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Historic Homes of Denver: Entertainment Series - Red Rocks Parks

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Palm Realty BK3273458

Historic Homes of Denver Red Rocks Amphitheater is one of Colorado's great nature wonders, in fact Red Rocks was once considered one of the Great Natural Wonders of the World.

300 million years ago, give or take a million or so years, Colorado was an active seismic center.  That was how our beautiful Rocky Mountains were formed.  But on the east side of those mountains just outside of the town of Morrison there once was a prehistoric ocean.  Massive ledges of rock in varying colors of red, pink, rust and crimson were pushed up from within the Earth, exposing layer upon layer of the beautiful, colored rock.  Dinosaurs walked amongst these rocks leaving their footprints and fossils behind.
                                                                          
Fast forward several hundred million years.  The Native American Ute Indians came to know what we call Red Rocks as a perfect natural shelter with panoramic views of the great plains of present day Colorado.  The Utes used these formations for spiritual ceremonies. 

In 1820, an Army Expedition led by a man named Stephen Long "discovered" present day Red Rocks.  Long described Red Rocks  as:

                     "many remarkable and weird shapes full of cavernous holes and crannies"

Over the years, Red Rocks has been known by many names such as "Garden of the Angels" and "Garden of the Titans".
Historic Homes of Denver

Many formations in the area were given names like:

- Angels' Bathtub
- Demon's Grotto
- Roasted Goose
- Sleeping Lion

The founder of Cosmopolitan Magazine, John Brisben Walker, bought the Red Rocks land in the 1880's and organized concerts on a temporary platform.

In 1927, the city of Denver purchased the area from John Walker for just under $55,000 and re-named it Red Rocks Park.  Denver Mayor Ben Stapleton loved Red Rocks Park and resisted attempt to develop it. 

Denver City Parks Manager, a man named George Cranmer, used his political connections and a program developed by Franklin D. Roosevelt to build an amphitheater at Red Rocks Park at absolutely no cost to the city of Denver.  While Mayor Stapleton was out of town, Cranmer dynamited areas of rock at Red Rocks Park. The demolished area was to become what is now known as the Red Rocks Amphitheater.  Designed by architect Burnham Hoyt, Red Rocks Amphitheater is situated between two massive slabs of sandstone.  One slab is called Ship Rock, the other, Creation Rock.  Red Rocks Amphitheater can accommodate 10,000 people by using narrow pieces of sandstone for the seating.

Historic Homes of DenverRed Rocks Amphitheater held her first official outdoor concert in 1941.  Cranmer did not feel that the acoustics of Red Rocks Amphitheater were "right", and flew in an expert from Germany who suggested improvements such as wind walls.  Together they completed the acoustic improvements.

Initially perturbed by the work done at Red Rocks, Mayor Stapleton came to appreciate the Red Rocks Amphitheater after attending several concerts there.

Over the years countless famous people and musical groups have performed at the Red Rocks Amphitheater, just a few are:

- Nat King Cole
- Willie Nelson
- Ozzy Osbourne
- The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
- The Grateful Dead
- U2
- The Beatles

The Red Rocks Amphitheater was also the starting point and finish line of the 9th season of the reality show The Amazing Race. 

I have been to several performances at Red Rocks Amphitheater and I assure you, it is a venue like none other that I have ever experienced.

 

Posted by

Kerry

 If You have any questions about homes on the Space Coast, the Treasure Coast or in the greater Orlando area, please contact me at  321-626-5968.  Visit us on the web at

www.PalmRealty.com

Posted By: Kerry Klun - 321-626-5868
kerry@Palmrealty.com

Palm Realty

             

Comments (13)

Brenda Whitman, Live in Laramie Real Estate
Live in Laramie Real Estate, Laramie, Wyoming - Laramie, WY
Broker/Co-Owner, Laramie, Wyoming

I say "Huey Lewis and the News" at Red Rocks.  Does that date me?!  Nice article, I forget that anybody out of our region has probably never heard of Red Rocks.  You did a great job including some of the interesting history, too!

Feb 18, 2011 03:35 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Hey Kerry...there are two venues in the US to see concerts that are like no other. Jones Beach Theatre which is an open air concert that just out into the Atlantic Ocean...and Red Rocks. They are the most amazing places to see concerts!

Feb 18, 2011 04:10 PM
Debbie Rumsey
HomeSmart Realty West, Carlsbad, CA - Encinitas, CA
Realtor, Green, SFR

Kerry, I love your article and I love visiting Denver!  We have been to the Red Rocks a couple times, however, we have not been fortunate enough to visit at a time there is an artist we want to see that is playing at Red Rocks.  Love the town Morrison and have enjoyed a margarita and live music at Morrison Inn during the summer months.  You are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place and thank you for the wonderful history on Red Rocks!

Feb 18, 2011 04:56 PM
Tim Bradley
Contour Investment Properties - Jackson Hole, WY
Commercial Real Estate Expert in Jackson Hole, WY

Every Deadhead knows about Red Rocks! It was on the annual tour...

Feb 18, 2011 04:59 PM
Kerry L Klun, Broker/Owner
Palm Realty - Melbourne, FL
321-626-5868

Brenda,

Huey Lewis and the News would be fanastic at the Rocks!

Feb 18, 2011 05:50 PM
Kerry L Klun, Broker/Owner
Palm Realty - Melbourne, FL
321-626-5868

Jeff,

Is Jones Beach on Long Island?

Feb 18, 2011 05:51 PM
Kerry L Klun, Broker/Owner
Palm Realty - Melbourne, FL
321-626-5868

Debbie,

I know Morrison Inn well!  You're right they have great margs there.  Hopefully next time you visit you will be able to see a concert at Red Rocks.

Feb 18, 2011 05:53 PM
Kerry L Klun, Broker/Owner
Palm Realty - Melbourne, FL
321-626-5868

Tim,

You are correct my Deadhead friend.  However, when the Dead was here last week they played up in Broomfield.  I know, I know, but it's kinda cold this time of year!

Feb 18, 2011 05:54 PM
Karin Lundeen
Keller Williams Realty - Denver Southlands - Centennial, CO
Realtor Centennial Homes For Sale

Kerry, This reminds me that I need to look up the summer concert schedule and pick a couple!

Feb 18, 2011 11:19 PM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Hi Kerry~ Thanks for the lesson.  Red Rocks Park is such a beautiful place.  My son and daughter-in-law were married in the chapel there and they have wonderful wedding photos inside the park with their bridal party.  I've never been to a concert, but I'm anxious to go. 

Feb 19, 2011 04:00 AM
Kerry L Klun, Broker/Owner
Palm Realty - Melbourne, FL
321-626-5868

Donna,

I attended a wedding at that chapel once.  It is beautiful, I haven't seen it since it was damaged and repaired though.  Perhaps we can so to a concert together there!  The 2011 calender should be out in the next month.

Feb 19, 2011 09:01 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kerry, great article and history about our wonderful venue!   Red Rocks has featured so many musicians over the years, and is so much fun to attend!    It also is a great place to "do stairs", if you are very healthy!    

Feb 21, 2011 11:48 AM
Kerry L Klun, Broker/Owner
Palm Realty - Melbourne, FL
321-626-5868

Joan,

Thank you for your kind comments.  I always see stair runners when I am "on the Rocks".

Feb 21, 2011 01:19 PM