Every Street Has a Story

With a history that’s larger than life and steeped in myths and memories, Colfax Avenue runs through Colorado culture. The Golden Highway: Views of Colfax Avenue, opening today at the Aurora History Museum, celebrates this vibrant strip with a collaborative exhibition of the museum’s archival images and photos donated by...

By Bree Davies

March 27, 2014

Audio By Carbonatix

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With a history that’s larger than life and steeped in myths and memories, Colfax Avenue runs through Colorado culture. The Golden Highway: Views of Colfax Avenue, opening today at the Aurora History Museum, celebrates this vibrant strip with a collaborative exhibition of the museum’s archival images and photos donated by the community. “We wanted to show how Colfax has changed over the years — from back when it was the main route through Aurora and known as the ‘Gateway to the Rockies,’” says curator MaryJane Valade, referring to a sign that once stretched across the thoroughfare at Potomac Street.

The images encompass decades of Colorado history — from perilous blizzard photos to snapshots of family-owned cottage cabins that predated Colfax’s abundant and now-famous motels — and tell the story of a street that, while always evolving, has retained its colorful character. And neon-sign enthusiasts can rejoice, since there is sure to be plenty of imagery of the glowing motel signage that has come to represent the longest continuous street in the United States.

The Golden Highway opens today at the Aurora History Museum, 15051 East Alameda Parkway in Aurora, and continues through March. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; admission is free. For more information, visit auroragov.org/museum or call 303-739-6666.
Tuesdays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Starts: Dec. 17. Continues through March 30, 2013

Bree Davies is a multimedia journalist, artist advocate and community organizer born and raised in Denver. Rooted in the world of Do-It-Yourself arts and music, Davies co-founded Titwrench experimental music festival, is host of the local music and comedy show Sounds on 29th on CPT12 Colorado Public Television and is creator and host of the civic and social issue-focused podcast, Hello? Denver? Are You Still There? Her work is centered on a passionate advocacy for all ages, accessible, inclusive, non-commercial and autonomous DIY art spaces and music venues in Denver.

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