Fuel and Feed

In 1934, almost all Globeville people relied on coal to heat their homes and power their businesses. Many in the neighborhood (in defiance of Denver city ordinances) also kept horses, chickens, geese, rabbits, doves, and the occasional hog. For one-stop shopping, citizens could purchase what they needed at Globeville Fuel and Feed at 4425 Washington. Paul Goreski remembered, "They sold coal, animal feed and hay. The fellow who owned it, Jimmy O’Conner, used to go to South Park in the summertime to get hay and my folks used to go with him." David Freehling's Blacksmith Shop at 4627 Washington kept Globeville's steeds in shoes and harnesses, and produced metal parts for farm implements.
On the east side of block was the Ruff's Garage at 4492 Washington Street providing both coal for heat and gasoline for the growing number of cars and trucks. Navy Fuel and Gas at 4588 and the Merchant Oil Filling Station at 4601 Washington also catered to patrons with automobiles. 
Today, the area is at the interchange of I-70 and Washington, with a Conoco super station on the south side of the highway and a 7-11 service station on the north. Fuel and feed has been replaced by pump-it-yourself gas and fast food for travelers. 

Unknown man, Jimmy O'Conner (seated), Pete Goreski about 1930,

Globeville Fuel and Feed 4425 Washington Street, photo used with written permission from Paul Goreski

Ruff Coal Company, 4492 Washington Street circa 1937, 

photo used with written permission from Linda and Dennis Ruff

201 East 45th Avenue

The building at 201 East 45th Avenue dates from 1882 and has been a grocery for most of its life. Lydia Heck remembers hearing that the structure was one of the company stores of the big Globe Smelter Company. The building was purchased by her father, Carl Gerhardt, in 1922 and operated as a one-stop shopping venue with everything from canned goods, freshly-made ethnic sausage, cleaning supplies, material for sewing, to toys and penny candy. Larry Summers remembers, "Grandpa would be near the door on the right, where they had a long counter like they had in dry goods stores, to measure yard goods. He would sit on a stool near the door, and, when people came in and out, he would visit with them and “dun” them for payment on their account. Right in the middle of the store was a post with a couple of phones on it, pads hanging on nails and clerks taking orders. Groceries would be gathered in a collapsible box and clerks would go all around and deliver the goods in company trucks." Carl Gerhardt sold the store in 1945, just as supermarkets were moving into the area and residents were moving to newer homes in the suburbs.

Today, the location seems to be a private residence.

Photo at top, Globe Mercantile about 1915. Andy Jackson is the middle fellow in the white apron. Photo used with written permission from June Jackson Egan

Middle photo, Gerhardt Mercantile in 1932. Photo used with written permission from Larry Summers.

Bottom photo taken in 2009 by Mary Lou Egan.

The Globeville School

Three large smelters, the Boston and Colorado, the Omaha and Grant and the Globe, operated in Globeville between 1878 and 1889 and workers moved to the town seeking jobs. As the population grew, the region evolved from a rural outpost to an industrial village and the small country schools that dotted the area became inadequate. The Globeville School was built on the corner of 51st and Washington in 1890 on land belonging to the Globe Smelter, replacing a one-room country school that had been on that site since the 1870s. The community continued to expand and a new and larger Globeville School was completed in 1925 at 51st an Lincoln. However, the increase in the population reached its high point in the 1920s and declined afterward. With a dwindling enrollment, the Globeville School closed in 1943 and the remaining students were sent to Garden Place School.

In 1948, the building was given new life when Joseph and Elizabeth Calabrese created Laradon Hall, an organization that offers support, guidance and training to children with developmental disabilities.

Top photo, Globeville School at 51st and Washington, 1890, photo Denver Public Library

Second photo, Sam's Vintage Parts occupies the remains of the 1890 school, photo Mary Lou Egan

Third photo, new school 51st and Lincoln 1923, photo Denver Public Library

Fourth photo, Laradon Hall today, photo Mary Lou Egan