The Clement's Addition Historic District
is one of Denver's oldest intact residential areas.
1880s structures like the Clement's
Row House on 2201-2217 Glenarm remain as unique family
housing. Nearby, the Zion Baptist church at 933 E.
24th Avenue is a historic landmark for locals. Established
by former slaves in 1865, the popular church is home
to Colorado's first black congregation and was led
for 50 years between 1941 and 1991 by Reverend Wendell
T. Liggins, a Denver civic activist.
"...far off into the country...the
dwellings did look forlorn and lonesome standing way
out there...". So wrote Jerome Smiley describing
the early development of the area first known as the
Clements Addition.
Clements is a pleasing potpourri of
individual architectural styles: Queen
Anne, Dutch
Colonial, Italianate,
1880's Farm Style, New Colonial Gothic Revival, and
later Stick and Mission
style. The District's "hey-day" peaked after
the turn of the century. For the next 70 years the
neighborhood went through varying stages of disrepair.
In the mid 1970s, urban pioneers began to acquire
and save its residences from demolition.
Today, Clements is a delight: a quiet
tree-lined residential oasis in the shadows of the
downtown high-rises. Antique street lights line Clements
Park. The fountain of Cararra marble, carved in Italy,
is named for Denver Architect Jacques
Benedict. Spectacular renovations have been features
in many publications from the New York Times
and the San Francisco Examiner to Colorado
Homes & Lifestyles.
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