After writing Thursday's piece about the Golden Landmarks Association, I found Richard Gardner’s more complete history on Facebook, which he has kindly allowed me to reprint. GLA is currently celebrating their 53rd year! This is the thirteenth in a series of articles describing the histories of Golden Cultural Alliance members.
By Richard Gardner
Golden Landmarks Association was officially organized by citizens of the Golden community on Valentines Day, February 14, 1972. With roots dating to 1971, this group of concerned people of Golden, alarmed over the increasing demise of places cherished in Golden’s heritage, incorporated Colorado’s second nonprofit historic preservation group (after Historic Denver) in their bid to save the endangered Astor House hotel at 822 12th Street downtown. The old stone landmark had sheltered many since pioneer Seth Lake built it in 1867, but it now stood in jeopardy of becoming a parking lot as other landmarks had become before it. With great energy, dedication and resolve the people of Golden Landmarks convinced a divided City Council to let the public decide this issue, and on June 13, 1972 69% of Golden’s voters voted to save it. Afterward GLA restored the building, collected artifacts and turned it into the Astor House Museum, which it continued to run for 25 years.
Since its creation Golden Landmarks has also worked to save other area landmarks and historical artifacts. GLA has also saved or helped save the historic Burgess House hotel (1015 Ford Street), the Pearce and Reynolds cabins and Guy Hill School at Clear Creek History Park (900 11th Street), the Brickyard House on the far north side (1225 Catamount Drive), the photo and artifact collections of early Western movie star Pete Morrison and historian RichardNJK Ronzio, and much more.
GLA has helped create the 12th Street, 8th & 9th Street and East Street Historic Districts, and has hosted community events and celebrations including the Living Landmarks Dinner and the Holiday House Tour.
Today the mission of GLA includes encouraging preservation of Golden’s historic and manmade and natural landmarks, educating people on Golden’s rich and colorful past, studying and documenting Golden’s history and traditions, and taking care of its collections of artifacts, photographs and textiles. Highlights of the history of Golden Landmarks, activities GLA has spearheaded or been a part of:
- 1971 – Golden Landmarks Association initially formed
- 1972 – Golden Landmarks officially incorporated- Astor House saved by vote of the people- Astor House Museum and collection began
- 1973 – Astor House designated on National Historic Register
- 1975 – Guy Hill School saved and moved into Golden
- 1976 – Colorado Territory Park established at Astor House location
- 1981 – Annual Golden Holiday House Tour began
- 1983 – 12th Street Historic District designated on National Historic Register – Golden Preservation Ordinance enacted
- 1986 – Pete Morrison Collection acquired
- 1991 – Astor House added to 12th Street Historic District
- 1994 – Pearce Ranch cabins saved and moved into Golden – Clear Creek History Park established – Magic Mountain Site archaeological dig
- 1995 – Burgess House saved and designated – Guy Hill School designated and moved to Clear Creek History Park – Richard A. Ronzio Collection acquired
- 1997 – Astor House restoration completed – Efforts help save the Goosetown Tavern – Pullman House logs acquired and returned to Golden – Goldenfest taken over by Golden Landmarks
- 1999 – Goldenlandmarks.com website debut
- 2002 – Living Landmarks Dinner began – Oral History Project commenced – 8th & 9th Street Historic District designated
- 2003 – Table Mountain Tales awards began
- 2004 – East Street Historic District designated
- 2006 – Golden Chateau designated – Brickyard House saved and designated
- 2009 – Brickyard House structural stabilization and exterior restoration completed
- 2011 – GLA given Norm & Ethel Meyer Award for historic preservation by Jefferson County
- 2020 – Astor House designated Landmark Property by City
If you’d like to be part of or contribute to what Golden Landmarks is all about, call GLA President Bill Litz at 303-475-9747 or take a look at the GLA website at goldenlandmarks.com.
Yesterday's link to Arlone Child's book about Golden Landmarks didn't work (lingering after-effects of my move to a different server last year), so here it is again:
