under those awnings. With its curved, triangular corner, you almost can’t miss it-even the skyscrapers around it can’t quite overshadow this grand old hotel.
Now, as you stand here, let’s imagine the scene back in 1892: the sounds of carriages clattering up in front, gentlemen tipping their hats, and the glitter of electric lights-quite the show for a cowtown on the rise! The Brown Palace Hotel isn’t just a hotel; it’s Denver’s memory palace. This place has been pampering guests for over 130 years, making it the second-longest operating hotel in the city. The original owner, Henry C. Brown, must have thought, “Why not stake my name on the fanciest spot in Denver?” And architect Frank Edbrooke answered with this stately, fireproof wonder-one of the tallest buildings in town back then, and among the first in America to have an indoor atrium. Imagine looking up inside and seeing all those balconies wrapped around the open, sunlit space.
But it’s not all velvet and chandeliers-this hotel has some spicy stories! In 1911, there was a real Wild West showdown where tempers flared and pistols blazed at the Marble Bar (let’s just say romance wasn’t the only thing in the air). And when prohibition ended, it was party time-Denver’s own “Ship Tavern” still stands here, with tales and songs bouncing off the walls.
Famous guests? Oh, just local legend Molly Brown, who checked in right after surviving the Titanic, a handful of U.S. presidents, Dr. Sun Yat Sen before he led China, movie stars, and rock legends like The Beatles. Even John Wayne strolled these halls-though hopefully no horses indoors!
So, take a look up at the intricate stonework and imagine Denver’s high society sweeping through those doors in ballgowns and tuxedos. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll spot a ghost or two still mingling in the marble halls. And if you’re feeling brave, step inside and see what secrets the Brown Palace wants to whisper to you today.
Interested in a deeper dive into the annex, past guests or the murders of 1911? Join me in the chat section for an insightful conversation.
