Long before the era of King Soopers and Whole Foods, stagecoaches and ox-drawn wagons hauled produce to the Denver area. As a result, Denver’s earliest consumers endured high prices. A pineapple was rumored to sell for $7 and a single apple could cost $1.25!
As Denver’s population grew, more sellers and more goods rolled into town. By 1883, three curb markets on Fourteenth Street, Lawrence Street, and Welton Street were established by city ordinance. A permanent market (Barth Market) was set up at 23rd and California Street, but by 1899 it was moved to the west bank of Cherry Creek, north of West Colfax Avenue. Despite lacking railroad access, this was the center of Denver’s local produce trade for nearly 40 years.
By 1938, the City of Denver looked to relocate the Cherry Creek market to Jerome Park (West 8th Avenue and Osage Street), but their plan failed as the site’s location was deemed inaccessible to northern Colorado growers. Two other sites were favored by Denver’s business community due to their adjacency to railroad tracks. Although it was believed the growing city of Denver could only support one market, both sites became successful city markets.
The Denver Market & Produce Terminal, Inc. built the Wazee Market at a cost of $1 million on a historic Auraria site that extended between 9th and 13th Streets along Wazee Street. The Wazee Market had four large produce buildings containing 27 store units, four sheds that accommodated 248 growers’ stalls, and what was hailed as “the most modern banana handling plant in the country.” The market opened on Colorado Day, August 1, 1939, and was serviced by five railroad systems. After World War II, the market expanded to include the sale of refrigeration equipment, furniture, radios, shoes, and clothing. Shortly after the Denver Urban Renewal Authority purchased the five-block Wazee Market for $2.7 million in 1974, it was demolished.
The second market, Denargo Market, was built by the Growers’ Market Association on thirty acres of land at 29th Street and Broadway. The Denargo Market had access to the Union Pacific railway and boasted 504 growers’ stalls, an administration building, refrigeration plant, restaurant, and its own barber shop. It opened on May 20, 1939. On July 7, 1971, a four-alarm fire devastated the market. Today, the Denargo Market is the site of a major redevelopment project.
To learn more about the Denver’s Wazee and Denargo markets, check out the Western History and Genealogy department's Western History Subject Index, newspapers on microfilm, and digital photo collection.
I don't believe that the fire
I don't believe that the fire at the Denargo Market occurred in July of 1991 as I worked for a produce operator based in the market then as a semi driver, at least not in the main market warehouse building. I worked for D.C. Metzger there that summer, who was around the middle south end of the building. When was the building finally torn down? Probably not until a decade ago if that long ago, though by then a lot of the former produce businesses had long moved away. Back then Federal Fruit and Produce was on the north end of the building as I had to drive by their trucks there every time too.
Mark, thank you for reading
Mark, thank you for reading and catching my typo! The four-alarm fire occurred at the market on July 7, 1971, not 1991.
My father worked for Amato
My father worked for Amato Fruit and Produce Co. They bought out Bourke Donaldson-Taylor in 1938. At that time they were located in the 1600 or 1700 block of Market St. In 1939 Amato.. moved to the Denargo Market as one of the first tenants. The facility had a modern banana ripening system in which there were several rooms where the temperature and amount of ethylene gas could be adjusted to control the ripening process. Dad was manager of the Banana Dept. He had to check on the controls seven days a week. We lived at South Downing and Alameda and dad would take the trolley to work on Market St. When they moved to the Denargo Market he bought a used 1933 Chevrolet because there was no convenient public transportation. Occasionally, my mom would take us three kids on the Downing St. bus to somewhere in the five Points area and we would walk across the Broadway Viaduct to meet dad for dinner at the Denargo Grill. There was also a garage and mechanic in the market where my dad had his car serviced while he was at work. While I was in Korea in 1951 my dad went to work for Federal Fruit and Produce in the market. I just thought I would add some background to your article on the Denargo Market. Thank you. It brought back some memories of my youth.
Thanks for sharing your
Thanks for sharing your memories with us, Robert! This adds so much more to the story of the market. Thank you!
I loved those great lunch at
I loved those great lunch at Rossi, I which I could fine some pictures from the late 60’s and 70,s
My grandfather had his
My grandfather had his business there. Walter Van Wert. He was in the wholesale fruit and vegetables business. I remember my grandmother talking about Carl Amato.
Hello- If your still in the
Hello- If your still in the area I would love to visit- Patrickm@salamatoproduce.com
My uncle Tony Sabell and his
My uncle Tony Sabell and his family had a produce business (Sabell's produce) I remember the big blocks of ice downstairs in the ice room. My cousin was shot and killed there in 1976. Miss going down there
Yes I remember when your
Yes I remember when your cousin was shot. We were customers of Sabells amongst other vendors at the market. Spent years going to market every morning at 4-5 am to get the best ideas. It’s nice to reminisce about those days.
Lloyd Barker was a manager at
Lloyd Barker was a manager at Denargo Market in 1949 when he was shot dead at his back door by his mentally ill wife. He was the only one of four sons of George Elias and Arizona Donnie (Clark) Barker to try to turn his life around, and he had served honorably in the Army during World War Two, after being released from prison in 1938. His brothers Herman (died 1927), Arthur "Doc" (died 1939), and Fred (died 1935) all met violent ends at the hands of law enforcement.
My association with Denargo
My association with Denargo Market was strictly because my uncle owned several 18-wheelers and hauled produce into Denargo from as far away as California, Arizonia, Rio Grande Valley, Florida, etc. Along the Platte River and close by was a large truck terminal, Truck Denver, offering parking, service, food, fuel, etc. Between the river and the truck terminal was a pallet manufacturer with a rail spur and sitting next to it was Lester's Produce Brokerage. During the summer, it was common to see 18-wheelers parked along the riverbank selling watermelons, canteloupes, etc Safeway, Associated Grocers, the smaller businesses in the Denargo Market would use this brokerage to arrange for loads into their business. As a young boy it was absolutely fascinating being around all this activity and observing it first hand.
How lucky you were to be able
How lucky you were to be able to observe all this activity as a kid. Thanks for sharing your memories with us, Billy!
Billy, was your uncle Harold
Billy, was your uncle Harold Hollaway? My father was Stanley Ranch and I vividly remember Harold. My father as well as Uncle Wesley and Johnny also owned trucks that hauled produce. I would love to hear from you and if you remember my father or uncles.
Yes it is for a while longer!
Yes it is for a while longer! He doing well for nearing 95 this June. He lost Lillian in ‘98 to cancer and he now lives in Bowie, TX. Were you part of the group that camped in the RMSP in ‘56 or ‘57? I know Johnny, Vicky went, Wes (we called him Fats) and family, Stanley, Harold and some others I believe. My dad, Harold’s brother Clay, drove for him. Spent a lot of summers hawking melons Long Platte River, riding back and fort in trucks to Safeway, AWG. Thanks for replying.
Can someone please provide a
Can someone please provide a history of the Grower's Café? When did it open and close? Thank you.....
Does anyone recall or have
Does anyone recall or have any history of "Tom, the produce man" who drove the streets and alleys of the Highlands selling fresh produce from the back of his early '50's green Chevrolet truck.
The last I saw of him was the late '70's or early '80's.
Tom Figgolino was my neighbor
Tom Figgolino was my neighbor! I have lived here for 43 years and knew he and his wife Emily till they passed. His truck was cool and loved his rose garden, Good folks!!
Tom Figgolino was my neighbor
Tom Figgolino was my neighbor! I have lived here for 43 years and knew he and his wife Emily till they passed. His truck was cool and loved his rose garden, Good folks!!
I’ve been trying to remember
I’ve been trying to remember his name. Tom. What a wonderful man My grandmother lived in sunny side and he was a part of my visits with her. I also would love to know about him
I remember in the wazee
I remember in the wazee market in the sixties, there was a bar and grill, The Old Number 7. Great food and drinks. It also burned down in the seventies
I am trying to figure out
I am trying to figure out Johnny the fruit man that drove a black truck. He would stop at my Grandmothers house.
I think you might be…
I think you might be thinking about Johnny Losasso, I believe he was the watermelon man and eventually worked (I think more for fun) at Federal Fruit and produce for my grandfather Joe Naiman; more to come in a coupleof weeks.
I think you might be…
I think you might be thinking about Johnny Losasso, I believe he was the watermelon man and eventually worked (I think more for fun) at Federal Fruit and produce for my grandfather Joe Naiman; more to come in a coupleof weeks.
We have an old water well
We have an old water well drilling truck sitting on a corner in our county. "John Stamison, Denargo Market Wholesale Produce, Ph: Keystone 6523
I took photos and have been trying to find its history
The Denargo Market supposedly
The Denargo Market supposedly was named such because it was halfway between downtown Denver and the Argo Smelter. My Uncle, Louie Lotito, had a tavern at the Denargo Market called “Luigi’s”.
Just fyi, William L. Rossi,
Just fyi, William L. Rossi, who operated the Rossi restaurant at Denargo Market, passed away this week due to COVID.
My brother I worked for Rossi
My brother I worked for Rossi on the weekends making marinara sauce for his events.
My brother I worked for Rossi
My brother I worked for Rossi on the weekends making marinara sauce for his events.
When I arrived in Denver back
When I arrived in Denver back in 1960, found work at the Rio Grande Motor Way trucking company, located under the Speer Blvd bridge at the time. But a bunch of us would go to Rossi's for lunch back then, it was terrific as I recall, low cost, good Italian food. the Denargo Market, what a spot, the 'good old days' really were.
My dad worked for bill rossi
My dad worked for bill rossi as a cook at his rossi denargo grill and I sometime worked as a busboy. We would also go to their home and get a couple of fishnets full of trout from their trout farm great memories
I also worked for Bill and
I also worked for Bill and Mom Rossi ( the real boss).I was 17 in 1968. Dishwasher, then busboy. There was Eddie working there and a tall black chef who absolutely freaked if he cracked an and found blood in it. Eddie and I loved that. We’re you there in 1968? A waitress was named Elsie.
I also worked for Bill and
I also worked for Bill and Mom Rossi ( the real boss).I was 17 in 1968. Dishwasher, then busboy. There was Eddie working there and a tall black chef who absolutely freaked if he cracked an and found blood in it. Eddie and I loved that. We’re you there in 1968? A waitress was named Elsie.
*cracked an egg.
*cracked an egg.
Does anyone remember the
Does anyone remember the Dutch Cafe in the Denargo market? My Dad, Stanley Ranch had many lunches in this historic cafe. Please respond if you know anything about it?
Kerouac writes about the
Kerouac writes about the Denargo Market in On The Road - the original scroll, which led me to this article-
Thanks for reading and
Thanks for reading and commenting, Dawn!
Love learning this history
Love learning this history and reading the comments.
Has anyone heard of Walter (Walt) Wager, Rhea Saxton Wager, or George Wager? I have heard that my family was involved in the Denver produce trucking business in the 1930's.
Thank you!
Does anyone remember the
Does anyone remember the Duchess Cafe in Denargo Market during the fifties and sixties? My father ate there an awful lot
My grandfather, Rocco Archer
My grandfather, Rocco Archer (Arcieri) peddled NW Denver from the 1910s-1950s. He typically left for the Denargo Market around 4:30am and came back home from his route about 4:00PM. First by horse-and-buggy, later in a green 1930 Dodge truck with bright orange flaps.
I remember going to the
I remember going to the Denargo Market growing up. We’d do a lot of browsing and some shopping (if I remember correctly, as I know it was mostly wholesale) and then having lunch at Rossi’s. I miss that.
My father Tony Simeone and…
My father Tony Simeone and and his brother Bill Simeone owned Simeone Brothers Potato Company on the Denargo Market from 1948-until 1975. I worked every holiday and weekends from the time I was 10 until going to work for Rio Grande Motorway. In 1970. Eventually end up the Principal officer of Teamsters Local 17. Everything I learned on the Denargo Market made me successful. Great times.
My grandmother (Margaret…
My grandmother (Margaret Theisen) my mom and I would go to Denargo’s market every summer and fall to buy Fruits and Vegetables for canning. My Grand Mother was in a wheel chair and there was always someone there to help push here. The venders would offer me fruits. I loved being there, good Memories.
In 1969 and 1970 I had a…
In 1969 and 1970 I had a summer job at Ace Box Co near the market area. Ace made a lot of the crates that the growers and shippers used. So I always felt a connection to the area. However, it seemed to me that the bigger part of Ace's business was making ammo boxes for the Vietnam war.
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