Vaso Cukovic from Risnjan, people's philanthropist from Colorado
January 1, 20034 min readby Montenegro.com Admin
Vasa Ćuković's house in downtown Denver today. There are countless fantastic stories from the American West. According to many of those the story has been filmed in dozens of films, through which it is also very specific
Vasa Ćuković's house in downtown Denver today.
There are countless fantastic stories from the American West. According to many of those
the story has been filmed in dozens of films, through which it is also very specific
way of life in those parts of the world during the nineteenth century
known and recognizable. Among the names of people who are in those ancient times
lived in the "wild west" as it is called in slang, can be found
many of which are originally from our region. The list is really diverse,
our settlers are referred to as cowboys, gold diggers, fighters against
Indians, gunslingers, saloon-shop owners, miners, rangers,
sheriffs, US military officers, etc.
The story of the Perazić brothers, who after their eldest brother was killed
Nikola in search of revenge chased the killer all over the west is one of the
living legends that are still retold today.
There are many more such stories about the destinies and exploits of our people in America
west, certainly among them the story of the man who
called Vaso Ćuković or Chuck Chuckovich as he was called in America. That's it
the story of the true realization of the so-called "American dream" of an incredible rise and
wealth, but also unprecedented charity and devotion to his family
the country.
Vaso L. Ćuković (1858 – 1933), son of Lazar and Stana, was born in Risno in
merchant family. By alertness and resourcefulness in many ways
distinguished from his peers at the time. Parents who recognized
his great potential make the decision to send him to study in Trieste
where he spends almost six years. During his stay in Trieste, he mastered the
many world languages, Italian, Greek, French, German.
Since he was extremely restless and eager for adventure, in 1876 he went to
America. He tries to start a mercantile business in New York, but fails
he did not have enough capital, he decides to go further west and
that's how he ends up in the city of Reno in the state of Nevada. There he meets a few others
emigrants from Boka and suddenly a Rišnjani lends 100 dollars with which
arrives in the city of Denver in the state of Colorado.
At the time of his arrival, Denver was a small, typical half-timbered town
in the west, but the population is in the following years throughout Colorado
increased by five times.
At that time, the largest number of settlers went to the mountains in search
after gold, Vaso decides to stay in the city where he starts his business.
Over time, money begins to invest in barren land, which surprised many,
but that was precisely the key to his success. Done until then
on worthless land, the city began to expand and large buildings were built
smelters. Vaso becomes one of the richest people in that part of the USA. From
from the moment he acquired a large fortune, he devoted himself to humanitarian work
which was aimed exclusively at helping the old region. A huge amount
he sent money to his homeland after the Balkan works, after the first World War
war, and in honor of his parents, he founded the "Lazar and Stana Ćuković Fund" in 1922. It's building
a large and modern cultural center in Risno. After his death, he leaves everything in his will
his property, which was measured in millions of dollars, for the benefit of the people of his native land
the end. The biggest monument to his charity is the special hospital in Risno
which bears his name, was built immediately before the Second World War
war. After the Second World War, many health institutions in Montenegro
they were equipped from the funds of the estate of Vas Ćuković, who was in Colorado
known as Vaso "Chuck" Chuckovich.
"The Navarre" a former casino owned by Ed and Vaso
The house in which he lived, which the Americans call "Curry Chuckovich House" ( House
Vasa Ćukovića)
it was built in 1888. Today it is the oldest remaining building in the center
Denver and is under state protection. Surrounded on all sides by blue
buildings and skyscrapers, testify to the ancient times when the city of Denver
was just rising.
Another old building that is one of the symbols of the country's largest city
Colorado is also "The Navarra", right next to it today there are two of the best
hotels in downtown Denver, Adams Mark and Brow Palace.
The building was built by Vaso Ćuković and his business partner Ed Chese, a
it became famous because it housed the most famous
a casino in Colorado that was also owned by Ed and Vaso.
We received the photos of the houses in Denver thanks to Mr. Dark
Labudović from Denver, we thank him from the bottom of our hearts for this opportunity
Gordan Stojović
.