Denver Neighborhoods - Historic Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill was founded in bluster and hope. Richard Whitsitt believed that he had rightful ownership of the area in the early 1860s, but lost it. Henry Cordes Brown took advantage of Whitsitt’s undocumented claim by erecting a cabin at 12th and Sherman and using the Homestead Act to purchase 160 acres of land for just $200. Although Whitsitt threatened a duel, Brown unsheathed his carpenter’s hatchet in return. No blows were ever struck, and the land called “Brown’s Bluff” was established.

The north-south, east-west orientation of Capitol Hill streets broke the diagonal layout upon which Denver had been founded. But when city planners objected, Brown received formal approval of the territorial legislature for his plat in June 1869. The mold was thus broken, and most of Denver thereafter adopted Brown’s north-south, east-west orientation.

Brown’s Bluff was named for the capitol well before the Capitol building itself had been planned. In fact, Denver wasn't even the capitol city of Denver when Brown deeded the legislature his parcel of land: he hoped they might establish the governmental seat in this area, but so did nearly a dozen other developers in the state. All hoped to raise the value of his adjacent properties by having the Capitol built in their midst, but the territorial government dithered on making a decision, and by 1879 the gift struck Brown as unnecessary. However, when Brown sought to reclaim the donated parcel, the state successfully lobbied the US Supreme Court to block the effort. Brown‘s initial objective was finally achieved: the state broke ground on the new Capitol building, and Capitol Hill’s prominence was assured.

Although an early center of the elite, Capitol Hill has always been a place of diversity. Even in the era of millionaire mansions, service workers lived in the area nearby their affluent employers. Squatters took up residence on the nearby park lands and small farmers drew from the precious water in the City Ditch. And when the financial Panic of 1893 ruined fortunes, the middle class moved into the homes of the once-gloriously rich.

Today, Capitol Hill is well known for its lively urban ambience, mixed neighborhoods, organic super markets, coffee shops, art galleries and its unique historic districts. Millionaire’s Row, Wyman District, Poet’s Row, and Quality Hill are all contained within its boundaries. Community spirit is fostered by the strong leadership of Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods (CHUN) and its yearly People's Fair, and the area is now far less contentious than in its blustery beginnings.

July 2008 Market Statistics

In metro Denver closed sales in July were 5,123 compared with 4,980 in July 2007, a 2.9% gain. The average selling price for the period was $262,224 compared to an average in July 2007 of $289,294, a percentage drop of 9.4. The median sale price for single-family homes was $229,200 compared with $255,000 in July 2007, for a drop of 10.1%. 969 condos and townhomes sold in July 2008, compared with 1,081 for the same period in 2007, a drop of 10.4%. Median prices for condos in July 2008 were $149,000 compared with $158,000 in July 2008, a drop of 5.7%. For single family houses, condos and townhomes the average number of days a house was on the market in July 2008 was 98, and in July 2007 was 95. The list to sale ratio was 97% in 2008 versus 98% in 2007. 25,673 houses are currently on the market and interest rates are still low. It’s a great time to buy in the Denver real estate market, but if you’re a seller you may want to wait till conditions improve.

Check out the current Market Conditions Report for further analysis.