Final Day for HART, Full Moon, Fire at the Astor House (in 1886), and Updated Stats

*Golden Eye Candy – Jen Rutter – Day after the solstice – click to enlarge*

Virtual Golden

10:15AM Toddler Time with the Library

Real World Golden

10AM-5PM FINAL DAY Holiday Art Market!

Full Moon
The moon will be full tonight. It will rise at 4:34PM and set tomorrow morning at 7:57AM.
This full moon update is brought to you by Buglet Solar.

Golden History Moment

*Astor House in 1881 – Golden History Museum Collection – click to enlarge. The building behind the Astor House might be the stable that burned.*

134 Years Ago
The December 29, 1886 Colorado Transcript reported on “A Lively Blaze – Narrow Escape of the Astor House.” A fire had started in a privy behind the hotel and quickly spread to the wooden stable at the back of the lot.

*Ghost image of the old Central Station, between the Astor House and the Old Capital Grill – click to enlarge*

Fortunately, the Astor House was next door to the fire station where two of Golden’s three fire companies were based, so help came quickly. The stable was beyond saving, so the firefighters focused their efforts on other outbuildings and a wooden “annex” to the main building.

*Excerpt from the 1882 Birds Eye View Map of Golden Colorado – click to enlarge*

The Excelsior Hose Company attached a hose to the fireplug at “Mary and Second Streets” (now Illinois & 12th) and another to the plug at “Washington and Second” (now Washington & 12th). Soon after, the Loveland Hose Company arrived from their fire station in Goosetown. They were also able to attach a hose to the plug at 12th and Washington, and the combined streams of water brought the fire under control.

The Transcript commented that “Too much praise cannot be awarded to the gallant firemen for their almost superhuman efforts to stay the ravages of the flames at the Astor House fire. They did nobly.”

They Transcript also passed on a request from the firefighters to the “city dads,” asking for a new hose. “The fact is, there is but about 200 feet that will stand the pressure.”

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!

Coronavirus

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: 28,176 | Mon: 28,973 (+797)
Deaths in Jeffco – Weds: 607 | Mon: 621 (+14)
Currently Hospitalized in Jeffco – Weds: 171 | Mon: 169 (-2)
Known Cases in Golden – Mon (21st): 1038 * | Mon (28th): 1093 * (+55)
Recovered – Weds: 25,298 | Mon: 26,480 (+1182)

* 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.