The sound of jazz music emanated several blocks from Larimer Square on Saturday afternoon, drawing Denverites to the historic city district.

What they found was a celebration for the woman who made the city block the historic landmark it is today. Located in the very area she helped save from destruction was the inaugural Dana Day, a tribute to the life and legacy of Dana Crawford.

Crawford, who died in January at the age of 93, pioneered Larimer Square’s redevelopment in the early 1960s, helping save what was then dubbed “skid row” and turning it into the city’s first historic district.

Denver preservationist Dana Crawford dies

She also played a large role in the renovation of Union Station and is credited with the redevelopment of over 800,000 square feet of historic properties in Denver.

“If you think of some of your favorite places in the city right now, whether you sit outside of Union Station and have a drink or walk through that famous lobby into what is now the Crawford Hotel, those are all places she envisioned, she built, she willed to happen,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston in a speech onstage Saturday afternoon.

A stage was set up on Larimer Street for her celebration Saturday, with tents set up on either side selling food and drinks to passers-by, many of whom indulged in plastic cups of beer or wine in an attempt to stay cool under the beating sun.

On the stage, a trio of bands provided a melodic backdrop to the event, capturing the attention of many in the square, even those who did not know about the event previously.

“I was just walking through, I’m actually going to the Cirque du Soleil show, but I figured I’d walk around here before I meet my friends,” said Leah Glidden, seated at a table near the front of the stage. “I had no idea this was going on.”

Glidden was not alone. Many who stopped to listen to the music that spoke to The Denver Gazette either did not know the event was going on or did not know of Crawford’s significance in the Denver community. 

But for a woman who often tried to avoid the spotlight, despite her noteworthy accomplishments, the lack of notoriety, even at her celebration, made sense.

After its renovation had been completed, Crawford objected to Union Station’s hotel being renamed in her honor. She also initially declined to let longtime Denver Post reporter Mike McPhee write a book about her life, relenting only because she wanted her grandchildren to know about her work.

Denver celebrates life of famed preservationist Dana Crawford at Union Station

“She wanted to create a vibrant sense of place in a city that was busily erasing its own heritage,” said Crawford’s son, Jack, while giving a speech onstage Saturday afternoon. “She started a movement to preserve the character of the old and influence the design of the new.”

Crawford’s 94th birthday would have been on Tuesday.