Can you imagine an open house attended
by 4,000 people? That’s exactly what happened
in Arapahoe Acres in 1950! The first and only post-World
War II residential neighborhood to ever be named to
the National Register of Historic Places, Arapahoe
Acres is located just south of Denver, and was developed
by Edward B. Hawkins beginning in 1949.
Hawkins, a Colorado native, moved to Chicago and
began studying Frank Lloyd Wright’s work prior
to joining the Civilian Conservation Corps and returning
to Denver in 1942. Though not classically trained
in architecture, Hawkins developed a keen eye for
building and began construction on homes in Park Hill
and Montclair shortly after arriving back in Denver.
Returning GIs from WWII led to a huge housing boom
and Hawkins was on the cutting edge of development
with his purchase of 30 acres in Englewood in 1949.
The area spanned from Bates to Dartmouth, and Franklin
to Marion. With a program created by Revere Copper
and Brass Company in collaboration with the Housing
Research Institute, a plan was made to promote “quality
modern design” as well as their own products.
The Revere Quality House Program required a professional
architect (which Hawkins was not) so Eugene Sternberg,
a DU professor, was called in.
Sternberg designed 20 homes in Arapahoe Acres prior
to a falling out with Hawkins, who then designed the
remainder of the subdivision. With a focus on using
concrete, glass, and aluminum, the architectural designs
here are predominately International Style and Usonian
(a Frank Lloyd Wright idea which expressed a Japanese
influence and efficiency in terms of space). Unlike
any other development in the city, Arapahoe Acres
contains quite diverse lot sizes and homes were situated
on the lots to emphasize both privacy and also the
best light. Streets are curvy to reflect the natural
lay of the land.
With the opening of Arapahoe Acres’ show home,
the Rickard House, in 1950, the popularity of the
neighborhood was apparent. Thousands of people came,
setting the stage for the continued interest in and
love for this unique neighborhood for decades to come.
-Jennifer
Collins
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