In 1927, an employee for the Colorado and Southern Railroad named Harvey Larsen purchased 2.5 acres of land east of Federal Boulevard, a rutted two-lane road leading south into Denver. Because his parcel of land adjacent to Federal Boulevard was high enough to overlook Denver, Larsen named his property and the surrounding area Federal Heights. Traffic along the boulevard eventually increased, and Larsen opened the North Federal Heights Grocery and Supply Station.Federal Heights could claim 34 residents by the late 1930s, and the residents began to discuss civic incorporation as a solution to the lack of an adequate water supply. A Committee to Incorporate was formed, an election on incorporation was held on May 28, 1940, the measure passed 32 to 2, and the necessary paperwork was filed with the state government on June 19th. Mr. Pat Lombardi was the first mayor of Federal Heights, and the water supply which was the focal point of the town's incorporation was tapped with Well Number One.
Federal Heights progressed from there, even acquiring four-runway Federal Heights Airport at the intersection of
West 100th Avenue and Federal Boulevard. Also known as Ruston Field, the Federal Heights Airport was the first privately owned airport in
the state of Colorado and was a training site for hundreds of pilots during World War II. Due to competition from Jefferson County Airport
and the encroachment of local development projects, the airport discontinued operations in 1961.
Sources: ci.federal-heights.co.us, city-data.com |