The National Western Stock Show

Ever since the National Western Stock Show was officially established in 1906, Globeville enjoyed the trickle-down economic bounty from the event. During its ten-day run, the Stock Show was a source of jobs and a boon to local taverns, restaurants, hotels and merchants. School children enjoyed a day away from the classroom to see farm animals, mutton busting, horse shows and numerous rodeos.

Ad from January 1927 issue of the Denver Catholic Register

In 1960, the nearby meatpacking industry was Globeville’s and the city’s largest employer. But the decade that followed saw mergers and acquisitions that resulted in a loss of jobs. Soon feedlot operators built out-of-town facilities to slaughter and process meat, shipping directly to stores and bypassing the packing plants. The change affected the “Big Four:” Swift shut down in April 1966 and Armour in 1968. Cudahy continued to operate until it was acquired by Bar-S in 1981, and Wilson limped along until closing in 1981. The stock pens were deserted and the Stock Show Complex began to deteriorate.

Empty stock pens in the 1980s.

Every January, the National Western Stock Show continued to generate excitement and revenue. But for the rest of the year, the run-down complex struggled to stay relevant, hosting tattoo conventions, model trains exhibits and bridal shows. Meanwhile, in 2011, the city of Aurora offered tax incentives to relocate the Stock Show as part of the Gaylord Hotel complex. Thankfully, in 2015, Denver voters approved 2C. 

                  John Zapien, member of the Citizens Advisory Committee

The measure extended a 1.75 percent tax on hotel rooms and rental cars in Denver, generating $622 million for the project. CSU pledged another $250 million to construct facilities for education, and the Stock Show donated 75 acres of land and $50 million in cash.

Longtime Globeville resident John Zapien once worked as a “lugger” for Wilson, lugging lamb off a hook and onto a truck. Zapien has also represented the community’s interests for decades. Now a member of the National Western Citizens Advisory Committee, he is the only community member who gets a vote on the authority’s board. He and other residents look forward to the jobs that construction and new facilities will bring and the CSU educational opportunities for children.

“Who would have thought we’d have a college campus right where the stockyard was? They’re not just dealing with animals, but information and water, which is terribly crucial. I see this as a wonderful opportunity for young people,” Zapien said. “I think one of the biggest bridges is the food on the table. Whether you live in Globeville or Elyria or Swansea or Burlington or Clifton or Palisade or Rifle, there are some real similarities that we can work on together in the future with our rural neighbors. They’re the same as we are, they just live out of town.”

The Lone Wolf

When I was a youngster, my mother would often visit friends and relatives in Globeville. If she took us with her, we were instructed to be on our best behavior and remain quiet unless we were spoken to. We would be introduced, and our hosts would remark on how cute we were, or how we resembled my mom or my grandparents. We would then be offered a cookie and given a magazine to keep us entertained while the grown-ups talked.

While we sat quietly we had plenty of time to observe our surroundings. There were lace tablecloths and doilies, embroidered towels and table runners and frequently, ashtrays. There were photos of relatives in the Old Country and snapshots of family here. 

In many of these homes, a framed print of a painting called "The Lone Wolf" hung in the living room. (My grandmother, her sister and several aunts and uncles also had this print).

The painting depicts a solitary wolf standing on a hill overlooking a small village below. It's nighttime and cold. I imagined the villagers huddled inside to stay warm and safe. They have been warned about wolves. I also felt sorry for the wolf. He keeps a lonely vigil with no other members of his pack. A sad and scary subject for a wall hanging.

The painting certainly would have resonated with Germans from Russia, whose colonies along the Volga were surrounded by danger: isolation, a harsh climate and being increasingly unwelcome strangers in a strange land.

When I began interviewing Globeville residents in the 1990s, there was "The Lone Wolf" again. In Sarah Wolf's house, and her sister-in-law Pauline's home. My uncle still had one above the sofa. Now, I found the image comforting, even reassuring.

The Lone Wolf (c. 1890) is perhaps the most famous painting — and most widely reproduced — of Alfred Von Wierusz-Kowalski, a Polish painter.

Working in a detailed realistic style, many of Von Wierusz-Kowalski’s canvases feature scenes of travel, sporting, and hunting during wintertime, with horses, riders, and carriages featured as popular motifs. 

Perhaps some of Globeville's early settlers were familiar with Wierusz-Kowalski's work. Perhaps it was an affordable piece of art and held meaning for immigrants. My cousins now have the paintings, and I enjoy the warm memories it brings.

Centennial Celebration of Holy Rosary Church

For the last several years, Holy Rosary Church has been planning a celebration of its 100 years in Globeville. There would be choirs singing in English, Spanish and Slovenian, a procession of the bible study, prayer, nocturnal adoration groups and Cursillos. Flowers would grace both the main and side altars. Afterward, there would be a reception with the ethnic foods of all the nationalities that call Holy Rosary home. We imagined Joe Sadar playing Slovenian and Croatian tunes on the accordion, and entertainment from the ballet folklorico mexico alegre. Photos, artifacts, and documents would describe the continuing story of the parish.

All our plans came to a halt in March 2020 with the arrival of the world wide epidemic. The virus threatened the flesh and bones of our parish as much as it did any human body. Many parishioners lost their jobs and contributions to Holy Rosary dropped. Just when it was needed most, the consolation of the group prayer and companionship was halted. Gradually some bright spots appeared.

At great sacrifice, Ana Galván de Tiscareño, livestreamed our Masses each day. Links to the Archdiocese on-line giving platform provided a financial life line. Parishioners reached out to each other through phone calls, cards and ZOOM meetings. The virus subsided enough for Archbishop Aquila to schedule our celebration on October 25, at 10:00 am. (Continuing restrictions dictated a limited number of attendees and names were drawn from those who submitted them - 150 in all).

Hymns were sung in English, Spanish and Slovenian, and a generous benefactor saw that masses of flowers adorned the altars. The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Aquila, Father Frank Garcia and former pastor, Father Felix Zemeño Martín. The ceremony was lovely and can be viewed on the Archdenstreaming site

As Covid returns, the parish will again have to limit attendance. Parishioners talk wistfully about next year and remember this bright spot in a very dark year. 

 

From the Perko family - Three Persons - One God 

 

 

 

 

Father Frank Garcia,  Archbishop Aquila,
altar servers and Father Felix Zermeño Martín

 

 

Flor Santizo - a beautiful resonant voice

 

Politics in Globeville

There was a time before a 24-hour news cycle, big money donors, PAC money and non-stop television ads. Democrats appealed to Globeville’s blue collar voters with slogans like "Be Boss, Vote Democratic" and a prominent display of the Union Label on all printed material. Republicans touted fiscal responsibility and state control over water and land policies. Competition was cordial and after elections were over, rivals worked together to get things accomplished. Until the 1980s, Denver was a mid-sized town and politicians kept in touch with voters in District 9 by being present in the neighborhood. It was not unusual for city officials to attend a parish festival or lodge celebration in the neighborhood.  

In 1963, Mayor Tom Currigan, Councilman Bob Keating (District 1) and Councilman Joe Ciancio, Jr. (District 9) were guests of honor at the 55th Anniversary Convention of the Western Slavonic Association.
The politicians who attended the Globeville Civic Association’s Christmas potluck dinner in 1976 included Democratic Congresswoman Pat Schroeder, State Senator Dennis Gallagher, and Denver’s Manager of Parks and Recreation, Joe Ciancio.
Perhaps the money spent on today’s television ads could be used for better things and those running for office could devote more time to meeting with their constituents in the community.

 

Left to Right, John Yelenick, Republican Governor Ralph Carr,
Mrs. Koprivic and Democratic State Representative Don Oliver
enjoy a meal at the Peacock Inn

 

Ad in the 1968 Western Slavonic convention booklet
 

 

 

The Virus, the Holy Rosary Centennial and a Lottery

As early as 2017, parishioners began planning for the Holy Rosary Centennial, hoping to recreate the excitement of the dedication ceremony that was held July 4, 2020. There would be bilingual Mass with choirs singing in Slovenian, English and Spanish, with a reception afterward. A printed history of the parish would be available as well as a pictorial display. Perhaps there would be accordion music by Joann Birsa, and entertainment by Baile Foklorico Mexico Alegre and Krakowiacy Polish Dancers. But events during this most unusual year has meant a different kind of commemoration.

The most important part of the Centennial will be the bilingual Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Aquila on Sunday, October 25th at 10:00 am. However, in compliance with Covid19 guidelines, we will be limited to 25% of our seating capacity for the Mass. The only equitable manner to resolve who gets to physically attend the Mass will be decided by lot. All others will have to watch a live stream of the Mass.

To have a chance of attending the Mass in person, you must attend Mass on either Sunday, October 4 or Sunday, October 11 and place your name and the number of persons in your family who would like to attend on a card available at the entrance to the church. These will be placed in a basket and names will be drawn and published in the October 18 bulletin. Only those whose names are published in the October 18 bulletin will be allowed to physically attend the Mass on October 25th. 

 

Centenario del Santo Rosario. El Santo Sacrificio de la Misa por el Centenario del Santo Rosario será celebrado por el Arzobispo Aquila el domingo 25 de octubre a las 10:00 am. Será una Misa bilingüe. Estaremos limitados al 25% de nuestra capacidad de asientos para la Misa. La única manera equitativa de resolver quién puede asistir físicamente a la Misa se decidirá por sorteo. Todos los demás tendrán que ver una transmisión en vivo de la misa.

Para tener la oportunidad de asistir a la misa en persona, debe asistir a la misa el domingo 4 de octubre o el domingo 11 de octubre y colocar su nombre y el número de personas de su familia que deseen asistir en una tarjeta disponible en la entrada. a la Iglesia. Estos se colocarán en una canasta y los nombres se sortearán y publicarán en el boletín del 18 de octubre. Solo aquellos cuyos nombres se publiquen en el boletín podrán asistir físicamente a la Misa el 25 de octubre.

 

 

Ceremony rescheduled

Everything was in order. The commemorative programs had been printed, the souvenir badges and banners had been purchased. Several Slovenian lodges, and St. Jacob's Croatian Society, as well as the Knights of St. John, were expected. Pueblo's Preseren Glee Club had been invited to sing at the Mass, and Father Schiffrer from Rock Springs, Wyoming had been asked to assist at the ceremonies. The dedication of Holy Rosary Church had been months in the planning and was scheduled for Sunday, April 18, 1920.

But on Friday, April 16th, snow began to fall steadily across Colorado and continued all day Saturday and Sunday. Trains and streetcars were unable to run and Father Schiffrer couldn't get from his hotel to the church. The ceremony was rescheduled for July 4, 1920.

That Sunday, July 4, was a glorious day. As Bishop Tihen blessed the building, he praised the parishioners for their sacrifices and reminded them that poor people, rather than princes, built the great churches of Europe.

For 100 years, Holy Rosary parish has nourished the faith of its congregation and the Globeville neighborhood. A commemoration of this milestone was planned for Sunday July 12, 2020 with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Aquila at 10:00 am.

As plans for this centennial began, a different storm unexpectedly blew in. We hoped it would pass, as Colorado squalls do, and we could resume our activities. But much of this Coronavirus is unknown and,
in an effort to be cautious, the centennial celebration scheduled for July 12, 2020 has been tentatively rescheduled for sometime in October, 2020. 

To stay informed about Holy Rosary, check our website: http://www.holyrosarydenver.com
Or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HolyRosaryChurchDenver/

Pandemic in Globeville - Again

CHURCHES ALL SHUT THRU ENTIRE STATE DUE TO ‘FLU’

“There will he no public Catholic services of any type in Colorado next Sunday, due to the Spanish influenza epidemic. The state government, in order to protect the people, has placed a ban on every type of meetings, indoors or out, and has even prohibited socials and visiting in private houses.”

The October 17th issue of the Denver Catholic Register voiced the growing panic of Colorado’s citizens during the pandemic of 1918. Following the state’s regulations, Bishop Tihen closed all Catholic churches in the state and urged the faithful to pray.

“During this lonely exile, let us all say the prayers of the Mass at our homes, not forgetting spiritual Communion, and let us appreciate the value and wonderful treasures of the Rosary remembered in the month of October, and, above all, pray for the stricken
and for a speedy change in present conditions, the prevalence of the Spanish influenza.”

The predominant method of dealing with the disease was to quarantine those who had been exposed and to limit human contact. Just as people needed the support of others, houses of worship were shuttered, businesses closed, and families were expected to stay apart.

Today, employees can work from home, meetings can be held remotely and families can keep in touch through Facetime and Skype. Churches in Globeville have also adapted. 

Holy Rosary is livestreaming Masses through their Facebook page,
Holy Rosary Church, Denver

Our Lady of Grace is livestreaming Sunday Mass at 11:00 am on Father Felix's Facebook

Félix Zermeño-Martín

St.Joseph Polish Catholic Church  and Holy Transfiguration of Christ Orthodox Cathedral stream services from their Facebook pages.

To echo Bishop Tihen, this is a “lonely exile” and until we can hold hands, hug, and visit after Mass, let watch the liturgy on Facebook. Let us also check on our friends, make a phonecall and see who needs help. And remember to send monetary support to your parish so it will not be a casualty of this virus. 

Old World Traditions - Handwork

Lace curtains hang in the window and house plants rest on a decorative runner. There is a hand-made doily on the back of Carl Gerhardt’s chair, while Louisa Gerhardt knits lacy pieces together to make something larger - a shawl? a throw?

Louisa and Carl Gerhardt enjoying an evening at home. 

Photo used with permission from Lauren Summers

 

Embroidered pillow case

Lace making, embroidery, tatting, knitting and quilting were comforting reminders of artistry of the old country. The traditions and stories were passed from mother to daughter. These crafts were also a way to embellish the utilitarian parts of their lives. Simple pillow covers, tablecloths, table runners, doilies, blankets and quilts were an outlet for personal expression. And there was the old world idea of making good use of one’s time - no idle hands in Globeville.

Sadar's Saloon in Elyria

“The saloon was at 46th and Humboldt. It’s gone now. It’s a parking lot.” Joe Sadar remembered.

Matt Sadar arrived in Colorado before 1900 from a town in Slovenia called Novo Mesto. He opened a tavern and boarding house at 3rd Avenue and Powell Street in Elyria (now 46th and Humboldt Street.) Men who worked in the Grant and Globe Smelters could get a room, a lunch packed in a pail, an evening meal and laundry services. Newcomers from the old country, like Jennie Hocevar, cooked, and cleaned in the boarding house while learning English.

Joe Sadar reminisced, “We’d go down to Matt’s with a lard bucket. You could say, ‘I want 25¢ worth of beer,’ and they’d fill it. We’d pass the pail around and everyone would take a sip.

“Matt was so nice. He had the most beautiful hair. It was all gray, but very thick. He had this long bar. and tables you could play cards there and they had a little shelf where you could set your beer. He had pictures of the men working in the smelter. There were these pictures on the wall of a horse and wagon and some kegs of beer on the wagon.”After Prohibition was repealed in 1934, Joe Sadar recalled, “From out of nowhere, beer instantly appeared.”

In 1946, Jack and Frances Brinkerhoff purchased the business and renamed it the Shambles Inn. The bar and restaurant were well known for their beef chili, beef stew and pot roast sandwiches. In 1978, it was bought by the National Western and demolished for a parking lot.

Matt Sadar’s Saloon in 1903 in Elyria

Robbery of the Vogel Mercantile

The headline from the April 2nd, 1920 edition of the Denver Post screamed "Clever Yeggs Crack Safe, Make Big Globeville Haul." A subhead continues, "Store Robbed of $1,000 and Merchandise."

"Blowing the safe with nitroglycerin, yeggmen obtained $1,000 in currency from the Vogel Mercantile store, 201 East Forty-fifth Avenue in Globeville, on Thursday night. They proceeded to carry away shoes, overalls and other merchandise valued at between $500 and $1,000. Also included in the loot were a Liberty bond valued at $50 and silver in the amount of $40 or $50.

The cleverness displayed by the robbers, who made a getaway without being observed or leaving any clew, leaves the police to believe the men were expert safe-crackers. Just enough nitroglycerin was used to blow the safe and still not make a report loud enough to be heard by persons near." 

The crime occurred late on a Thursday night without waking any of the neighbors, even though the safe was blown apart and the front window demolished. Men heading to work at the nearby stockyards on Friday morning alerted one of the proprietors, Henry Vogel, who began tallying up the losses.

Vogel concluded. "The robbers must have been familiar with our business and knew we cashed many checks from the stockyards on payday, which was yesterday. I am thankful that I took a bunch of endorsed checks home with me, or the loot would have been much larger." Patrolmen Anderson and Thomas from the stockyards station pronounced the job as one of the cleverest they had ever seen. 

 

Globeville was like a small town and a robbery like this was big news. In this immigrant neighborhood, people didn't trust banks, choosing to use taverns, grocers or ethnic fraternals for their financial services. Owners of taverns, and mercantile stores and officers of fraternal societies were a part of the community, who knew their neighbors and attended the same churches.They allowed residents to carry a tab and settle up at the end of the month (many workers were paid monthly). Likewise citizens could rely on these institutions to keep their money for them, cash checks, and grant loans. The mercantile would have lots of cash on hand, making it a tempting target for thieves.

According to grandson James Vogel, his grandfather Henry J. Vogel, bought the mercantile from the Globe Smelter in 1919. After the robbery and due to the health of his wife, the Vogels moved to Longmont later that year. Today the building is used as a residence.

Photo of the smelter store about 1913