Coronavirus Update
Public Health References
CDC * Colorado * Jefferson County * City of Golden
Jefferson County’s case count page says that as of 4PM yesterday, there were 971 cases in Jefferson County (up from 955). There have been 36 deaths (unchanged!) and 236 are hospitalized (up from 233). There are 85 known cases in Golden (up from 83).
The State-Wide Stay-at-Home Order is in effect through April 26, 2020. Everyone is asked 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
Community Center Workouts:
6:30-7:25AM Virtual Dynamic Circuit
9-10AM Virtual Power Training
11-11:20AM Virtual Fit Family Fun
10:15-11:15AM Virtual Story Times with the Library
Cuentacuentos en español / Spanish Story Time
All are welcome for family fun time as we share stories and rhymes in Spanish.
2-3PM Call In: Climate Change – with the Library
Earth Day is April 22. Scientists are predicting a global average temperature increase of 2.5 to 10 degrees over the next century. Likely impacts include more droughts and heatwaves as well as stronger and more frequent hurricanes. Sea levels are predicted to rise 1-4 feet by 2100, submerging vast areas of land. Join Active Minds as they examine the predictions and the politics given the US withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. Call 303-502-5189 to participate.
4PM Virtual Kids Martial Arts Class with the Library
Learn Martial Arts from your living room! This fun, interactive beginner Martial Arts course will get your child up off of the couch and moving. Your child will love learning the exciting, and challenging moves to get their blood pumping and the sweat flowing. No experience needed. Suitable for ages 4-12. Join by clicking Log In. You may be asked to download WebEx if not already on your platform.
Golden History Moment
First, I apologize for giving such a strong recommendation to watch Donna Anderson’s talk about the White Ash Coal Mine Disaster and then not providing the link. Watch it here.
Second, thanks for all the good suggestions for future history articles. I got some good ones!
• Where did Golden’s original settlers come from–southerners who lost all, newly freed folks, soldiers with PTSD. Did those folks find a home in Golden?
• Discovery of dinosaur parts and pieces
• YWCA Camp on Lookout Mountain
• The Tepees near the El Rancho
• Camp George West
• History of the pet store, the Merc, Woods Mortuary, Jewelers, Tire shop
• The Beaver Brook Trail
• Notables in the Golden Cemetery
• Rockland School
• Georgetown dam failure and flood in Golden
• Lookout Mountain Hill climb
• Rumor of a tunnel between the Loveland building and the Astor House
• Original Street Names
• Economic effect 1919 & after, in Colorado & US, of Spanish Flu & WWI? Bust or boom?
• Past uses of North Table Mountain
Today’s Topic:
The Lookout Mountain Hill Climb
For three years–1953, 1954, and 1955–Golden had a Hill Climb up the Lariat Loop. The event was organized as part of the Buffalo Bill Days celebration. The organizers included the American Legion, VFW, Golden Lions, Kiwanis, and Optimist Clubs, Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, and the Buffalo Bill Saddle Club. The combined group that worked on the Buffalo Bill celebration called themselves the Golden Civic Organization.
Practice Runs were held on Saturday and the “race against the clock” took place on Sunday afternoon. The participants didn’t race simultaneously; they went one at a time a competed for the fasted time. The course was described as a “4-1/2 mile recently pave mountain road of 56 curves and seven switchbacks, rising well over 2,000 feet.” The trophies were distributed by a beauty pageant winner with the title “Miss Most Dangerous Curves.” The Hill Climb was intended to be the centerpiece and high point of Buffalo Bill Days.
The first year was marred by two events. During the Saturday time trials, one of the racers died of a heart attack. The Sunday race took place during a torrential downpour. Even so, the event attracted an estimated 25,000 spectators. Golden’s Paul Reeves (who designed the Howdy Folks Welcome Arch) took 2nd place in Class E in his MG. His time was 7 minutes, 13.5 seconds.
The 1954 Hill Climb was an even bigger event. It attracted 50,000 spectators, the weather was good, and Paul Reeves took first place in the over 1500 cc production class, with a time of 6 minutes, 4 seconds in his Jaguar. There was every reason to believe that our Hill Climb would become a national racing event.
The Lookout Mountain Hill Climb hit a big (and fatal) bump in its third and final year. The August 11, 1955 Colorado Transcript includes a front page article that begins as follows.
The Transcript this week received the following letter from Gov. Ed. C. Johnson of the State of Colorado after an article appeared in this paper, stating that the County Commissioners had okayed the Lookout Mountain Hill Climb.
The Governor told them that, Henceforth there will be no more auto races on public road, streets, or highways any place in Colorado. County Commissioners and Mayors do not have the authority to set aside the laws of the State of Colorado. As Chief Executive I cannot permit lawlessness in Jefferson or any other county. I am enclosing a copy of the order of the State Patrol Board which means exactly what it says.
Since the Governor had made that proclamation so shortly before the scheduled event, he allowed the Lookout Mountain Hill Climb to take place in 1955–but that was the last year.
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.
