WHAT’S HAPPENING IN GOLDEN TODAY?
9AM Golden Seniors – Coffee Klatch @ Golden Visitors Center
9-10AM Women’s Exercise and Bible Study @ First United Methodist Church
9:15-9:45AM Baby Time @ Golden Library
10-10:45AM Storybook Tour @ Colorado Railroad Museum
10:15-10:45AM Preschool Time @ Golden Library
12-12:55PM All Levels Yoga (Virtual)
1-1:45PM Silver Sneakers Yoga (Virtual)
1-3PM English Paper Piecing Enthusiasts @ Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
4PM Rock Climbing @ American Mountaineering Center
5:30-8PM Exploring the Elements of Art @ Foothills Art Center
5:30-7:30PM Textile Society @ Golden Library
SEE THE COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS.
PUB GAMES
6PM Trivia Tuesdays @ Golden Mill
6:30-8:30PM Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Buffalo Rose
6:30-8:30PM Bar Bingo Night @ VFW Post 4171
LIVE MUSIC
6PM Karaoke with Linda @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
6PM Open Bluegrass Pick Night @ Over Yonder Brewing
GOLDEN HISTORY MOMENT
The “M” on Mount Zion was built, with little fanfare, in 1908.
Taking advantage of the holiday last Friday, School of Mines students placed a mammoth “M” near the summit of Mount Zion. It is constructed of rocks which were whitewashed after being placed, and is 100 by 80 feet. It is easily distinguishable with the naked eye from many points in Denver.
Colorado Transcript, May 21, 1908
The following year, the class of 1912 added a “12” next to the giant M. Apparently the class of 1911 found that offensive, and they used dynamite to blast away the 12. After that, the incoming freshmen contented themselves with refreshing the whitewash on the M each year.
Within a few years, the M was regarded as “historic,” and an indispensable symbol of the school.
In 1931, an attempt was made to blow up the M. Fortunately, it was an amateur job, and only a small section was harmed. The damaged was allegedly done by football rivals from Denver University.
Later that year, electric lights were added so that the M would shine by night as well as by day. Many local businesses and community members contributed to the cost of the electrical work. When the permanent wiring was ready, the Governor came to ceremonially flip the switch.
It wasn’t until 1932 that anyone thought to check the ownership of the land under the M. They learned that it belonged to Ernest Ramstetter, but he readily agreed to sell them the acre of ground under the M.
In 2008, the incandescent bulbs were replaced by L.E.D.s.
On special occasions, the Blue Key Honor Society, which has charge of the the M, will sometimes change the bulbs to turn the M into another shape (such as a jack-o-lantern on Halloween). At other times, they’ll change the color of the M–often to red at Christmas or on Valentine’s Day.
GOLDEN HISTORY MOMENT
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!
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SEPTEMBER SPONSORS: Buffalo Rose, Buglet Solar, Foothills Art Center, Golden City Brewery, Golden Cultural Alliance, Golden History Museum, Golden Super Cruise, Miners Alley Playhouse, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Morris & Mae Market, Miners Saloon, Joy and Jack Brandt, Tom Reiley
Contributors: Greg Poulos, Vic DeMaria, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Barry & Liz Bettis, and Katherine Leith Porter
Ongoing Monthly Supporters:
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Golden Community Garden, Carol & Doug Harwood, Jennings & Litz, Bill Fisher, Brian Quarnstrom, Casey & Gina Brown, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, Robert Storrs, Karen Smith, Sandy Curran, Paul Haseman, Michele Sannes, Kathy Smith, Crystal Culbert, Pat Madison, Donna Anderson, Ann Pattison, Carol & Don Cameron, Tom Hughes, Emeline Paulson, Susan Gray, David Smith, Karen Oxman, Laura King & Scott Wilson, Bill Sedgeley, Mariane Erickson, Carol Abel, Dot & Eric Brownson, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Deb Goeldner, Rosemary Coffman, Jim & LouAnne Dale, Francine Butler, Elaine Marolla, Dixie Termin & Ron Miller, John & Andi Pearson, Chris Ball, Tom Hoffman, Patrick & Lisa Vitry, Alice Madison & Jim Kalivas, Lora Haimes, and Nancy & Carlos Bernal
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