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TIVOLI CLUB
(far left)
Circa 1887-1894
Jeff Smith collection |
(Click image to enlarge)
HE HISTORY OF SOAPY SMITH'S TIVOLI CLUB LOCATION, 1887-1973.
The business name of "Tivoli" remained until at least 1937!
Between 1887-1894 confidence man Jefferson Randolph Smith II, more commonly known by the alias of "Soapy" Smith, ran a saloon and gambling house he christened the "Tivoli Club," and the theories vary as to why the name "Tivoli" was chosen. One theory is that Jeff Smith picked the name "Tivoli" in honor of where he met Mary Eva Noonan, his future bride, at the Tivoli Beer Hall attached to "Big Ed" Chase's Palace Theater. Another theory is that as Ed Chase was Jeff's partner in the enterprise, that he pushed for the name "Tivoli."
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Palace Theatre
Tivoli Beer Hall
Managed by William Deutsch
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William "Henry Dutch" Deutsch was a Denver business property owner and business manager in the 1880s-1911. His story, as currently known, begins on March 6, 1881 when the Rocky Mountain News lists him as the manager of the Tivoli Beer Hall and gaming annex for Ed "Big Ed" Chase’s Palace Theatre. The Denver Republican for June 13, 1882 states that Deutsch left the Beer Hall, opening the Lyceum Vaudeville Theater in South Pueblo, Colorado. One year later, the Rocky Mountain News (June 3, 1883) states that he is proprietor of the Tivoli Variety Theatre in Pueblo and proprietor of the Tivoli Beer Hall in Denver. Deutsch obtains property in Denver on Seventeenth and Holladay streets (later named Market) in 1886. He builds the Deutsch block, where in February 1888 he receives permission to open a saloon at that location. In the 1887-1888 Denver city directory he is listed in the city directory as proprietor of the Alhambra Beer Hall at 1321 Seventeenth Street, on the southern end of his Deutsch block. In the 1889 directory he is listed as the manager of the Alhambra Beer Hall. Soapy Smith's Tivoli Club is located on the northern end of the Deutsch block. That Deutsch built and managed the Alhambra Beer Hall means that it is probable that Soapy Smith and the soap gang used the Hall in their criminal activities. At the time I was researching for my book I stopped researching the history of the building after 1895 as it was no longer Soapy's place. What I didn't know at the time, is that the business name of "Tivoli" continued on for at least another 42 years! Was it just a coincidence, or was it in honor to Soapy Smith?
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Denver 1908
"Tivoli" circled in red
Courtesy of Visit Denver |
(Click image to enlarge)
It all started in 2011 when I located a large map of Denver dated 1908. Zooming onto 17th and Market Streets where Soapy's Tivoli Club was located (see above pic with red circle) at 1337-1339 17th Street, the south-east corner of 17th and Market Streets, I found the name "TIVOLI" on top of the building. The address of 1337 refers to the upper floor and the lower floor was 1339. What sort of business ran there was a mystery to me at that time. Was it a saloon? A gambling house? A restaurant or a hotel? At first glance I surmised correctly that the individual that took over the Tivoli Club location kept the name, and that it continued to operate under that name. Upon closer inspection of the map I could see that the south section of the building (Deutsch's building) that held the Tivoli Club appeared to have been altered or rebuilt. At the time, based on this bird's-eye drawing, I believed that most of the original Deutsch block had been torn down except for the portion containing the hotel, but later found that the entire block had remained as it was when it was built in 1887. I believe the artist just made a minor mistake in making the "map." Although the map is dated 1908 many of the old buildings and businesses that Soapy knew, still existed so the map continues to be a great aid.
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Denver 1908
Full map
Courtesy of Visit Denver |
(Click image to enlarge)
I went through my files and to the Denver Public Library online and researched the Denver directories for the years 1896-1972. Unfortunately, not all the Denver directories are online so I have gaps in the history.
1888
In the 1888 Denver directory there are three names, all being members of the soap gang, listed as residing at 1337-1339 17th Street, but the name "Tivoli" does not appear until the 1889 directory is published.
1889
The directory lists 1337-1339 as "Tivoli Saloon, 17th, se. cor, Holladay." Note that "Holladay" Street was changed to Market street in 1889, but too late for the 1889 directory publication.
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Tivoli Saloon
1889 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver Library |
The directory lists two soap gang members residing upstairs at 1337 17th, John Bowers and William Lorimer, of whom I believe that his friends called him "Billy Larimer," after Larimer Street which crossed 17th Street. Soapy wrote a poem entitled "Billy Larimer" which was published upon Lorimer's passing in the Denver Mercury, March 31, 1894.
Lorimer ("Larimer") had died in his room located above the Tivoli where he worked as a bartender. The poem can be seen in Alias Soapy Smith: The Life and Death of a Scoundrel, pages 321-22.
That there were bedrooms upstairs is interesting, and even more so with members of the soap gang residing there including John Bowers, James Thornton, William Turner, Jeff Dunbar, Albert Hoffses and others. These rooms no doubt kept the gang close to the bunko action on the "streets of doom," the name given to 17th street between Wynkoop and Larimer Streets. It is also likely that the rooms were used for swindles and fake offices, as some of the names of the gang listed businesses located there.
In the directory, William Deutsch and his brother Robert are listed for 1339 17th Street, the downstairs saloon of the Tivoli Club. William is listed as the proprietor. William was the property owner and builder of this entire block building in 1887. He leased the corner property to Soapy Smith and Ed "Big Ed" Chase. During this period it was common for Soapy and Ed Chase to list other individuals as "proprietors," to protect the empires of the real proprietors, Jeff "Soapy" Smith and Edward "Big Ed" Chase. It did not fool the police or the newspapers, as every time the "Tivoli Club" was mentioned in the newspapers, Jeff Smith's name was included as the owner. It is possible that Deutsch was a side partner in the saloon and gambling house. Robert is listed as a barkeeper of the saloon. This is the first I have learned that William Deutsch had a brother, let alone one that was involved in the Tivoli Saloon business.
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William and Robert Deutsch
1890 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver Library |
1891
The 1891 Denver directory lists Soapy and Ed Chase. "Smith and Chase, (Jeff. R. Smith and Ed. Chase,) club rooms, 1337 17th." It is the first and only time Chase is listed as a partner. |
Smith and Chase club rooms
1891 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver Library |
Interesting to note is that the 1891 and 1892 directories list "Mrs. Sarah A. Clark, furnished rooms." In the latter 19th century madams advertised their businesses in various ways, and advertising "furnished rooms" included a soiled dove. If this is true then it is circumstantial evidence that Soapy may have been involved with prostitution, or at least rented out rooms to a madam.
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"Furnished rooms"
brothel or cribs?
1891 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver Public Library
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1892
In 1892 the name "Tivoli Club" is not listed in the city directory, and only soap gang member James Thornton is listed at 1339 17th Street.
1893
In 1893 the Tivoli Club rooms under Jefferson R. Smith is listed simply "club rooms."
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Jeff Smith club rooms
1893 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver Library |
1894
In 1894 the saloon is again listed under proprietorship of William Deutsch. However, every newspaper story about the Tivoli Club included its owner, Soapy Smith. In this year Soapy also opened other saloons, such as the Midway saloon located in the Chever Block on the N.E. corner of 17th and Larimer.
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William Deutsch saloon
1894 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver Library |
After 1894 Soapy's (Jeff R. Smith) name is no longer listed in the directory, or in association with the property at 1337-39 17th Street.
1895
In 1895 Soapy fled Denver during his and his brother, Bascomb's trial for the assault on John Hughes, manager of the Arcade restaurant, saloon and gaming house. When Bascomb was sentenced to one year in prison, Soapy didn't see any hope of staying out of prison himself, so he escaped Denver becoming a fugitive of the court.
As a partner in the Tivoli Club business, it is possible that Ed Chase, played a role in operating the Tivoli business in Soapy's absence, but only William Deutsch's name is listed between 1894-1911.
Not a lot is known of the relationship between Soapy and William Deutsch, but if it had been a bad one, I would think he would have ceased using "Tivoli" in the name. Was there a business reason to keep the name "Tivoli" until at least 1937? Did he keep the name for 40 more years in honor of his old friend and business associate, Jefferson Randolph Smith? Those that know the history of Soapy, via my book, Alias Soapy Smith: The Life and Death of a Scoundrel, know that Soapy was very good to his friends and those that worked for and with him, and they remained loyal in life, and after Soapy's death. So, could keeping the Tivoli name have been a tribute to his friend, Jeff "Soapy" Smith?
1896
In 1896 Deutsch renames the saloon as the Tivoli Sample Room.
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Tivoli Sample Room
1896 Denver directory
Courtesy of Denver library |
Deutsch had new business cards printed up, and his name also appears on a personalized glass whiskey flask, the label reading, “Fine Old Monogram whiskey, Bottled expressly for Wm. Deutsch, Tivoli Seventeenth and Market Street, Denver Colo.”
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Tivoli Sample Room
WM. DEUTSCH, PROP.
Courtesy, Geri Murphy collection |
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MONOGRAM WHISKEY
Tivoli (Sample Room)
Courtesy, Jerry Hazalet collection |
1905
In 1905, Miss Jennie Clauson is listed as the proprietor of The Tivoli at 1337 17th (upstairs). Was this another tactic to hide the criminal activities of the gamblers and bunko sharks who used the rooms upstairs for illegal operations and swindles? Was Miss Clauson using the upstairs section for a brothel? Or, was this the beginning of The Tivoli hotel?
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The Tivoli (hotel?)
1905 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library
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The Tivoli, lodgings
1905 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library |
In the same 1905 directory I found about 20 residents in the rooms, men and women, and no known bunko men living there. William Deutsch is still operating the Tivoli Sample Room downstairs.
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Tivoli Sample Room
1905 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library
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1907
William Deutsch is proprietor of the Tivoli Sample Room downstairs, while Fred G. Schwab operates The Tivoli upstairs. Another mention of The Tivoli in the 1907 directory reads "furnished rooms." Is it a real hotel, or are some (or all) of the rooms being used for a brothel?
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Tivoli Sample Room
1907 Denver directory
Courtesy of Denver library |
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The Tivoli (hotel) Fred G. Schwab, prop. 1907 Denver directory Courtesy of the Denver library |
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The Tivoli, furnished rooms
1907 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library |
1911
William Deutsch still lords over the Tivoli Sample Room, but it is the last year that his name is listed. Did he sell out? Did he pass away? I could not find a detailed biography for him.
The name of The Tivoli changes to Hotel Tivoli with the coming of a new proprietor, Robert Anderson.
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Tivoli Sample Room
1911 Denver directory
Courtesy of Denver library |
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Hotel Tivoli
Robert Anderson, prop.
1911 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library |
1915
The Hotel Tivoli is still in the directory. However the saloon is now under the new name, the Lion Liquor Company.
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Lion Liquor Co.
1339 17th
1915 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library |
1916-1936
For the next twenty years the Hotel Tivoli does not appear to change. Big change comes for the downstairs saloon as Prohibition (1920-1933) is enacted, ceasing any legal operating of a saloon business. The Tivoli Hotel is listed in the 1923 directory, but there is no mention of it in 1924, nor the addresses of 1337 and 1339 17th. This does not mean there was not a saloon "open" for the discreet drinker, only that the city directory naturally did not list it.Ed Chase died September 27, 1921, If he hadn't sold off his part of the business, and he didn't own the building, did he just let it revert back to William Deutsch at the start of Prohibition?
1937
1937 witnessed new proprietor's, probably new owners as well, for both upstairs and downstairs. Upstairs (1337 17th) is still the Tivoli Hotel but the listed proprietor is Hilma Nylander ("wid I W" [widow of Isaac W. Nylander]). In the 1940 census Hilma is listed as the manager, with 17 guests, meaning that with Hilma staying at the Tivoli, there were at least 18 rooms. Downstairs (1339 17th) has changed business to the Plecone and Sons restaurant, which may still have an attached saloon.
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Tivoli Hotel and Plecone Restaurant
1337 and 1339 17th
1937 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library |
The Denver directories between 1937-1950 are not online.
1950
The 1950 Denver phone book lists a name change for the hotel, bringing an end to the use of "Tivoli." The Denver Hotel is listed at 1337 17th, but no business is named or listed for the first floor at 1339 17th. Could a bar (saloon) or restaurant on the first floor have been combined with the new owner of the hotel upstairs, and under the same business name?
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Denver Hotel
1337 17th
1950 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library |
1972-1973
The next phone book I could access was for 1972. Ironically, there was no listing or phone number for the Denver Hotel, but photographs of the outside of the building clearly show a sign reading "Denver Hotel." At some point between 1937-1950 the name of "Tivoli" is removed. What other business names may have been used is unknown at this time.
In 1971 the Ginn Mill Bar was located on Larimer Street. In 1972-73 The Ginn Mill on Larimer is no longer listed and the Ginn Mill (restaurant?) and Ginn Mill Tavern opens at 1339 17th street, the location of the Tivoli saloon. Was the proprietor the same for both businesses? The Ginn Mill is later known as "Denver's Oldest Bar." So was it the oldest bar in Denver? How far back are they talking about? There was the break, during Prohibition when all saloons were supposed to be closed, thus not advertised. Did the location remain a saloon, right up to the year the building was razed? If that is the case, having opened in 1887, then yes, it would have been the oldest bar, had developers not razed the Deutsch block building.
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Ginn Mill
1339 17th
1972 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library |
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Ginn Mill Bar and Denver Hotel
1337-1339 17th Street
1973-75 Denver directory
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Tivoli Club
Dec 09, 2008
Jun 04, 2009
Jul 19, 2009
Jul 23, 2009
Aug 11, 2009
Jan 29, 2010
Apr 11, 2010
Feb 28, 2011
Jun 23, 2011
Nov 18, 2011
Feb 23, 2012
Jan 14, 2014
Dec 26, 2014
Dec 22, 2015
Oct 29, 2016
Oct 30, 2916
Feb 07, 2020
Jun 23, 2020
Aug 15, 2021
William Deutsch
Jan 02, 2009
Aug 15, 2021
The Tivoli Club: pp. 79-81, 89, 120, 124-29, 131-32, 138-39, 171-72, 176, 182-83, 185, 188, 190, 197, 247-48, 256-57, 260-64, 272-78, 283-84, 286-87, 324, 336, 338, 352, 358, 389, 420.
William Deutsch: pp. 80, 131-32, 248.
"There is but one good throw upon the dice, which is, to throw them away."
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