Central in Denver in Denver County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Let the Buyer Beware
Wall Street of the Rockies
— Seventeenth Street Denver, Colorado —
Photographed By Jeff Smith, circa July 8, 2010
1. Let the Buyer Beware Marker
In the 1880s and 1890s Denver was the nation's headquarters for "con" men, a dubious honor that it maintained into the early years of the 20th century.
The most famous con man was "Soapy" Smith who sold $5.00 bars of soap from 17th Street, claiming that some had one hundred dollar bills inside the wrappers.
Erected by Walk of Fame International. (Marker Number 2w.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Colorado, Denver, Wall Street of the Rockies series list.
Location. 39° 45′ N, 104° 59.771′ W. Marker is in Denver, Colorado, in Denver County. It is in Central. Marker can be reached from the intersection of 17th Street and Larimer 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. Mint Robbery February 1864 (here, next to this marker); Yo Soy Joaquin (a few steps from this marker); Rocky Mountain Fashion (within shouting distance of this marker); The City Beautiful (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherry Creek Emigrant's Song
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is 18" diameter and embedded into the cement sidewalk near the street curb.
Also see . . . Alias Soapy Smith. This is the official website for the Soapy Smith Preservation Trust and home of the Friends of Bad Man Soapy Smith. It is maintained by the Smith family descendants of Jefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith. Our goal, through research and publication, is to reveal and preserve Soapy as an important historical figure of the late nineteenth-century American West. His story is a fascinating study in crime and the frailties of human nature. (Submitted on February 5, 2012.)
Additional keywords. crime, old west, gambler
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 9, 2019
2. Let the Buyer Beware Marker (bottom of photo).
via Alias Soapy Smith, unknown
3. "Soapy" Smith
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 9, 2019
4. Let the Buyer Beware marker is there. Appeared to be original marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2012, by Jeff Smith of Williams, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,171 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 3, 2012, by Jeff Smith of Williams, Arizona. 2. submitted on June 9, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on December 15, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on June 9, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
