The following series of photographs demonstrates how industry promotes growth within an area.   Until the early 1940s, this area west of Denver, now part of Lakewood, was primarily used for dairy, poultry, and vegetable farming, and fruit orchards, and ranching.  

When the Denver Ordnance Plant, an ammunition manufacturing facility operated by Remington Arms was built in 1941, it became Lakewood's first major employer.  Throughout World War II, thousands of workers toiled there on around-the-clock shifts.  After the War, part of the Ordnance Plant was converted into office, warehouse, and laboratory space for several Federal agencies.   This smaller facility was called the Denver Federal Center.  

There was also a large housing construction boom which brought other businesses to the area.   This type of growth created a snowball effect and is why, in just over a 50 year period, such massive urbanization has occurred.

Before The Denver Federal Center 1930

Denver Federal Center 1950 - 1964

Denver Federal Center 1970

Denver Federal Center 1984

Denver Federal Center 1996

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey URL: http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/frontrange/virtour/fedcen.htm Contact: Carol Mladinich  mailto:csmladinich@usgs.gov Updated: 05/16/2001