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.
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 Special Collections and Archives Reference Desk.
Denver Building Permit Indexes and Transcriptions, 1889-1892, 1900-1914
Indexes and transcriptions compiled by Charles O. Brantigan for searching the Denver building permit application log books, 1889-1892 and 1900-1914 (WH1145).
Denver City Directories
Denver City Directories date from 1873-1923, though there are some years that are not digitized, and are arranged by name of resident or business name. Many also list occupations.
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
Denver Householder Directories
Denver Householder Directories date from 1924-1937, and are arranged by address and show owners, residents, and business names.
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.
Denver Municipal Facts Index: (1909-1912); The City of Denver (1912-1914); and Municipal Facts (1918-1931)
Index to the Denver Municipal Facts.
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"
Auraria History and Tour
This document contains a transcription of a history and Auraria neighborhood description, presumably written by William N. Byers. It was first published in January and February 1860 editions of the Rocky Mountain News Weekly.