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GLIMPSES OF GOLDEN
Golden is a friendly city with the privilege of having a mountain foothills environment and metropolitan convenience. It is proud of its rich history; the role it played in the formation of the great state of Colorado; the role it played in opening the west and the mineral industry; its progressive accomplishments; and its bright future.
GOLDEN'S HERITAGE
In 1843 Rufus Sage pitched his buffalo-skin tent on the bank of Clear Creek, where icy water from the melting snowpacks rushed out of the craggy mountains and onto the plains. He was a hunter, with a sharp eye for the valuable hides of mountain animals. He wasted no time with the glittering yellow flakes of gold strewn over the bed of the swirling stream in front of his tent. But he did tell friends about it when he went back east.
The first actual settler in Golden was David Wall, who in 1858, obtained land, laid out a two-acre garden, and irrigated it with water from the creek. In 1859 alone, he sold the produce of his farm to the hoards of gold-seekers for $2,000, a fabulous sum in those days. He had discovered his own kind of gold.
Gold was discovered in the mountains early that spring. George Jackson hurried up through the green, fertile valley of Clear Creek to make unbelievably fabulous gold strikes in the rocky canyons. Thousands of pioneers passed through the Golden Valley in the spring of 1859, but none stopped to settle, for all were headed for the rich gold in the fields beyond.
A group of Bostonians, headed by George West, arrived from across the plains, flushed with gold fever. They took one look at the sea of transient miners tents around the mouth of Clear Creek and decided to stop right there. They built the area's first frame building to house their newly formed Boston Company, and laid out a town which they named Golden City on June 12, 1859. For several years after its organization, Golden City was the leading town in Colorado.
George West, a member of the first Boston Company, began publishing the Western Mountaineer in December 1859 in his printing shop on the second floor of the Boston Company building. In 1866 he founded the Colorado Transcript, Colorado's oldest weekly newspaper, which is still published in Golden.
Saloons, hotels, stores and homes rose as if by magic and by the end of 1859, there were nearly 800 citizens in Golden City. The first Masonic Lodge meeting in Colorado was held in 1859 and W. L. Douglas was busy cobbling shoes for miners and pioneers, and preparing to found his giant shoe-making dynasty.
The Mademoiselle Haydee Thespian played to packed houses and a Grand Ball was held on December 21, 1859.
In 1859, coal was discovered in Coal Creek, just 15 miles north of Golden.
Local citizens inaugurated a mountain road system to link the mining communities with Golden City, a weekly mail service was opened and superb deposits of clay were discovered.
Monday, January 9, 1860, saw a note of civilized sobriety enter Golden City in the person of Professor T. Daugherty. On that gray Monday, school opened for 18 youngsters.
By the following August 7, Governor R. W. Steele persuaded the people of the autonomous territory that affiliation with the United States was desirable, and the territory merged with the Kansas territory.
By an act of the Territorial Legislature in 1872, the name of the town was changed from Golden City to Golden. It is said to be named after Thomas Golden, an early settler. In 1858, Tom Golden, unable to get his wagon up the canyon, halted it and sold all his provisions and mining equipment to other eager prospectors. Counting his money after the sale, he decided to make merchandising his business.
A famous newspaper man, Horace Greeley, arrived at Golden City, rented a jackass and rode up the creek to personally investigate the fantastic gold strike claims. His jackass unceremoniously flipped him over his ear into the creek. Nevertheless, he returned to pen for his newspaper the world renowned line: "Go West, young man, go West".
The bustling community established itself as an autonomous land, the Jefferson Territory, bound only by its own law. There was a toll bridge across the creek at Ford Street, a street named after the famous gambling tent owned by the Ford Brothers. This tent was used for the town's first religious ceremony.
George Pullman operated a gold and money brokerage in Golden City until he began building the Pullman railway sleeping car, in which bunks similar to those in miner's cabins were introduced on railway cars.
As a center of transportation and mining enterprises, Golden City became the political and social center of the region, and in 1862, became the capital of the Colorado Territory. The capital building is still in use as a restaurant on the corner of 12th and Washington. This building was erected by W. A. H. Loveland, one of Golden's most distinguished first citizens.
Colorado's first railroad company, the Colorado Central, was incorporated in 1865 and the first train operated late in 1870. Golden was a very busy transportation center for the mining operations which were going on in the mountains to the west.
Black Hawk, Central City, Silver Plume, Idaho Springs, Dumont, Empire, Georgetown, and many other cities and boom towns were entirely dependent upon Golden for the supplies needed in order to seek the precious metals that were in the rocks and streams. Wagon trains carrying materials, food and supplies were the lifeblood of these towns.
Then, when the railroads came in the early 70's, Golden was an important rail terminus. At one time there were 23 trains passing through the Golden switching facilities. There was much rivalry between Denver and Golden in the early days. In about 1880, railroad officials succeeded in having the railroad headquarters moved from Golden to Denver, and Golden ceased to be a rail center.
There were also two funiculars in operation in Golden. One went up Castle Rock and the other went to the top of Lookout Mountain. Buffalo Bill Cody, the famous scout, hunter and show-man, is buried there where he can eternally watch the plains he loved so greatly. Thousands of people visit his grave site and museum each year.
GOLDEN NOW
After nearly 140 years of existence, the city is healthy and progressive. It is becoming one of the principal "energy centers" in the nation as the search continues for alternate fuels other than petroleum.
In 1873, Adolph Coors, Sr. founded the Adolph Coors Company, Golden's leading industry. The brewery attracts 300,000 visitors each year for tours.
The Colorado School of Mines which offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in science and technology was established in 1874. The school enrolls students from all 50 states and many foreign countries. New research and technology application programs continue to strengthen the academic environment at CSM.
The city has become an integral part of the Denver Metropolitan Area. Until a few years ago, Golden was considered isolated from the general metropolitan area, but now due to the accessibility provided by I-70, U. S. Highway 6, State Highway 93, C-470 and other arteries along with the continued tremendous growth of Jefferson County and Golden itself, the city has come "into its own" and is a major influence in the Denver area, and the state of Colorado.
GOLDEN'S FUTURE
With an understanding of the need to preserve the values and spirit of our past, Golden affirms its commitment to move forward. We invite you to join us for a visit, or for a lifetime.