Every year we get questions regarding the story that either colored and/or outdoor Christmas lighting was developed in Colorado by the founder of Sturgeon Electric. As the story goes, David Sturgeon's son was suffering a mortal illness and could not leave his room to see the Christmas tree. As a result, his father wired and painted some bulbs outside and put them on a tree visible from his window, thus inventing colored Christmas lights. We received questions about this story again, so we wanted to provide a fuller explanation of the myths and realities around festive outdoor lighting in the city.
Many books and websites refer to a series of articles written by "Pinky" Wayne either in 1914 or 1919 claiming the lights were developed for Sturgeon's sick child. We have access to the Post and found many Christmas related articles in that period from Wayne, but none relating this particular story. The first mention of the Sturgeon story we came across was in a 1940 Post article referring to a 1919 article that could not be found. Granted, this may have been contained in an edition of the Post that was lost, but no reference to the story ever gave a specific date.
The first major use of colored electric bulbs in Denver appears to be during the October 1896 celebration put on by the social group known as the Slaves of the Silver Serpent during the Festival of Mountain and Plain.
"Electric lights have been swung at every corner from Larimer street to Broadway and the full current will be turned into the many colored bulbs as soon as darkness spreads its first gloom over the city." Denver Post October 6, 1896
The 1915 Christmas Day edition of the Herald Democrat contains a list of the municipal celebrations around the state. Colorado Springs erected a huge tree and put bird feed in the branches to attract wildlife. The listing for Denver discusses Boy Scouts and Campfire Girls serving poor families, but does not mention any light displays.
The first lighted tree in Civic Center (credited to John Malpiede) was reported by the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News in 1917. During World War I, visiting veterans and recent recruits would often be invited to take part and were provided gifts and entertainment. In 1918, the Denver Gas and Electric Light Company was running ads about the dangers of using candles on Christmas trees and encouraging people to come and see their Christmas lighting kits. Due to fuel restrictions in 1919, the city opted to light only Civic Center (including the 60-foot tree in front of the Greek theater) rather than illuminate all of the wider downtown area. By 1924, The Post had teamed up with the Electrical Cooperative League (which included Sturgeon) and hosted a contest for the best Christmas illuminations at local homes and other institutions. Since then, outdoor Christmas lights have been a staple of the holiday season.
The Denver Post interviewed David D. Sturgeon in October 1952 and asked about this story. His ill son was confined to bed and so Sturgeon set up a small lit tree in his son's room. According to him, his son then asked why he shouldn't set up lighting on the cedar tree outside the home. Sturgeon then did so, impressed other Denverites, and was soon hired to do their outdoor lighting. He never makes the claim that he invented colored bulbs nor outdoor lighting. Regardless of who was first to turn on the lights, they remain a bright tradition on cold Colorado nights.
Add new comment