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Downtown Littleton is a place to experience a classic small town "Main Street" atmosphere within the larger Denver metropolitan area. Accessible from downtown Denver by car, light rail or bike path, the historic downtown district includes buildings featuring a diverse array of architectural styles. Numerous independent businesses, galleries and restaurants line Main Street and the adjoining side streets.
Littleton was established in the 1860s as a farming community. Produce grown in the area supplied miners who came to the state seeking riches after the discovery of gold in 1859. The town grew steadily after the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reached Littleton in 1871 and was chosen as the county seat of newly formed Arapahoe County in 1904. In 1907, an electric streetcar line connected Littleton to Denver, marking the beginning of its transition to an increasingly suburban community.
Through community action, Littleton has saved and re-used several of its most significant historic landmarks. The 1875 Denver & Rio Grande Depot has been relocated and restored to serve once again as a passenger depot for the Southwest Corridor light rail line. Another depot, built in 1888 for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, was rescued from neglect by community volunteers and given new life as an arts center for the Littleton Fine Arts Guild. Littleton's handsome 1917 Carnegie Library, designed by noted architect Jules Jacques Benedict, now houses a restaurant. The former town hall, a 1920 Renaissance Revival-style structure also designed by Benedict, serves as a performing arts center and gallery. The original 1908 Arapahoe County courthouse has been rehabilitated to serve as a courthouse for the town of Littleton.
These landmarks and many other commercial structures contribute to Littleton's historic downtown district. Local merchants and business owners are working together to promote downtown Littleton's historic character, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere and unique mix of businesses and attractions. They have joined with several other small and historic commercial districts within the Denver metropolitan area, which they have dubbed "Original Shopping Districts." In addition to Historic Downtown Littleton, these districts include Olde Town Arvada, Historic Downtown Golden and two Denver neighborhood commercial districts: Old South Pearl Street and Old South Gaylord Street.
FUN FACTS TO KNOW AND TELL
Downtown Littleton is home to many independent businesses, such as Valore Hardware, which opened in 1907 and has been in its current Main Street location since 1928.
The electric trolley route from Denver to Littleton route included the famous "Cherrelyn" street car on south Broadway, where a horse assisted the streetcars going up a steep grade, then climbed aboard and rode on the car during the descent.
The great Platte River flood of 1965 caused severe damage from Littleton north into Denver. The flood spurred construction of the Chatfield Dam and led to the conversion of the river valley from a garbage dump to a recreational greenway.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT
Littleton Historical Museum
Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
BEST TIMES TO VISIT
Downtown Littleton is a 20 minute ride from Downtown Denver on the Southwest Corridor light rail line. On the First Fridays of each month over 30 stores and restaurants stay open until 9pm or later.
BYWAYS
South Platte Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail
OTHER WEBSITES
http://www.originalshoppingdistricts.com/
http://www.littletongov.org/museum/
http://www.littletongov.org/
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