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On Feb. 7, 2002, Denver City Council approved the Welton St. Cultural/ Historic District for landmark status. It was the culmination of 18 months of work on the application and a tribute to years of Denver history. One of the most unique aspects of the Welton St. designation is that it is the first time a neighborhood was made a historic district based on history and geography rather than the depth of its architectural significance.

The Five Points area included in the Welton St. District was a major hub of African American commerce during segregation as well as a mecca for jazz. This self-contained community had restaurants, real estate companies, groceries and savings and loans that served the African American community.

According to Sharon Nunnally, owner of Specialty Architectural Products and consultant to the City of Denver on the Welton St. District, "We selected seven contributing buildings for the historic district on the basis that they are still very intact architecturally and had the deepest history of buildings in the corridor." Two of these buildings, Douglas Undertaking and Fire Station #3, were already landmarks. The other five include: The Rossonian Hotel, 2701 Welton (Atlas Drug), Wise-Harris Building, Alta Cousins Terrace and the original Fire Station #3.

Nunnally, chair of the Landmark Commission for four years, researched the Welton St. District and prepared the application. "I got involved because the Mayor was interested in having a historic district that celebrates African Americans and their contribution to Denver." Nunnally says that in terms of research, she benefited from much that had been done years before. It was a matter of compiling material and making it suitable for the application.

The application covers the Welton St. District from 1920-1950. It explains how this residential neighborhood evolved into a commercial area, altering the fabric of the neighborhood over time. Nunnally is pleased at the progress that's been made. She is now working on a markers program for the corridor. "I wanted this to become an official part of the annals of Denver's preservation community. Welton St. is a very exciting addition to the Landmark districts."