Rumaldo Ulibarri

In his book Smaldone The untold Story of an American Crime Family Dick Kreck chronicles the incredible story of North Denver’s' foremost organized crime family. His saga spans the turn of the century inception of bootlegging by mom and pop wine makers through the highly organized smuggling and distribution by professional criminals in the 1930s. A story mirrored in cities throughout the nation, but some how much more impactful knowing that it all took place in the very neighborhoods we live and work in today.

Using his veteran newspaperman style, Kreck has filled this book with photos and captivating sub-stories that will keep your attention. He gives specific locations of key events and addresses of speakeasies as if he was creating a scavengers’ map for amateur history buffs.

He provides a helpful prolog list of “Characters” to aid the reader in keeping track of who is who in the complex tale along with a detailed index of notes on each chapter.

A notable character was Joe Roma aka “Little Caesar”. An unassuming grocery store owner who also headed the Denver rackets until he was gunned down in the living room of his North Denver home in 1933.

The Building that oncehoused JoeRoma’s neighborhood grocery store is located at 3420 Quivas St. in the popular "LoHI" neighborhood. It has been converted to a residence.

Below: The cozy home where the “Little Caesar” met his end islocated at 3504 Vallejo St.

I recommend this book to fans of North Denver and history lovers everywhere.
If living in a history rich neighborhood like "LoHi" is your cup of tea...Here is a link to view our newest listing in this colorful area.
http://3530pecosstreet.ePropertySites.com




We know Denver. We know vintage and unique homes and how to help you buy and sell them. We want to be your Realtors. Call Today!
Rumaldo Ulibarri (303) 909-3449
The Bungalow Team at
Keller Williams Preferred Realty
www.thebungalowteam.com

Keller Williams Preferred Realty located at 11859 Pecos St. Suite 200 Westminster, CO is an official drop off location for the annual United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots toy drive. We will be collecting toys through December 10th. Office hours are M-Sat 8:00-5:00 and Sunday 10:00 - 5:00.

The Marines are asking for new, unwrapped toys. Here is a link for additional info on the types of toys they prefer www.toysfortots.org/default.asp

This outstanding charity has been helping children have a Merry Christmas since 1947 and carries on a proud tradition of helping others. Here is one of the original toy drive posters.

Rumaldo Ulibarri and The Bungalow Team at Keller Williams Preferred Realty

www.thebungalowteam.com

“There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.”
― Andrew Carnegie

The William H. Smiley branch of the Denver Public Library located at the southeast corner of Berkeley Park near 46th Ave and Tennyson St. in North Denver was built in 1918 with a donation from the Industrialist tycoon Andrew Carnegie.

As a self made man, Carnegie saw the free public library as a way for the working class to improve their lot in life through education and study. Between 1886 and 1919 he donated more than $40 million to build 1,679 Public Libraries across the nation.

Named for a popular Harvard trained educator and Superintendent of Denver Public Schools William H. Smiley, this branch was one of eight Carnegie libraries built in the Denver area.

Constructed in the English-Norman Cottage architectual style, the building along with Berkeley Park Historic District is included on the National Register of Historic Places.

For the past 93 years this wonderful library has made the Berkeley neighborhood a great place to live and learn.

Rumaldo Ulibarri and the Bungalow Team at Keller Williams Preferred Realty-We know vintage homes and how to help you buy and sell them. Visit our website at www.thebungalowteam.com

To view our newest listing in the Berkeley neighborhood click this link

To view vintage photos of the William H. Smiley library click this link

To view more info about Andrew Carnegie click this link

Looking for kitschy collectibles? Lovers of the Atomic Ranch / Mid Century Modern / California Contempory style in the Denver area have a great place to shop. modmood / Retro Consignment Located at 7700 W. 44th Avenue in Wheat Ridge, CO combines an ultra hip, modern interior design gallery with one of the areas best vintage consignment shops. On the day I visited there was plenty of furniture and lighting at good prices.

In the 1950's and 60's American architects and designers were influnced by the atomic age,the space race and the cold war. The metro area has several enclaves of homes built in this period style. Homes range from modest starters to spectacular dream homes.

Notable Mid Century neighborhoods include

Krisana Park

Arapaho Acres

We know vintage homes and how to help you buy and sell them. We want to be your Realtors. Call today! Rumaldo Ulibarri and The Bungalow Team at Keller Williams Preferred Realty (303) 909-3449

In the years following World War 1 Americans became enchanted with the exotic Orient. In 1924 the silent film classic "The Thief of Bagdad" staring Douglas Fairbanks was instrumental in fueling this fascination. Architectural design of theaters and public buildings soon began reflecting this developing taste. This style of Architecture called "Moorish Revival" is evident in North Denver's Oriental Theater located at 4335 W. 44th Ave in the Berkeley neighborhood. Built in 1927, the theater is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and continues to be a host to a mix of campy films, Live music and Comedy shows. My grandmother lived just a few blocks north of the theater in the 1960's. I fondly remember a Saturday afternoon at the Oriental Theater watching the
zany antics of Frankie and Annette in "Beach Blanket Bingo". It was a movie that did not have the elaborate hand painted Moorish sets and backdrops which had inspired 1920's America, however watching it in such a wonderful movie theater still felt like a magic carpet ride. Do you have any memories of a neighborhood Theater? Please feel free to share them with us. Thanks, Rumaldo-

Rumaldo Ulibarri and the Bungalow Team at Keller Williams Preferred Realty. We know vintage homes and how to help you buy and sell them. We want to be your Realtors. Call Today! (303) 909-3449