Michigan Exposures: Pictures of Denver

Here are some more pictures from my trip. This time they are some of my shots as I wandered around near my hotel. It was only a few blocks away from the Colorado Capitol Building, so I decided to head over that way. There are also some shots of buildings that were along the way.

Denver was established in 1858 as a mining town during the Pikes Peak gold rush. It was named after the Kansas Territorial Governor at the time. In 1861, Colorado was established as a territory and Denver was incorporated at that time.

This is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Construction was started in 1902 and the Cathedral was completed in 1911. It was given the title of basilica in 1979.

The Colorado State Capitol Building was constructed in the 1890's with completion in 1894. The dome is made with gold plate to commerate the Gold Rush. One of the steps on the building is exactly one mile from sea level.

A shot of the dome and the frieze at the front of the building. The frieze depicts some symbols of Colorado.

A statue of a civil war soldier in front of the capitol building. It is dedicated to the Colorado residents that died during the Civil War.

This is a cannon that is a part of the Civil War Memorial.

A shot of the entire front of the building. It is a nice looking capitol building.

In front of the Capitol Building is a little park. This is a replica of the Liberty Bell.

Also in that park is a statue of Joseph P. Martinez. He is a resident of Colorado that was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Aleutians Campaign. His citation is as follows:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. Over a period of several days, repeated efforts to drive the enemy from a key defensive position high in the snow-covered precipitous mountains between East Arm Holtz Bay and Chichagof Harbor had failed. On 26 May 1943, troop dispositions were readjusted and a trial coordinated attack on this position by a reinforced battalion was launched. Initially successful, the attack hesitated. In the face of severe hostile machinegun, rifle, and mortar fire, Pvt. Martinez, an automatic rifleman, rose to his feet and resumed his advance. Occasionally he stopped to urge his comrades on. His example inspired others to follow. After a most difficult climb, Pvt. Martinez eliminated resistance from part of the enemy position by BAR fire and hand grenades, thus assisting the advance of other attacking elements. This success only partially completed the action. The main Holtz-Chichagof Pass rose about 150 feet higher, flanked by steep rocky ridges and reached by a snow-filled defile. Passage was barred by enemy fire from either flank and from tiers of snow trenches in front. Despite these obstacles, and knowing of their existence, Pvt. Martinez again led the troops on and up, personally silencing several trenches with BAR fire and ultimately reaching the pass itself. Here, just below the knifelike rim of the pass, Pvt. Martinez encountered a final enemy-occupied trench and as he was engaged in firing into it he was mortally wounded. The pass, however, was taken, and its capture was an important preliminary to the end of organized hostile resistance on the island."