A Part of Denver's History
Rail in Denver
While the founding of Denver is tied closely to the discovery of Gold and Silver, it was Denver’s connection to the Transcontinental Railway that allowed Denver to thrive.
The establishment of manufacturing, agriculture processing and wholesale trades, all served by the railroads, afforded Denver a more stable economy that flourished in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The railyards of Denver’s Cherry Creek and Platte River area became a major hub supporting these industries and Denver’s rapid growth to one of our country’s largest cities.
The Delgany Railroad Bridge
The Delgany Railroad Bridge was built in 1891 by the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, now part of the BNSF, crossing the Cherry Creek at Chestnut Street. The bridge was moved to its current location at Delgany Street in 1923 when a larger, 4-track bridge was constructed at Chestnut Street.
Over the years Delgany Bridge was abandoned and eventually repurposed as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge serving a bustling section of the city.
A historical engineering record was completed in 1988 and describes the early history of the Delgany Bridge and why it is significant for Denver.
