During the 1930s-1950s, the vibrant Conejos Neighborhood was made up of a few dozen tight-knit families who described themselves as Una Familia Grande – One Big Family. This story belongs to them and is told in their own words. The photographs, artifacts and memories on exhibit have been painstakingly gathered over the past two years and are a reflection of their generosity and community pride.

For over a century, the Conejos Neighborhood was home to generations of working class families. Platted in the 1880s as the “Monument Addition,” the four block long neighborhood was located south of Colorado Avenue, north of the Martin Drake Power Plant, east of Monument Creek, and west of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad tracks.

Long ignored, the area eventually suffered from blight, neglect and indifference and was torn down and replaced with America the Beautiful Park. Today, the only original building still standing is the historic Spanish Gospel Mission, now known as Chadbourn Community Church. However, as one former resident shared,“…although the neighborhood no longer exists, the spirit and memories of Conejos live within us.” This exhibit is dedicated to everyone who called Conejos home.