A Little Bit of History

Known as the Father of Geometry, Euclid was a Greek mathematician who lived around 300 B.C. and wrote the definitive book on geometry called The Elements. This tome influenced the development of mathematics
for over 2000 years.

Built in 1883 as a house for Dr. Byron Albertus Wheeler, Euclid Hall has been home to the Masons, the Colorado Women's Relief Corps, The Cootie Club, Maudie's Flea Market and is even rumored to have once been the very fancy headquarters of a brothel catering to government officials, law enforcement and members of the media. Perhaps its most memorable occupant was Soapy Smith's Eagle Bar which operated from 1977 through the end of the century. Named after legendary con man and early Denver personality Soapy Smith, the bar was a long-time gathering place for good food and live entertainment.

Denver's City Hall was right across the street and it was in front of Euclid Hall where the City Hall War of 1894 was fought when Governor Davis H. Waite tried to replace the corrupt police and fire commissioners who refused to leave. Waite called in 400 militia troops and they were challenged at City Hall by a force lead by Soapy Smith, a hefty case of dynamite and other leaders and members of the underworld. The standoff attracted more than 20,000 people to this corner. The governor stood down, took his case to court and lost, thus the underworld prevailed and skid row remained.