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131 New Cases in Golden Since Monday, Mines Commencement, New Ice Sculpture, and How to Get a Homestead

Golden Eye Candy – Aerial View of the Holiday Lights, circa 2018 – click to enlarge

Coronavirus/COVID-19

Public Health References
CDC * Colorado * Jefferson County * City of Golden

Jefferson County is at Level Red, “Severe Risk.” Here’s the most recent Coronavirus report from Jeffco Public Health’s Case Summary Page:

Cases in Jeffco – Weds: 26,700 | Thurs: 26,948 (+248)
Deaths in Jeffco – Weds: 592 | Thurs: 595 (+3)
Currently Hospitalized in Jeffco Weds: 194 | Thurs: 197 (+3)
Known Cases in Golden – Mon: 868 | Thurs: 999 (+131)

* Golden cases will be updated on Monday and Thursday. The other stats will be updated Monday through Friday.

Mines COVID Testing | Jeffco Fairgrounds COVID Testing | School of Mines COVID-19 case page. | Stage 2 fire restrictions | Sign up for exposure notifications.


Virtual Golden

Colorado School of Mines will celebrate its Fall 2020 Commencement today in two virtual ceremonies. Undergraduate Commencement will start at 9AM, with a live broadcast featuring cherished Mines traditions as well as new features aimed at bringing Orediggers together during a time when the community cannot celebrate together in-person.  Graduate Commencement will follow with a live ceremony broadcast at 12PM. More information

6-6:55AM Virtual HIIT
8:30-9:30AM Virtual Power Training
4-5PM Teen Hangout – JCPL
4-5PM Friday Crafternoons – Foil Embossed Ornament! – JCPL

See a play tonight with Miners Alley Playhouse!


Real World Golden

10AM-5PM Holiday Art Market at Foothills Art Center
1-2PM The Friday Tour @ Colorado Railroad Museum – Highlights
Holiday Ice Sculpture – Icelantic Skis


Christmas Dinner

Just because many restaurants can’t offer in-house dining this year doesn’t mean you have to cook on Christmas day. Some of our restaurants are offering dinner packages to go. Most require advanced ordering, and some have a deadline of today. Here are four options–there may be others.

ABEJAS
807 13th Street
303-952-9745
Holiday Feast – $250 (feeds 4-6)
Menu
Reservations:  https://www.exploretock.com/abejasgolden (supplies are limited)

BRIDGEWATER GRILL
800 11th Street
303-279-2010
Reservations: https://www.bridgewatergrill.com/christmas/

INDULGE BISTRO & WINE BAR
1299 Washington Avenue
Holiday Dinner Packs
Menu
Reservations:  303-277-9991

TABLE MOUNTAIN GRILL AND CANTINA
1310 Washington Avenue
Sante Fe Christmas Feast (Serves 6) – $220
Reservations:  303-216-8040 by December 18th
Menu
Patio Dining – 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Reservations:  303-216-8040


Golden History Moment

John Churches and several of his adult children homesteaded the area just north of North Table Mountain – click to enlarge

148 Years Ago
The December 18, 1872 Colorado Transcript responds to “the rapid increase of immigration to this Territory, and the loud call that constantly comes up from outside for reliable information in regard thereto….” In other words, people wanted to know how the Homestead Act worked.

To qualify for a homestead, a person had to be a citizen of the U.S. or an immigrant who has declared his intention to become a citizen. Women as well as men were eligible to claim homesteads.

Land owned by the Churches family (and Richard Broad–John Churches’ son-in-law, two term Mayor of Golden, County Commissioner, and State Senator). Excerpt from the 1899 Willits Farm Map, Denver Public Library Western History Collection. – click to enlarge

An applicant could file on 80 acres within the limits of a railroad grant (which generally meant within 1 mile of a railroad) or 160 acres outside of a railroad grant. He or she had to pay an initial application fee, which ranged from $7-18, depending on the quality and quantity of the land.

The applicant had to live on that homestead, improve it (build a house and barn), and farm it for five years. At the end of that time, the applicant owned the land, free and clear.

Former soldiers or sailors were entitled to subtract their enlistment period from the five years, enabling them to own the land that much sooner.

A homesteader also had the option to improve the land, live on it and farm it, and then buy it at the government price ($1.25-$2.50/acre) after as little as six months.

* * *

Another interesting news item from the December 18, 1872 Transcript: City Council passed an ordinance saying that any person fined for breach of any ordinance of the Town of Golden shall serve out such fine in jail, or shall work out such fine upon the streets. (They must have really needed road work!)


Many thanks to the Golden History Museum for providing the online cache of historic Transcripts and to the Golden Transcript for documenting our history since 1866!

Highlights