This column tells the stories of the people whose faces appear on “A Colorado Panorama: A People’s History,” a two-block-long tile mural on the southeast side of the Colorado Convention Center. Inspired by Howard Zinn’s groundbreaking book, “A People’s History of the United States,” the mural was created by artist Barbara Jo Revelle in 1989 to celebrate those who rarely make it into the history books, but who have nonetheless had a profound impact on the history of our state. This week we’re featuring profiles of Jack Dempsey and Mary Elitch Long.
William H. “Jack” Dempsey – World Heavyweight Champion, (1895-1983)
Born in Manassa to a poor family, Jack Dempsey left home at age 16. To earn spare cash, he entered saloons and challenged all comers to fight him. Seeing his natural talent for boxing, his brother Bernie entered him in a match in Cripple Creek. Young Dempsey knocked his opponent down nine times before the referee stopped the fight. He went on to win his next six bouts, earning himself the nickname “Manassa Mauler.”
After WWI he returned to the ring, and in 1919 went up against Jess Willard, knocking him down seven times to win the World Heavyweight Championship. He successfully defended his title five times before losing to Gene Tunney in 1926. He lost to Tunney again in a rematch in Chicago the following year, after which he retired from the ring. After his boxing career, he opened a successful restaurant in Manhattan, acted in the movies, and fought exhibition bouts nationwide.
Mary Elitch Long – Founder of Elitch’s Gardens, 1856-1936
At age 16, Mary Hauk fell in love with actor John Elitch. They eloped to Colorado and settled in Denver where they opened the Elitch Palace Restaurant. To keep it stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables, they bought a farm north of town which they began developing into a zoo and entertainment complex. After the first season, however, John died of pneumonia, forcing Mary to sell off a major portion of the venue’s stock.
She remained the park’s administrator, and within three years regained control of the enterprise. Under her leadership, Elitch’s became a concert venue and the site of America’s first summer stock theater. She married businessman John Long and together they ran the park until she sold it in 1926. As per the contract, she was allowed to live out her remaining years in a cottage on the grounds, on a stipend of $50 a month.
Week One: Barney L. Ford and Agnes Smedley
Week Two: Benjamin Barr Lindsey and Anne Bassett
Week Three: William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody and Clara Brown
Week Four: William “Big Bill” Haywood and Anne Evans
Week Five: Buckskin Charley and “Babe” Didrikson-Zaharias
Week Six: Antonia Brico and Chief Black Kettle
Week Seven: Casimiro Barela and Daisy Anderson
Week Eight: Chogyam Trungpa and Ellen Elliot Jack
Week Nine: Elizabeth Hickok Robbins Stone and Chin Lin Sou
Week Ten: Emily Griffith and Dalton Trumbo
Week Eleven: Chipeta and Wallace Werner
Week Twelve: Eve Drewelowe and Davis Waite
Week Thirteen: Dr. Carl J. Johnson and Florence Sabin
Week Fourteen: Damon Runyon and Emma Langdon
Week Fifteen: Ellison Onizuka and Golda Meir
Week Sixteen: John Lewis Dyer and Helen Hunt Jackson
Week Seventeen: Edward Berthoud and Frances Wisebart Jacobs
Week Eighteen: Hattie McDaniel and Enos Mills
Week Nineteen: Isabella Bird and Francis Schlatter
Week Twenty: Laura Gilpin and Henry O. Wagoner
Week Twenty-One: Justina Ford and George Norlin
Week Twenty-Two: George Bent and Julia Archibald Holmes
Week Twenty-Three: Herbert Bayer and Mabel Barbee Lee
Week Twenty-Four: Martha Maxwell and Chief Ignacio
Week Twenty-Five: Isom Dart and Marvel Crosson