Virtual Events
1-2:30PM Virtual: Dungeons & Dragons for Beginners
3:30-5PM Virtual: Dungeons & Dragons for Advanced Players
Real World Events
Barrels and Bottles 9 Year Anniversary @ Barrels and Bottles – Camp George West
8AM New and Prospective Member Hike @ Apex Trail
9:30AM-12PM Walk With a Geologist @ Dinosaur Ridge
10AM-3PM No Fear Watercolor @ Foothills Art Center
10-11:30AM Transform Your Store Bought Bouquet @ Golden Mill
10AM-12PM Wild West Walking Tour @ Golden Visitors Center
10AM-3PM Brunch at the Rose @ Buffalo Rose
10AM-3PM Saturday Train Rides @ Colorado Railroad Museum
10:15AM Family Time @ Golden Library
11AM Coffee With Councilors @ Golden Community Center Front Porch
11AM-4PM International Female Ride Day + Free Bike Wash @ Avalanche Harley Davidson
12PM Gluten-Free Foodie Fest! @ Holidaily
1-2PM Día de los Niños: Stories from Across the Ocean / Historias del otro lado del Océano @ Golden Library
1PM The Princess and the Pea @ Miners Alley Playhouse
2-4PM Kitten Shower @ Foothills Animal Shelter
4-7PM Eliminate Anxiety Workshop @Pranatonic
4PM Golden Concert Choir Spring Concert @ Calvary Episcopal Church
5-8:30PM Golden Super Cruise
7PM Pops Concert – Vocal Music @ Golden High School
7:30PM Blue Ridge @ Miners Alley Playhouse
Live Music
11AM-2PM Craig “CD” Clark @ Buffalo Rose (Sky Bar Stage)
1:30-3:30PM Good for Nothing Thunder Mountain String Band @ Barrels and Bottles – Camp George West
1:30-4:30PM Burn It Blue @ Golden Mill
4-6PM Austin Williamson @ Barrels and Bottles – Camp George West
4PM Funk It Up @ Wrigley’s
5-8PM Bottlerocket Hurricane @ Goosetown Station
5PM Shaun Nicklin Duo @ Over Yonder
7-9PM Rocky Burning @ Barrels and Bottles – Camp George West
7-10PM Chris Child @ Buffalo Rose (Sky Bar Stage)
9PM Karaoke @ Ace Hi Tavern
Golden History Moment
Continuing our stroll through the Heart of Golden area, here’s a story I published in August of 2021. The 1903 photo above shows houses on the south side of 11th Street as creekfront property. The north side of 11th Street was built up over the years by various forms of landfill.
After a week of furious earth moving, during which a substantial quantity of dirt was dumped along the south bank of Clear Creek, the activity appears now to have ceased. The dirt lines the bank from near Illinois Street to a point midway between Cheyenne and Arapahoe, a distance of about one and a half blocks.
Golden Transcript – August 7, 1970
The land in question belonged to real estate developer Cliff Evans. While Evans refused to say what he planned for the newly-expanded property, rumors had been circulating that he wanted to build an apartment complex along the Creek. Most of the land was zoned R3 (apartments), while about 1/2 block, between Cheyenne and Arapahoe, was zoned C1 (commercial).
A year earlier, Evans had approached the City and asked that they relinquish the right-of-way that would have allowed Cheyenne, Illinois, and Maple Streets to be extended all the way to the Creek. The City kept a 50′ right of way at Illinois, but relinquished the right of way at Cheyenne and Maple.
After these interesting developments…nothing happened. The land remained unoccupied and overgrown with weeds. It also became a popular dumping ground for unwanted junk. Ten years passed.
The August 7, 1980 Transcript described Golden’s ambitious plans to build parks. They were particularly interested in developing parks and trails along Clear Creek.
In 1981, Jefferson County Open Space offered Evans $596,000 for the 4.49 acres. That amount was based on the City’s appraisal. Evans refused, saying that he intended to develop the property, and that the commercial value was $1.13 million.
In 1982, City Council voted to condemn the property and purchase it through eminent domain. Evans objected to the price the City and Open Space were offering. Eventually, Evans and his lawyers took the matter to court. The judge appointed a 3-member commission to appraise the property, and they agreed with Evans’ price.
If the sale took place, Jeffco Open Space would pay 25% of the cost and the City of Golden would pay the remaining 75%. Golden had the funds available, but such a purchase would completely drain the parks fund.
Council discussed the issue at an emotional meeting in October of 1982. About 40 citizens spoke in favor of the purchase, but Council voted not to buy the property. After that, a citizens group led by Hal Leith circulated petitions to hold a special election, allowing citizens to vote on the purchase.
Those in favor of the purchase felt that, although the price was high, property along the Creek was incomparably valuable and should be purchased at any price. Those opposed thought Cliff Evans was rich enough and they just didn’t want to give him all that money.
The December 9, 1982 Golden Transcript asked City Councilors what they wanted from Santa, and most of them said they wanted Cliff Evans’ land. Councilor Dick Sargent noted that giving was good for the soul, and if Evans would only donate the property, the City would gladly name the park after him.
The citizens group was able to gather the required 901 signatures. (It’s worth noting that at that time people signing petitions did not need to be Golden voters.) The matter went to a vote in April of 1983, and the citizens voted it down, 764 to 363.
The land remained unoccupied, accumulating weeds and junk. Long-time 12th Street resident Steve Tarlton adds this memory:
Before the city got the property, the local neighbors (~12th street historic District) performed a site cleanup with CSM students to get rid of all the brush and trash on the property. It seems like one of the local trucking companies hauled off the trash (old fridges, etc). CSM students piled up all the wood and brush and had a huge bonfire at the west end of the site during, I think, homecoming weekend. The fire was so big that it endangered the power lines along 11th and the fire dept had to spray the poles to keep them safe. We also dug out a couple of trails across the lots to allow people to see what was there, and planted a few trees, some were transplants from various yards.
Eventually, the City and Evans agreed on a price and the City bought the land. Golden Landmarks Association worked with the City to build a living history park. The Pearce and Reynolds cabins, threatened by development, were moved from Golden Gate Canyon and reconstructed in what became the “Golden History Park.” The Guy Hill School house (which had also been rescued from Golden Gate Canyon) was added to the collection.
The park is now operated by the Golden History Museum. During the summer they periodically host a Homestead Open House, where visitors can see and participate in various pioneer-era activities.
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!
