DPL Archives

Historic Colorado photos: Burnis McCloud documents Denver’s African-American community

Burnis McCloud’s work represents an era that was otherwise missed by cameras, and his perspective reveals a deep intimacy.

Kevin Beaty

Oct. 28, 2016, 11:35 a.m.

Members of a teenage jazz band stand on a stage at a dance in Denver, Colorado. Some of the African American (Black) musicians have their hair styled in short Afros and wear thick framed black glasses. The saxophone players wear turtlenecks, suit jackets, and thick gold chains. Shows saxophones, base guitar, lead guitar, and drums. Women in white full length formal dresses and men in tuxedos are in the distance. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-134) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — Members of a teenage jazz band stand on a stage at a dance in Denver, Colorado. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-134)

At Denverite we’ve been privileged to be allowed by the Denver Public Library to dive into their Western History Collection, a massive archive of Denver and Colorado history with photographs stretching back as far as the mid 1800s. But in delving into the library’s collections one cannot help but notice a lack of diversity in older images.

A group of African American (Black) men and women revelers gather at a bar on New Years Eve in Denver, Colorado. Many of the men wear party hats. One man has a cigar in his mouth and the room is filled with smoke. A bottle of champagne and empty glasses are on the bar. Decorations hang from the ceiling. Circa 1965. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-199) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — A group of men and women revelers gather at a bar on New Years Eve in Denver, Colorado. Circa 1965. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-199)

Thank goodness for Burnis “Mac” McCloud, a prolific documentarian of African-American life in Denver whose work spans an impressive 40+ years. DPL researcher Randel Metz says in a blog post that McCloud’s work “stands alone” in its complete documentation of this community and time.

PREVIOUSLY IN THE HISTORIC COLORADO PHOTO SERIES: Donald Kemp | Sandra Dallas | Harry Mellon Rhoads | Charles Lillybridge

Men, women, and children stand near a building during the George Washington Carver Day Nursery dedication at 2260 Humboldt Street in the City Park West neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. Burnis McCloud stands by a camera near the group. 1966. (Clarence F. Holmes/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/X-22345) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — Men, women and children stand near a building during the dedication of the George Washington Carver Day Nursery. Burnis McCloud stands by a camera near the group. 1966. (Clarence F. Holmes/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/X-22345)

Photography is an inherently biased medium. Each frame is literally the perspective of the person behind the camera. This makes it all the more crucial that a member of a community is able to document it from within. Not only does McCloud’s work represent an era that was otherwise missed by cameras, his canon goes deeper, presenting a perspective that could only be captured by a deep intimacy.

A group of African American (Black) girls and women in Girl Scout uniforms stand in formation to receive badges. A white woman in a dress uniform pins a badge reading: "Be Prepared" on a young girls sash. Other badges indicate that the girls belong to Troop 657, Metro Denver. Between 1940 and 1950. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-160) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — A group of girls and women in Girl Scout uniforms stand in formation to receive badges. A woman in a dress uniform pins a badge reading: "Be Prepared" on a young girl's sash. Between 1940 and 1950. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-160)

According to Metz, McCloud was introduced to photography at 10 years old when he found camera pieces in a junkyard. The owner of a local camera shop said he would teach the boy to use the camera if he could put it together.

McCloud moved to Denver in 1930 and worked in the State Capitol building, a position that gave him access to a number of high profile subjects like Dwight Eisenhower and Harry Truman.

Two African American women and a man look at a file in a paneled room in Denver, Colorado. The women wear dresses with three quarter length sleeves. The man wears a suit and tie. A sign reading: "Owl Club" leans on a window in the distance. Between 1955 and 1965. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-218) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — Two women and a man look at a file in a paneled room in Denver, Colorado. A sign reading: "Owl Club" leans on a window in the distance. Between 1955 and 1965. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-218)

His body of work also includes intimate images of Martin Luther King Jr. and a very young, dapper Jesse Jackson.

But McCloud’s work is most interesting in its day-to-day depictions of life, ranging from Manual High School proms to jazz-era nightlife.

The Prom Queen is crowned during Manual High School's 1961 prom. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/WH1128) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — The Prom Queen is crowned during Manual High School's 1961 prom. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/WH1128)

The Western History Collection possesses around 100,000 negatives from McCloud’s body of work, 3,500 prints and at least one box of “audio-visual materials.”

Metz says about 60 percent of McCloud’s work has descriptors attached and asks that if you see someone in the collection that you know, to please fill them in.

Two men, one is African American, stand inside a Duckwall variety store. Sunglasses, tricycles, handbags, irons, lamps are all for sale. between 1950 and 1970. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-92) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — Two men stand inside a Duckwall variety store. Sunglasses, tricycles, handbags, irons and lamps are all for sale. Between 1950 and 1970. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-92)

An African American (Black) couple talk in a large, opulent room in an unknown location, Denver, Colorado. The woman is seated on a couch and wears a formal party dress. She gestures with one hand and looks into the face of a man who leans on the arm of the couch. He wears a tuxedo. The couple is at a function associated with a social club identified as H.D.C. S.A.-S.S. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-166) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — A couple talks in a large, opulent room in an unknown location, Denver, Colorado. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-166)

A group of African American men and women, members of the Kings and Queens Social Club, pretend to be drunk at a park in the mountains near Denver, Colorado. They drape their arms around each other and stand in awkward poses. Two of the people hold Budweiser beer cans in their hands, and one man dangles a cigarette from his mouth. The ground is littered with pots, pans, a coffee pot, and papers. Between 1955 and 1965. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-183) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — A group of men and women, members of the Kings and Queens Social Club, pretend to be drunk at a park in the mountains near Denver, Colorado. Between 1955 and 1965. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-183)

View of a Links Club function. An African American family sit in a theater in Denver, Colorado. A man, woman and young boy are seated in row "G" in the crowded audience. The man holds a hat on his lap. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-185) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — View of a Links Club function. A family sits in a theater in Denver, Colorado. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-185)

An African American (Black) couple sit in chairs in a large opulent room in an unknown location in Denver, Colorado. The woman wears a party dress and speaks to a man dressed in a tuxedo, they both hold drinks. A sign in the distance reads H.D.C., identified as a social club. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-165) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — A couple sits in chairs in a large opulent room in an unknown location in Denver, Colorado. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-165)

View of a Gay Dutchess club (The Gay Dutchess) function. An African American couple sit at a table in a bar of club in Denver, Colorado. The woman wears a party dress and the man wears a tuxedo. Cigarettes and beer bottles are on the table. A white waitress carries a tray and beer bottles near the table. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-151) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — View of a Gay Dutchess club function. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-151)

Night view of Harry Hoffman's Cut Price Liquor store at Curtis and 18th (Eighteenth) Streets in Denver, Colorado. Windows display bottles of Calvert whiskey; neon signs read "Harry Hoffman's" "Liquor" and "Free Parking." Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-3) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — Night view of Harry Hoffman's Cut Price Liquor store at Curtis and 18th (Eighteenth) Streets in Denver, Colorado. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-3)

View of an Altruistic Club function. A group of African American women wear white formal dresses and pose in front of a stage in Denver, Colorado. The women may be attending a party or dance at the Disabled American Veterans hall. Members of a jazz band are in the distance. Circa 1955. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-94) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — View of an Altruistic Club function. A group of women wear white formal dresses and pose in front of a stage in Denver, Colorado. The women may be attending a party or dance at the Disabled American Veterans hall. Circa 1955. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-94)

View of an Owlettes Club function. A group of African American (Black) women sit at a table in a dining room in Denver, Colorado. One woman wears a bold polka dot dress with a full skirt and another wears a short sleeve, shirtwaist style dress with a full skirt. The table is set and a piece of chicken sits on each plate. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-202) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — View of an Owlettes Club function. A group of women sit at a table in a dining room. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-202)

View of a Links Club function. African American men and women gather for tea in the living room of a house in Denver, Colorado. A seated woman serves tea from a silver service. Between 1940 and 1950. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-189) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — View of a Links Club function. Men and women gather for tea in the living room of a house in Denver. Between 1940 and 1950. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-189)

Two African American couples, members of the La Lampions Club, sit at a table in a dance hall in Denver, Colorado. The men wear tuxedos, and the women wear party dresses. Drinks and cigarettes are on the table. A large script "A" is painted on the wall in the distance. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/https://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15330coll22/id/59520/rec/6) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — Two couples, members of the La Lampions Club, sit at a table in a dance hall in Denver, Colorado. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-184)

PREVIOUSLY IN THE HISTORIC COLORADO PHOTO SERIES: Donald Kemp | Sandra Dallas | Harry Mellon Rhoads | Charles Lillybridge

Denver Sheriff Elias Diggins attends a Denver Police Academy graduation in their Central Park training facility. March 31, 2023.

Mayor Mike Johnston re-appoints Hancock-era Sheriff Elias Diggins and Fire Chief Desmond G. Fulton

City Council will make the final decision.

A protest for Arthur Janis on Aurora's University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Nov. 9, 2023.

UCHealth says staff cut Indigenous man’s hair out of medical necessity. The family disputes the hospital’s claim.

“They were lying. There’s no breakdown of communication. It is just lies."

A man secures a tent in an encampment on Zuni Street, where migrants who had stayed in a city-contracted motel relocated after they had to leave the facility. Oct. 28, 2023.

Friday’s snowy forecast leads to overnight shelter activation

With snow and low temperatures, the city will provide overnight accommodations from 7 p.m. Friday night to 7 a.m. Saturday morning.

Holiday lights in the alley behind Denver’s Milk Market on Dec. 9, 2021.

Things to do in Denver this weekend, Dec. 8-10

Enjoy taking photos with Santa, decorating holiday cookies, or a Denver Nuggets game this weekend.

A chilly day on the 16th Street Mall. March 10, 2022.

Here’s what Denver might do with another $1.15 million on the 16th Street Mall

A city council committee approved a contract that would continue the redesign of the area.

Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas, left, and Commander Matt Clark brief the media at Denver Police Headquarters. Thursday, December 7, 2023.

Denver police shot and injured a man who they worried was reaching for a gun they’d seen in his waistband

The man has been released from the hospital and charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm.

People who've been living in an encampment around 20th and Champa Streets downtown wait in line to board a bus to a new hotel shelter in Central Park. Dec. 7, 2023.

Denver is starting to move 200 people from a 20th and Curtis encampment to a converted hotel

It's part of the city's attempt to move 1,000 people indoors by the end of the year.

Migrant arrivals and flu season are straining Denver Health’s resources

The hospital is always busy this time of year, but a surge of patients from other countries means logistical and financial challenges.

The annual Christkindl Market at Civic Center Park. Dec. 4, 2022.

Holiday markets and other festive family events in Denver this weekend

Markets in Five Points, Cherry Creek, West Colfax and DTC all happening this weekend.

Tristan Sanders, Denver's director of community and behavioral health, sits in on a discussion about the city's Support Team Assisted Response program, or STAR, during a Safety, Housing, Education and Homelessness Committee inside the City and County Building. Dec. 6, 2023.

A behavioral health center needs extra funding to make it through 2024 as some Denverites lose health coverage

Behavioral Health Solutions Center says it will run out of initial city funding in September next year, but federal pandemic recovery funds will bail them out through the end of the year.

Marina Ledesma Barrios sorts through a donation cache for migrants, and really anyone who needs something, at Para Ti Mujer's headquarters on Sheridan Boulevard, in Barnum West. Dec. 6, 2023.

Looking to give back this holiday season in Denver? Here are places to volunteer your time and donate clothes, toys and more

The city and many nonprofits are accepting all forms of donations for migrant families and other individuals in need.

Celia Leal, who usually works for Denver Human Services but has been posted here, in the city's second emergency shelter, helps two men who recently arrived from the U.S. southern border arrange transport out of the city. Jan. 6, 2023.

Denver says it hired more than 200 people Friday as it looked to increase bilingual staffing at migrant shelters

More than 250 area residents attended Friday's hiring event.

A Northeast Park Hill home for sale on January 5, 2022.

Home sales dropped around Denver in November as high interest rates kept buyers away

The housing market typically slows during winter, but sales were down even more this year.

Mariano Valle drags a steer by its tail during a coleadero event in Strasburg, on Colorado's eastern plains. Nov. 4, 2023.

The next generation of Mexican Cowboys: Colorado youth are embracing the legacy of Charrería

“We call ourselves charros. That’s what we are.”

This plot of land at 2301 S. Santa Fe Dr. will soon host more than 100 tiny homes for Mayor Mike Johnston's House1000 plan.

The Santa Fe Drive micro community in the Overland neighborhood is moving forward after some concessions

Denver City Council approved a contract for the site that includes 60 units, down from 150 originally planned by Mayor Mike Johnston's office.

A rendering of La Musidora at Denver Art Museum. (Courtesy Denver Art Museum)

What happened to the musical rocking chairs outside the Denver Art Museum?

Where’d the multi-colored musical chairs go? We asked the museum and got an answer.

Protesters make noise as they march past the downtown Hyatt Regency, where many attendees of Jewish National Fund's annual Global Conference for Israel are staying. Dec. 2, 2023.

Four days of a conference for Israel, four days of protests for Palestinians: Here’s what we saw

Pro-Palestinian protestors marched, chanted and blocked streets this weekend as the Jewish National Fund USA's Global Conference for Israel was held.

A statue of César Chávez at Berkeley's César Chávez
Park. Nov. 25, 2023.

Street Week: Tennyson

How César Chávez Park got its name

The park on Tennyson Street in Denver had a long history before it was dedicated to the Labor Rights activist.

Members of the Denver-Boulder Jewish Voice for Peace sit in a circle, arms bound together, to shut down the intersection of Speer Boulevard and Champa Street in protest of the Jewish National Fund's annual Global Conference for Israel happening across the street in Denver, on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023.

Over a dozen arrested as pro-Palestinian protesters shut down Speer Blvd.

Protesters rallied against the Jewish National Fund’s Global Conference for Israel, which has been taking place in Denver since Thursday.

City outreach workers canvass an encampment on 16th Avenue in North Capitol Hill as they give out trash bags and try to connect people with housing. Aug. 8, 2023.

Denver says it plans to close two encampments and house around 200 people living in them

If the unhoused accept the offer and stay in housing for two full weeks, the mayor's House1000 goal would be about halfway met.

More Denverite

Members of a teenage jazz band stand on a stage at a dance in Denver, Colorado. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-134)

A group of men and women revelers gather at a bar on New Years Eve in Denver, Colorado. Circa 1965. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-199)

PREVIOUSLY IN THE HISTORIC COLORADO PHOTO SERIES: Donald Kemp | Sandra Dallas | Harry Mellon Rhoads | Charles Lillybridge

Men, women and children stand near a building during the dedication of the George Washington Carver Day Nursery. Burnis McCloud stands by a camera near the group. 1966. (Clarence F. Holmes/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/X-22345)

A group of girls and women in Girl Scout uniforms stand in formation to receive badges. A woman in a dress uniform pins a badge reading: "Be Prepared" on a young girl's sash. Between 1940 and 1950. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-160)

Two women and a man look at a file in a paneled room in Denver, Colorado. A sign reading: "Owl Club" leans on a window in the distance. Between 1955 and 1965. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-218)

The Prom Queen is crowned during Manual High School's 1961 prom. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/WH1128)

Two men stand inside a Duckwall variety store. Sunglasses, tricycles, handbags, irons and lamps are all for sale. Between 1950 and 1970. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-92)

A couple talks in a large, opulent room in an unknown location, Denver, Colorado. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-166)

A group of men and women, members of the Kings and Queens Social Club, pretend to be drunk at a park in the mountains near Denver, Colorado. Between 1955 and 1965. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-183)

View of a Links Club function. A family sits in a theater in Denver, Colorado. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-185)

A couple sits in chairs in a large opulent room in an unknown location in Denver, Colorado. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-165)

View of a Gay Dutchess club function. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-151)

Night view of Harry Hoffman's Cut Price Liquor store at Curtis and 18th (Eighteenth) Streets in Denver, Colorado. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-3)

View of an Altruistic Club function. A group of women wear white formal dresses and pose in front of a stage in Denver, Colorado. The women may be attending a party or dance at the Disabled American Veterans hall. Circa 1955. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-94)

View of an Owlettes Club function. A group of women sit at a table in a dining room. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-202)

View of a Links Club function. Men and women gather for tea in the living room of a house in Denver. Between 1940 and 1950. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-189)

Two couples, members of the La Lampions Club, sit at a table in a dance hall in Denver, Colorado. Between 1950 and 1960. (Burnis McCloud/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/MCD-184)

PREVIOUSLY IN THE HISTORIC COLORADO PHOTO SERIES: Donald Kemp | Sandra Dallas | Harry Mellon Rhoads | Charles Lillybridge