May is Denver's rainiest month and in 1864, there was a disastrous flood. In May 1864, Cherry Creek flooded, taking out structures in the heart of the new town, including the Larimer Street bridge, the Blake Street bridge, city hall, and the offices of the Rocky Mountain News. Cherry Creek overran its banks six more times in the next fifty years. “After midnight the creek suddenly became an angry roaring torrent that exercised its long-reserved powers of devastation without warning. It swept down upon and through the town like a besom of destruction; through the collection of dwellings, saloons and business establishments that stood directly in its course, it tore its way, and daylight on the morning of the 20th revealed the extent of the mischief it had wrought.”
- Courtesy “Dr. Colorado” Tom Noel.
- Photo: Denver Public Library (https://history.denverlibrary.org/news/denver/may-1864-brought-denvers-first-big-flood%E2%80%94and-swept-away-much-more)