Central in Denver in Denver County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Constitution Hall
The First National Bank of Denver made its first home here in 1866, with a building constructed for a cost of $45,000. The bank stayed at this location for 10 years, enlarging rooms, installing fancy gas lights, and in 1875, adding a third floor with a fish-scales slate mansard roof. In the winter of 1875-1876, the delegates to the state's constitutional convention met at this site to draw up a state constitution in anticipation of Colorado being admitted to the Union as the thirty-sixth state. Although Colorado's first bid for statehood had been defeated by voters leery of increased taxation and her second bid snubbed by a congress unconvinced of the sincerity of her intentions, Colorado's legislation for statehood was finally approved on March 3, 1875. Delegates convened here to draft a basic charter for the new state. After 87 days of work, the constitution drafted here was presented to the people of Colorado for ratification. It passed, 15,433 votes to 4,062. President Grant declared Colorado to be a state of the Union on August 1, 1876. From that time, the building became known as Constitution Hall and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. In 1977, an arsonist set fire to the building. The facade, although saved during the fire, was subsequently and tragically demolished.
Erected by Lower Downtown Historic District.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Buildings • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1773.
Location. 39° 44.983′ N, 105° 0.015′ W. Marker is in Denver, Colorado, in Denver County. It is in Central. Marker is on Blake Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Denver CO 80202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Barney Ford Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 15th / Wazee Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Elephant Corral (about 400 feet away); Denver City (about 500 feet away); Sugar Building (about 500 feet away); Henry Lee Building (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Elephant Corral (about 600 feet away); Larimer Street (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Denver.
More about this marker. Marker is installed on the south-west side of the last existing building on that block, 1509 Blake St.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2010, by Bruce Quackenbush of Denver, Colorado. This page has been viewed 1,879 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 14, 2010, by Bruce Quackenbush of Denver, Colorado. 4, 5. submitted on May 14, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.