San Rafael Historic District
By Jessica Carcoana · Updated September 2026
The smaller NRHP-listed historic district in the northeastern section of Five Points, 339 contributing buildings platted in 1874, 1882, and 1886 by real estate developer Henry A. Dubois Jr., bounded by Downing Street, Washington Street, East 20th Avenue, and East 26th Avenue. The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places under reference 94001468. Most homes are 1880s–1910s Italianate, Queen Anne, and Classic Cottage Victorians on narrow 25-foot platted lots, interspersed with 1920s brick bungalows. St. Ignatius Loyola at 2301 York Street (a 1923–1924 Gothic Revival brick landmark) is individually listed on the NRHP as of 1994 and is part of the district's architectural inventory. The eastern edge of San Rafael borders City Park, Denver's largest and most prominent urban park, which houses the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Pricing runs slightly above Curtis Park due to proximity to City Park and the larger intact Victorian stock.
At a glance
Community Anchors
- Five Points Historic Cultural District (City of Denver designation 2002, renamed 2015)
- Curtis Park Historic District (NRHP 1975, expanded 1983; Denver Landmark Districts A-H)
- San Rafael Historic District (NRHP 94001468, 339 contributing buildings)
- Ballpark Neighborhood Historic District (2002)
- Rossonian Hotel (2650 Welton St, NRHP 1995, reopening 2028)
- Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library (2401 Welton St)
- Black American West Museum (3091 California St)
- Glenarm Recreation Center (2800 Glenarm Pl, originally opened 1924 as the Glenarm Branch YMCA serving Denver's African American community)
- Mestizo-Curtis Park (1868, Denver's first public park)
- Sonny Lawson Park (1972 dedication, honoring Denver pharmacist and district executive Sonny Lawson)
- City Park (adjacent to San Rafael via York Street, 330 acres, Denver Zoo, Museum of Nature & Science)
- St. Ignatius Loyola (2301 York St, 1923-1924 Gothic Revival, NRHP 1994)
- Coors Field (1995, Colorado Rockies)
- McGregor Square (2021)
- Dairy Block
- Great Divide Brewing (2201 Arapahoe St, 1994)
- Wynkoop Brewing (1634 18th St, 1988, Colorado's oldest brewpub)
- Spangalang Brewery (2736 Welton St)
- Welton Street Cafe
- Fifth Coffee House
- First Friday Jazz Hop
- Hi Points Festival (annual, successor to Five Points Jazz Festival 2003-2024)
- Hattie McDaniel affordable condo project (639 29th St, under construction)
- Alexan Arapahoe Square (13 stories, 355 units, 22nd & Welton)
- Renaissance Stout Street Lofts (78 units, 2014, affordable housing)
- Legacy Lofts (98 units, affordable housing)
- Whittier ECE-8 (DPS)
- Wyatt Academy (charter)
- Manual High School (DPS)
- Denver Montclair International School (private)
- Union Station (RTD commuter rail, light rail hub, Amtrak)
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Where it sits
Inside Five Points. Approximate area.
Quick answersQuestions about San Rafael Historic District
Where is San Rafael Historic District?
San Rafael Historic District is in Five Points, close to the Five Points center. The map on this page shows its approximate location.
When was San Rafael Historic District built?
Homes in San Rafael Historic District were built between 1874 and 1910 (historic).
What amenities does San Rafael Historic District have?
San Rafael Historic District amenities include NRHP 94001468 (National Register of Historic Places), 339 contributing buildings across the district, originally platted in 1874, 1882, and 1886 by Henry A. Dubois Jr, bounded by Downing St (E), Washington St (W), E 20th Ave (S), E 26th Ave (N), adjacent to City Park (eastern edge), St. Ignatius Loyola (2301 York St, 1923–1924 Gothic Revival brick landmark, individually NRHP 1994), historic brick architecture inventory, Italianate, Queen Anne, and Classic Cottage Victorians, no HOA on most blocks, and mature street trees.
How big are the lots in San Rafael Historic District?
Typical lots in San Rafael Historic District run 3,125–4,700 sq ft.
Which schools are near San Rafael Historic District?
Schools near San Rafael Historic District include Whittier ECE-8 (DPS), Wyatt Academy (charter), East High School (DPS, adjacent to City Park), and Manual High School (DPS). Verify enrollment eligibility by address.
What is the nearest light-rail station to San Rafael Historic District?
How high is San Rafael Historic District?
San Rafael Historic District sits at about 5,250 feet above sea level.
Parks and Schools
- City Park (adjacent, 330 acres, Denver Zoo, Museum of Nature & Science)
- Sonny Lawson Park
- Whittier ECE-8 (DPS)
- Wyatt Academy (charter)
- East High School (DPS, adjacent to City Park)
- Manual High School (DPS)
Verify school assignment by address with the district. Attendance boundaries do not follow neighborhood lines.
Commute and Access
- Downing Street (east edge)
- Washington Street (west edge)
- E 20th Avenue (south edge)
- E 26th Avenue (north edge)
- York Street
- I-70 (10 min via York)
- I-25 (8 min via 20th or Park Ave)
Transit in Five Points: RTD L Line light rail, 5 street-running stations along Welton (25th & Welton, 27th & Welton, 29th & Welton, 30th & Downing, 38th & Blake) · RTD 38th & Blake Station (A Line to DIA, N Line) · Union Station (RTD commuter rail, light rail hub, Amtrak, 10 min walk from Ballpark) · RTD Bus Route 43 (Welton corridor) · RTD Bus Route 44 (Downing St) · RTD Bus Route 24 (York St) · RTD Bus Route 20 (20th Ave) · RTD Bus Route 0 (Broadway) · Cherry Creek Trail (southern edge)
Other Neighborhoods in Five Points
About This Profile
This profile of San Rafael Historic District was researched in April 2026. It was last reviewed in September 2026. The price range is an estimate built from comparable nearby neighborhoods rather than from direct listings. Amenity coverage is strong, with several public sources confirming the list. NRHP 94001468 (339 contributing buildings, platted 1874/1882/1886 by Henry A. Dubois Jr.), St. Ignatius Loyola (1923-1924 Gothic Revival, NRHP 1994), boundaries verified. Pricing estimated from nearby Curtis Park comps + City Park proximity premium.
Data sourced from direct and indirect online resources. Details are subject to change over time as we continue to research this area.