1930

On January 14, 1930, John M Mulvihill passed away at his home in Denver at 4209 W. 38th Avenue.

In the Denver Post “A Tribute of Appreciation” was presented in his honor, excerpts of which follow:

In middle life he found courage to step away from a secure job and strike out for himself by assuming responsibility to drag Elitch Gardens out of the financial slough into which the property, regarded as a shrine, had fallen.

He knew Elitch Gardens had won an unusual place by being the cleanest, happiest amusement resort in the world. He made up his mind always to keep its name and fame clean.

Nothing but the best was good enough for Elitch Gardens or Denver, according to the Mulvihill rule. A play might be ever so successful in New York but if there was about it the semblance of immorality or dirt, down went the Mulvihill thumb even when agents protested.

Among the many who wired their sympathy to the Mulvihill family were scores of theatrical luminaries who knew him through contacts formed in New York City and lasting friendships formed during the periods they played under his auspices at the Elitch Theatre.’”

[Borrillo, T. A. (2012). Denver’s historic Elitch Theatre: A nostalgic journey (a history of its times). Colorado. p. 159]