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Denver History

The Library has a wide range of resources for researching and documenting Denver History including: Many City Records, Newspapers, Maps, Books, Directories, Photographs, and Special Collections of archival materials. For information on researching the history of a Denver building see the Denver Building History Tutorial and Denver Building History Resources Guide.

Research Tools: 

Denver Assessor Records - late 1950s to the early 1980s

The Master Property Record cards show the chain of ownership of Denver property by Parcel Number, from the late 1950s to the early 1980s.  The Parcel Number can be found on the Denver Assessor’s Office Real Property Search website. Try searching them by address or parcel number. If you have trouble finding the card online, please see our tutorial or ask for assistance at the Western History and Genealogy Reference Desk.

Denver Grantor Grantee Records

Denver Grantor Grantee Records

The Grantor Grantee deed books are the legal documentation concerning property transfers. These may give additional information about the property transfer.

1859 - 1860: Grantee and Grantor

1859 - 1861:  Grantee

1861 - 1867: Grantee Book 1, Grantee Book 2 and Grantor

1867 - 1868: Grantee and Grantor

1870 - 1872: Grantee and Grantor

1872 - 1874: Grantee and Grantor

1874 - 1875: Grantee and Grantor

1875 - 1877: Grantee and Grantor

1877 - 1878: Grantee and Grantor

1880 - 1881: Grantee and Grantor Book 1, Grantor Book 2

1881 May - Dec.: Grantee and Grantor

1882 Jan. - Sept.: Grantee and Grantor

1882 Oct. - 1883 June: Grantee and Grantor

1883 July - Dec.: Grantee and Grantor

1884: Grantee and Grantor

Denver Municipal Facts

Published by the City and County of Denver from 1909 until 1931 the Denver Municipal Facts contains a wealth of general information about the City of Denver, from politics and elections to sewer lines and public health.

Foundation Stones

"Lest We Forget
The ox team; the covered wagon; the long trek; the hair-breadth escape from hostile Indians; the log house; the forts for defence [sic]; the many privations, these brief personal sketches will remind us of our obligation to the Old Pioneer"