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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
