Elections in Globeville

The very first election in Globeville was held on a Thursday, July 2, 1891. The community needed to decide whether or not to incorporate their settlement.

Developers had laid out inexpensive, rural-sounding tracts so workers could build homes close to their industrial jobs. Greenwood Addition, Cranberry Place, Tacoma Heights, Argo Park, Platte Farm and Garden Place were growing in population and this vote was to determine whether their residents wanted to incorporate as a single town. Thomas J. Anders, a real estate developer from adjacent Retreat Park, opposed the idea and argued that taxes would likely increase. But many citizens were concerned that their village could be annexed by Denver (who coveted the tax revenue from the smelters and meat packing plants), by the straight-laced company town of Argo to the west, or the anything-goes town of Elyria to the east. 

Residents felt the need for some civic improvements like water treatment, fire and police protection, street lights, and control over the kind of behavior that would be tolerated in the town. Incorporation carried the day and the community chose the name of "Globeville" for their new city.

An organizational meeting was held in the Globeville schoolhouse at 51st and Washington with homesteader William Hanford Clark chosen as the town's first mayor. Attendees decided that the city government would be elected every two years and consist of the mayor, six trustees, a recorder, treasurer, magistrate and marshal. Officials wold meet every second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm, with additional meetings as necessary.

The minutes of that first meeting reflect the determination of the council to ensure that Globeville would be a desirable place to live. Prize fighting, which was legal and profitable in nearby Elyria, was forbidden. "Abusive, common, vulgar, indecent or improper language was illegal, as well as inciting others to commit violent crimes."

The neighborhood still had large areas of open land and town ordinances reflected that. "The running of large horses, cattle, sheep or goats, geese or burros within the limits of the town is illegal."

The first meeting dealt with the structure of governance in Globeville and it was decided to hold the first official election of officials and trustees in the spring. So a ballot for the vote was published on April 1, 1892, in the Rocky Mountain News, and the election held on April 5, 1892. 

 

First Mayor of Globeville

William H Clark arrived with the hoards of gold seekers in October 1858 and built a small cabin in an area north of Denver. Along with his neighbors, a few homesteaders and native Americans, he did some farming, hunting and prospecting.

Clark had lived in his cabin for 20 years when the first of the state's big smelters, the Boston & Colorado was built in 1878. The Grant and Globe Smelters were constructed in 1882 and 1889 and Clark watched the district evolve from a rural outpost to an industrial area. The increasing population voted to incorporate as the town of Globeville in 1891 and selected Clark as the first Mayor. 

After his mayoral term ended in 1894, Clark returned to farming. He was known as "Uncle Billy" and, at 59, was considered an old timer who would share his memories of the early days with anyone who had time to listen.

He was found dead of "advanced age" in his cabin on June 26, 1921 and is buried in Fairmount Cemetery. A street named "Clark Place" in the Globeville neighborhood pays tribute to this pioneer.