Daniels and Fisher Tower (David Shankbone)
Downtown Denver was the center of the American West department store world in the early 20th Century. Numerous stores lined 16th Street, creating a shopping district that drove each store owner to try to set themselves apart from the crowd.
The Daniels and Fisher department store at 16th Street and Arapahoe Street was anchored by the clock tower that remains as an icon in the Denver skyline. The department store itself was torn down in the 1970′s and the current Tabor Center stands in its place. The line of the original department store’s roof can be seen on the west facade of the tower, a reminder of the past that stirs the curiosity of visitors unfamiliar with its history.
The D&F Tower is modeled after St. Mark’s Campanile in Venice. The 325-foot tall Renaissance Revival tower was designed by architects George Williamson and Frederick Sterner in 1910 and, at the time of its construction, it was believed to be the 3rd tallest building in America. The building’s facade consists primarily of brick and includes terra cotta features and highlights. The clock still keeps the time, but occasionally needs to be helped along to stay accurate.
The Daniels and Fisher Tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places, 40 years ago today, December 3, 1969.
