Bike tour through historic landmarks added to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration in Denver

DENVER — The 2023 Denver Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Marade included a motorbike tour alongside a number of places that commemorate Black historical past within the metropolis.

The celebration, which mixes a parade and march, has grown to one of many largest occasions that honors Dr. King within the nation.

This yr, it was even greater with the addition of a motorbike tour throughout historic landmarks in Denver to inform the story of those that participated within the battle for justice, equality and fairness.

A few of the stops included Manuel Excessive College, the Blair-Caldwell African American Analysis Library, the Black American West Museum, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and Historic Fireplace Station No. 3.

Bike tour by historic landmarks added to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration in Denver

Assistant Fireplace Chief Greg Pixley gave Denver7 a tour of the firehouse, positioned within the coronary heart of Denver’s 5 Factors neighborhood.

“It represents an period, time, that’s far past us now,” stated Pixley. “We cherish the historical past that Station No. 3 brings when it comes to what Denver is and what Denver represented at a really darkish time in our historical past.”

Historic Fireplace Station No. 3 in 5 Factors is the smallest and oldest lively fireplace station in Denver. It was a segregated station and the one one the place Black firefighters might work till 1957.

“Sadly, it lasted all the way in which ’til 1957,” stated Pixley. “And round that point, this firehouse was devoted particularly to our Black and African American firefighters. Round 1957, we began integration. And it wasn’t till the mid 60s we had been fully built-in as a fireplace division. Now issues have considerably modified in that period of time, however the historical past surrounding Station No. 3 has not modified.”

The assistant fireplace chief says the inside seems to be the identical because it did years in the past.

“Similar setting, kitchen, bunk room, residing area. This is similar space, similar design, the place firefighters would dwell in and prepare dinner in,” he stated.

The firehouse continues to be embraced by the neighborhood and neighborhood.

“It is part of our historical past — a destructive half however essential half for us to be taught from. The delight of this firehouse within the 5 Factors space has lasted ceaselessly and nonetheless has an incredible quantity of respect amongst our neighborhood members,” Pixley stated.

Pixley stated the Denver Fireplace Division is proud to be part of the Marade, a big occasion that honors the legacy of Dr. King.

“We recognize what it represents. We recognize what Dr. Martin Luther King represented when it comes to guaranteeing that everyone has large equality,” he stated.