How Kids Saw Denver in 1979

We found yet another gem in our collection.

The 1978-1979 fourth grade class at Dennison School in Lakewood published—with the help of teachers Ms. Judith H. Cozzens and Ms. Collette C. Rouse—a booklet entitled As Kids See Denver '79. 

The item's back cover says it all:

"'As Kids See Denver '79' is an exciting guidebook of over 120 places to go in greater Metropolitan Denver. This information will furnish years of family fun for all ages and help you entertain your visiting friends and relatives."

Each student was assigned a Denver area spot to review, creating a guidebook compilation of restaurants, parks, museums, libraries, and other attractions. The result is a fascinating snapshot of what Denver-area families did for fun in the late 1970s.

And, since kids tend to say the "darndest things," the students' reviews are both candid and cute. See some of our favorite quotes below, illustrated by Rocky Mountain News photos of the era.

CELEBRITY SPORTS CENTER, 888 S. Colorado Blvd, Denver

"Celebrity has 80 bowling lanes, several pool tables, and a fun center upstairs. Downstairs they have a shooting gallery, a pool, and many other things. When I go again, I am going swimming in the huge pool." 

CASA BONITA RESTAURANT, 6715 W. Colfax Ave, Lakewood

“Casa Bonita of Lakewood has a seating capacity of 1,100 people...There is a swimmer who jumps off a cliff with a torch in his hand into the water.” 

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, Denver

"The Children’s Museum is a ‘funkey’ [sic] place where you do everything by yourself. They have a Star Wars section…The staff is using a lot of money, so take your kids."

APPLE TREE SHANTY, 8710 E. Colfax Ave, Denver

"The Apple Tree Shanty is a family restaurant. On the outside it looks like a 'neat little shack,’ but on the inside it’s 'applely nice.'" 

CHEESMAN PARK, Denver

“It has pretty flowers you should not pick.” 

BABY DOE'S RESTAURANT, 2520 W. 23rd Ave, Denver

“They serve good American food such as Prime Rib. . .Remember to see the antiques and stuff.”

ROLLER CITY, 6803 W. Alameda Ave, Lakewood 

“Roller City is a fun place to go roller skating. Roller City’s dress code is as follow:

1. No halter tops; bare midriffs
2. No tank tops; muscle shirts
3. No “T” shirts (underwear type)
4. Hair must not be of an extreme style”

ELITCH GARDENS AMUSEMENT PARK, 4620 W. 38th Ave, Denver

 “One of the new rides is the log ride called the Splinter. . .The park also has 53 lanes of Skee Ball, two roller coasters, miniature golf and many other fun filled rides."

DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY, 1357 Broadway, Denver

“The Denver Public Library has 17 miles of book racks. They have a choice of a half-million books. They have a new way of looking up books on a machine called the 'Com Catalog.'”