Large Influx of Italian Immigrants

1880 - 1895

A large influx of Italian immigrants – primarily from Southern Italy – come to Highlands to work in the railroad. Many purchase land in the area for a nominal price and establish large gardens. Vegetables grown in these gardens are sold throughout the city, and peddled door to door in North Denver. “Little Italy” was full of small, one-room brick cottages along Osage, Navajo, Mariposa, Lipan and Inca. One early mercantile business was located along W 38th Ave at Jason.