When we first moved in, several of our neighbors were super excited to tell us how our backyard was once-upon-a-time a hotel for circus elephants. So charming, but sadly not quite true. Since PT Barnum was somewhat famous for his hoaxes, entertaining as they might have been, I think it's rather fitting that his namesake neighborhood carries the same sort of not-quite-true-but-it-makes-for-a-good-story sort of mythology.Here's some fun facts for your next Barnum barbeque: Yes, this land was purchased by PT Barnum in 1878. No, it was not ever going to be a winter home for his circus. It was, in fact, a real estate investment. How mundane. After selling the rest in bits, he did sell part of it to his daughter, Helen, who was married to William Buchtel. If that name sounds familiar to Denverites, it should: William Buchtel became Mayor of Barnum, but his big brother, Henry Buchtel was Governor of Colorado, Chancellor of the University of Denver, and namesake of Buchtel Blvd.
One more cool fact: Barnum has a slogan. "If you stick with Barnum, Barnum will stick with you." What an unfortunate slogan.
For more info on ol' PT and the history of the Barnum neighborhood, check out this link to Denver Public Library's Western History and Genealogy Department: The Story of Barnum.
Do you have a cool Barnum neighborhood history to share? Leave a comment! Interested in becoming a contributor to the Barnum/Barnum West website? Send us an email!
welcometobarnum (at) gmail.com
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