About Cory-Merrill

Named after the schools in the area, Cory-Merrill was once part of the Town of South Denver, which had boundaries along the South Platte River, Alameda Avenue, Colorado Boulevard and Yale Avenue. It was founded in 1858 as a dry town because its citizens didn't like the saloons that had taken over Denver.

Starting between 1883 and 1886, the prairie land was divided into subdivisions: Electric Heights on the west side, Coronado and Coronado Heights on the east. Plots of land were sold for between $100 and $160, and the area grew rapidly.

By 1889, there were 100 homes.

In 1906, Vincentian priests paid $15,218 for 59.5 acres of land in the middle of the area, where they built the St. Thomas Aquinas Theological Seminary. It was later sold to the Catholic Archdiocese and is now known as the John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization. Commonly referred to as the center of Catholicism in Colorado, it is home to the Archdiocese of Denver.

Later, the area was developed after World World II by developer Les Tremblay, who purchased many of the existing lots and built tract homes for returning military personnel. These small two and three bedroom homes gradually began to disappear as the 21st century saw many people desiring new and larger homes. The homes are popular for families and millennials, who enjoy the easy access to I-25 and the RTD light rail station at the University of Denver.

The best part about the Cory-Merrill neighborhood is its close proximity to many great parts of Denver. People who live in this not well-known area are just a short bike ride from popular areas such as Washington Park, Bonnie Brae, the shops on Old South Gaylord, and many restaurants and bars. 

Cory Elementary is considered one of the best elementary schools in the city, which is one of the reasons this neighborhood has gained popularity among so many families. In addition, residents enjoy walking and biking around the 40-acre, beautifully landscaped grounds of the the Archdiocese of Denver and St. John Vianney Theological  Seminary.

To learn more about Cory-Merrill’s evolution, read this overview of the neighborhood’s history: