A Great View, Changes Coming to 6th and Heritage, and Railroad Fever

*Golden Eye Candy – View of Golden from Lookout Mountain – Photo by Chris Davell – Click to enlarge OR – Click to SUPERSIZE (2560 x 1706 pixels)*

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

JCPHD updates these numbers Monday through Friday at about 3 PM. Here’s the most recent Coronavirus report from Jeffco Public Health’s Case Summary Page:

Jefferson County mask rule: masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors in public spaces where 6 feet distance cannot be maintained. This matches Golden’s requirement. The rest of the state requires masks only indoors. The Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors protocol is in effect statewide. City and County fire restrictions are in place.

Virtual Golden

9-10AM Virtual Power Training
10:15-11:15 Let’s Dance with the Library
6-8PM Wednesday Watch Party with the Library: The Snows of Kilimanjaro
6-7PM CMC Presents: Mountain Weather with Chris Tomer

6-7:30PM US6 & Heritage Road Interchange Design Kick-off Town Hall

The City has received a grant to begin design work for the intersection at 6th Avenue and Heritage Road. I believe the intent is to construct an over- and underpass, as they did at 6th Avenue and 19th Street. If you frequent this intersection, you should “attend” this virtual meeting.

Real World Golden

12-8PM Colorado Pint Day at New Terrain benefits the Colorado Brewers Guild
3:30-5:30PM Vaccine, License & Microchip Clinic at Foothills Animal Shelter
5:15-7PM Hike to Happy Hour at Matthews/Winters Park followed by Over Yonder Brewing
6PM Vinyasa Yoga in Lions Park with Gabriela Ferrat

Golden History Moment

150 years ago, Golden was all atwitter at the imminent arrival of our railroad. The Transcript gave regular updates on the construction crews as they graded the way between Denver and Golden.

The Colorado Central grading is proceeding with commendable energy. The grade will be finished in 10 days and as soon as they are done, track-laying will commence.

Photo taken from South Table Mountain looking north, in September of 1870, showing the completed Commissary and Freight House. The roundhouse isn’t visible in the photo, but would be off the right edge. Click to enlarge

The railway buildings were also under construction in late July: The two side walls of the freight depot are up, and the whole of the brick work will be finished the week, when Messrs. Parsons & Curry, the contractors, will commence the large commission house adjoining the foundation of which is ready for them.… The foundation of the round-house is progressing as rapidly as necessary.

Several other construction projects were underway in town, as people anticipated the prosperity that would come with the railroad. John Bush had begun construction on his Golden House hotel at 13th and Arapahoe. Unfortunately, that magnificent structure burned down just eight years later.

A new planing mill was being planned to go in next to the Brick Flouring Mill at 11th and Washington (current site of the Golden Hotel).

*The Golden Transcript was published in 1115 Washington Avenue (Google maps) for nearly 100 years, before moving to larger quarters. – Golden History Museum collection – Click to enlarge*

Of most lasting interest to us is the construction of the Golden Transcript’s building. The new Transcript building is up and the roof on. That building is still with us today!

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