4 Golden Transcript
November 29, 2012
Celebrate the Holidays
A father’s love begins Denver outdoor lighting tradition Ten-year-old David Jonathan Sturgeon was too ill to enjoy the Christmas of 1914 with the rest of the family. He lay dying in his
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upstairs bedroom from an illness that his doctor said would consume him before the next Christmas. As the rest of the fam-
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ily gathered around the Christmas tree to marvel at its bright lights, David Dwight Sturgeon was saddened by the thought of his son lying in bed, unable to witness the same beauty of Christmas. As one of Denver’s pioneer electricians, Sturgeon’s knowledge of such things led him to create what is thought to be the city’s – and possibly the nation’s – first outdoor Christmas tree lights. Sturgeon dipped light bulbs in green and red paint and connected them to electrical wire that he strung around pine trees that towered up to his son’s bedroom window. The boy was thrilled to see such a sight from his bed and, as word spread of the brilliant outdoor phenomenon, people began to come night after night to gaze at its beauty. Newspapers reported on the outdoor display, and soon the street in front of the Sturgeon home was filled with passing buggies and horseless. It didn’t take long before others were displaying their own outdoor Christmas lights and, as the custom spread, Denver sponsored contests as early as 1918. Neighborhoods competed to see
who could come up with the most elaborate displays of outdoor Christmas lights. Five years after Sturgeon started the outdoor lighting tradition, John Malpiede, Denver’s city electrician at the time, obtained permission to put up Denver’s first lighted tree in Civic Center Park. The citizens were so inspired at the sight that Mapliede began adding extra bulbs to the tree and wrapping decorative garlands and evergreen around lampposts and railings. His projects grew from year to year and were so popular that in 1926, the then mayor Ben Stapleton gave him permission – and a budget – to decorate the exterior of City Hall. In 1945, NBC aired a special program about Denver and the Sturgeon family. They were recognized for originating the tradition that today draws thousands each year to witness the lighting of Denver’s City and County Building. For little David Jonathan Sturgeon, there would be seven more Christmases to enjoy. He was able to witness in those years the joy his father’s creation gave to others as well.
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