The History and Founding of Golden, Colorado: The City of Golden
Table of Contents
- The History and Founding of Golden, Colorado: The City of Golden
- The Gold Rush Golden CO
- The Discovery of Gold
- The Tourist Trade in Golden Colorado
- Golden Colorado in the 20th Century
- Growth and Economic Changes of Golden, Colorado
- Early Settlers and the History of Golden Colorado
- The Gold Rush and The Creation of Golden Colorado
- Early Businesses and Industries in Golden Colorado
- The Early Days of Golden Colorado
Golden Colorado is a fascinating city. From the days of the Colorado gold rush and the wild wild west, Golden Colorado is rich in history.
The Gold Rush Golden CO
Many of the original homesteaders and miners in Golden, Colorado, are buried in the cemetery along Center Street. Many of the original homesteaders and miners are buried in the cemetery along Center Street.
The Discovery of Gold
Gold became an attraction in the state of Colorado when the Colorado Gold Rush began in 1859. People from all over the world came looking for gold in Colorado. Golden was named after gold prospector Charles Norman Gregory.
Gold, Mining and Business
The gold rush continued into the early 20th century.
This continued as most people travelled west to look for gold in the region. The work went on at a frantic pace. The builders of the Union Pacific Railroad used Golden as a junction point for the transcontinental railroad.
Gold was so important that in 1889, a group of businessmen constructed the first gold-mining camp in Golden, Colorado and coined the name Golden. There were 19 mines, each with a small group of miners. The entire town of Golden at the time had a population of 754.
The Tourist Trade in Golden Colorado
For many, what begins as a trip for the “Golden” interest, becomes a trip of a lifetime. From old west history, architecture, hiking, camping, mining to seeing elk and antelope, it’s easy to become a Colorado elk tourist.
The Mining History of Golden, Colorado and the developing of real estate.
All throughout Golden, Colorado is a rich mining history. Even though mining may have slowed down, the interest is still present. Just ask anybody that has a pension plan. In fact, the tours are so popular that in order to keep up with the demand, it now includes a “family tour” for those that want to take their kids on a tour of the mines.
Golden Colorado in the 20th Century
When gold was discovered in Golden in 1858, speculators rushed to this new goldfield. New and old settlements sprang up, each with its own flavor of comradery and laid-back bohemian lifestyle. In the years to come, the town and surrounding countryside would become the site of major gold mining operations and a hub for immigrants looking for the last big frontier.
With the end of the gold rush came the end of the frontier. The bust bust of the 1880s and 90s destroyed the boomtown of Golden and most of the goldfields in Colorado. By the start of the 20th century, most of Golden’s once-abundant gold had been dug up and the town was ready for its turn in the spotlight.
Growth and Economic Changes of Golden, Colorado
In the 1950’s and 1960’s, Golden, Colorado experienced a major growth and evolution from a small town to a large city. That period of expansion is just as dramatic and important as the early days of the town. The growth was due to the formation of Interstate 70 which led to the completion of Interstate 70 and the increased flow of people into the town. To accommodate the population increase, several new housing developments were built.
Golden is a wonderful place to raise a family, enjoy the outdoors, and work at a high quality job with affordable housing. And the history of Golden, Colorado offers endless opportunity for exploration, learning, and exploration.
Golden was originally called Treasure City, named after a significant deposit of gold in the area.
Early Settlers and the History of Golden Colorado
Golden, Colorado’s history begins in 1858 with the founding of the town of Golden and follows this natural geographical formation, which is made up of hills and steep slopes. This formation has made Golden a perfect landing spot, as well as a prosperous town.
There are several explanations as to why the town was named Golden.
One of the most common explanations comes from an old court case that took place in 1880. The court records state that the lawyers for the city wanted to adopt the name “Gold Mine,” but the law required that the name of the town would be a simple, one syllable name. The lawyers thought they had an easy way to get the name of the town approved, but were proven wrong. The judge ruled that the name must be one syllable.
The Gold Rush and The Creation of Golden Colorado
The 1850’s were a turbulent time in America’s history.
The Americans fought against the British in the civil war. For those that didn’t have family members fighting for the south they migrated west to the United States.
When the miners began coming to Colorado they had the idea that gold would be found in Colorado. A lot of those miners lived at Devil’s Gulch, which was a short distance away from Denver. It wasn’t long before many of those gold seekers were discovered by thieves who robbed them of all of their gold. It is estimated that only 30% of the gold miners who ventured into Denver in search of gold were able to recover anything.
One day, a group of thieves raided an old miner’s shack.
Early Businesses and Industries in Golden Colorado
Golden’s early beginnings were centered in commerce. Gold rush miners attracted entrepreneurs to the Colorado panhandle looking for jobs, and soon those entrepreneurs were opening businesses and creating jobs in the mining and manufacturing industries.
By 1883 the City of Golden was formed in order to promote business and industry. Soon, Golden’s businesses were the second largest city in the state of Colorado.
Businesses in Golden are found all over the city. The Town Square, the Original Golden General Store, and the Chinese Dragon stand tall in the downtown area where businesses line the street and offer diners and shoppers the best the city of Golden has to offer.
The Early Days of Golden Colorado
Golden Colorado was the site of the legendary Golden Spike, which marked the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The railroad, of course, wouldn’t have existed without the gold rush. The Gold Rush brought a tidal wave of people to the state, causing cities like Denver and Colorado Springs to expand rapidly.
In 1859, on January 30th, at 8:01am, a member of the Chaffee County Company struck a line with a spike on one of the rails at the site where the Golden Spike was later driven. After crossing into Utah, the railroad used a similar method to mark the first spike on the bridge across the Columbia River at Vancouver, Washington.
Golden Colorado
After the Colorado Gold Rush, the city of Golden and the town of Aurora began to grow rapidly.
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