Coronavirus Update
Public Health References
CDC * Colorado * Jefferson County * City of Golden
Jefferson County’s case count page says that as of 3PM yesterday, there were 1,980 cases in Jefferson County (up from 1,925). There have been 108 deaths (up from 105) and 322 are hospitalized (up from 321). There are 154 known cases in Golden (up from 153).
The Safer at Home protocol is now in effect. Check the City’s site to learn more about what that entails. Everyone is still requested to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth when leaving the house. City and County fire restrictions are in place. Clear Creek is closed to all recreational activities.
Virtual Golden
Recently Posted by the History Museum:
When the circus walked to Golden
Repopulating the bee hives
Leadership in a crisis: reflecting on Colorado Governor Vivian
Behind the Scenes with Vanya Scott, Episode 3, Golden Transportation
Online Events Today:
6:30-7:25AM Virtual HIIT
9-10AM Virtual Power Training
10AM Virtual Coffee with Golden History Museum & Park Staff
Register ahead – Eventbrite will send you an email roughly 5 minutes prior to the event start time with a link to the event. You may need to disable your pop-up blocker to download Cisco Webex Meetings.
5:30-7:30PM Live from the Rose: Lucas Wolf
Golden History Moment
After World War II, the population of the Denver metro area exploded. Thousands of homes were built, as well as schools, parks, churches, shopping, industries, etc. Development spread out from Denver like a tidal wave across the plains. Golden, formerly a small town fifteen miles distant from Denver, was no longer isolated as Wheat Ridge, Lakewood, and Arvada had all grown west.
The land occupied by the State Industrial School began to look like a great prize–and a great obstruction to progress.
Golden’s leaders were frustrated at the geographical limitations set by the two Table Mountains on the east and the front range on the west. In 1953, they began a campaign to persuade the state legislature to sell off parcels of the Industrial School. In 1958, the state sold 40 acres to be used for Ulysses Park. In 1959, 32 acres went to the school district for Earle Johnson Elementary and Bell Middle School.
In 1961, the City of Golden moved its campaign into high gear, beginning with a long article in the Transcript entitled “City, Chamber Begin Drive to Free South Golden Plug.” They looked at the population gains in the other Jefferson County cities and were indignant that the Industrial School was occupying 501.9 acres that would be much better used for housing developments.
Growth in Cities Surrounding Denver, 1950-1960
Westminster – 717.6%
Arvada – 713.7%
Aurora – 323.2%
Littleton – 302.5%
Englewood – 97%
Golden – 35.6%
It also will shock many of the present conservatives–who would like nothing better than for Golden to go back 10 years and regain the “small town” atmosphere they loved so well…. But growth is inevitable. Golden has no choice. It must adapt itself to the speed and pace of today.
Colorado Transcript, 5/4/61
In 1963, the City finally persuaded the state to sell several parcels (totaling 321.5 acres) of the State Industrial School. Golden’s City Manager predicted that the area would soon be filled with 2,000 mid-priced homes.
To Golden’s great disappointment, the land sales went very slowly. At the initial auction, a 1.87 acre parcel was sold for a gas station and a 10.8 acre parcel was sold with no particular plan in mind (now Walgreens and Grease Monkey).
In 1964, Public Service bought two parcels (which they still occupy). Another parcel was bought that year by a clay mining company.
In 1967, the State Industrial School gave up their farming program. The director explained that urban property was too expensive to use for farming, and that some people living near farms find them objectionable.
Later in 1967, Jefferson County bought one of the parcels, which is now part of the County complex. Then Golden High School bought 13 acres for an expansion.
The final parcel, at Johnson Road and Old Golden Road, sold in 1971 (Taco Bell and Goodwill). The Lunnonhaus/Summit View apartments were built in 1972 on land that had formerly been part of the Industrial School Farm.
The Golden Transcript (originally called the Colorado Transcript) has been publishing since 1866. The Golden History Museum has been working on digitizing the historic issues. You’ll find old Transcripts online at coloradohistoricnewspapers.org.
