Historic Homes of Denver: People Who Shaped Denver’s History - Emily Griffith
This is a great historic article by Kerry Klun. She knows the Historic Denver area better then anyone. She is a perfect choice for those looking to buy or sell a home in Denver...she may even give you a fun history lesson.
Emily Griffith is a name that is familiar to Denver residents. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1868, Emily Griffith grew up in abject poverty. Forced to leave school in the 8th grade in order to help support her family, Emily Griffith found work at the age of 13 as a teacher in a sod school house in Broken Bow, Nebraska.
Forced to live with families of her students for weeks and a time, Emily Griffith came to realize that many of the parents of her students had never received a proper education themselves. It was this realization and knowledge that changed young Emily's life forever. Emily Griffith developed a strong belief that education itself was the best and sometimes only means of lifting people out of poverty. She specifically believed if the parents of her students received an education, then their children would fare better in school as well.
In 1894 Emily Griffith moved with her family to Denver where she once again began teaching. But, her strong belief was in educating adults so that they could improve their lives. Within 10 years, in 1904, Emily Griffith became the Deputy State Superintendant of Schools.
It was at this point that Emily Griffith began teaching night classes for adults. In 1915, Emily Griffith pled her case to the Denver School Board. She advocated a free school that would provide education and training for adults. In September of 1916, Emily Griffith opened what she called the Opportunity School. It was here that any adult, could receive education and training in marketable trade skills. Emily Griffith expected 200 adults to enroll in her revolutionary school...instead 2,389 applied!
By 1933, over 100,000 students had studied at the Opportunity School and Emily Griffith retired in order to care for her ailing sister who lived in Pinecliff, CO, northwest of Denver.
The same year that she retired, the name of the school was changed to The Emily Griffith Opportunity School and has retained that name ever since.
In 1947, both Emily Griffith and her sister were found shot in the head, murdered in their Pinecliff home. While there was a suspect in the crime, no one was ever arrested, and the murders remain unsolved to this day.
If You have any questions about Historic Homes in Denver or any Metro Denver area Real Estate...Please contact me at Kerry@kerryklun.com or 303.549.0818. Visit us on the web at www.HistoricHomesofDenver.com
Posted By: Kerry Klun - 303-549-0818
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