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Snow, Rock-Climbing Films, COVID Stats, and an Artisan Village

Golden Eye Candy – Chris Davell – Spring Snow – enlarge

We’re expecting rain, followed by snow, today and tomorrow. See the forecast.


Virtual Events

6-6:55AM Virtual HIIT
8:30-9:30AM Power Training
9-9:55AM Strength and Cardio
11AM-12PM Kimodo for Balance
1-1:55PM Chair Yoga


Real World Events

10AM-12PM Rocky Mountain Quilt Study Group @ Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
10-11AM Yoga on Tap @ The Golden Mill
10:15-10:45AM Toddler Time @ Golden Library
12-9PM Third Anniversary @ Over Yonder Brewing
1-2PM The Friday Tour – The Locomotive: Steam & Diesel Tour @ Colorado Railroad Museum
3PM Vaccine, License & Microchip Clinic @ Foothills Animal Shelter
6-8PM Teen After Hours: Teen Iron Chef @ Golden Library
7-9PM Reel Rock 16 Screening @ American Mountaineering Center

7:30PM Blue Ridge @ Miners Alley Playhouse
If you haven’t seen Blue Ridge at Miners Alley yet, here’s some welcome news: it’s now available to watch on-demand! Tickets are only $15.


Live Music

5-8PM Big Hooray @ Goosetown Station
6PM The Sugar Ridge Band @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
6PM Jewel & the Rough @ Wrigley’s
7-10PM Will Whalen @ Buffalo Rose (Sky Bar Stage)

8-11PM KISSM @ Buffalo Rose (main venue)
9PM Karaoke @ Ace Hi Tavern


COVID Update

83.3% of residents 5+ have received at least one shot (unchanged since 5/12/22)

78.4% of residents 5+ have received at least two shots (+0.1% since 5/12/22)

47.4% of residents 5+ have received 3 shots (+0.2% since 5/12/22) – source

Jefferson County Case Summary:
Cases in Jeffco
– May 12th: 127,375 | May 19th: 128,657 (+1,282)
Deaths in Jeffco – May 12th: 1,437 | May 19th: 1,433 (-4)
Recovered – May 12th: 124,890 | May 19th: 125,695 (+805)
Currently Hospitalized – May 12th: 10 | May 19th: 12 (+2)
Known Cases in Golden – May 12th: 5,164 | May 19th: 5,225 (+61)

Golden Testing Site: Mines COVID Testing

More Public Health References
Sign up for exposure notifications | CDC | Colorado | Jefferson County | City of Golden

Where to get vaccinatedJefferson County


Golden History Moment

Plans for the 1959 Magic Mountain amusement park – Golden History Museum collection – enlarge

Magic Mountain was a short-lived attempt to recreate Disneyland in Golden, Colorado. It opened in 1959, closed the following year, and stood empty for the next decade. In 1969, it was purchased by Steven Arnold, a real estate developer.

Arnold had a different vision for the ersatz Victorian village. He didn’t want to build an amusement park; he wanted to establish an arts and crafts venue, with individual artists renting studios and selling their goods. By the spring of 1971, he was making some progress on his plan.

Heritage Square during the “Artisans Marketplace” era – enlarge

51 Years Ago
The May 20, 1971 Golden Transcript announced that a candle factory and a silversmith were getting ready to open their doors to the public. Eventually, they were joined by a glass blower, a blacksmith, a leather worker, a potter, and several other artisans.

Google Satellite image showing the Heritage Square property and the adjacent quarry – enlarge

Arnold’s company declared bankruptcy in 1984 and the property was eventually purchased by the quarry next door. The quarry allowed Heritage Square to continue for three more decades, and in that time many tenants occupied the grounds and buildings, including an amusement park, alpine slide, miniature railroad, the long-running Heritage Square Opera House, and many stores and restaurants. The entire complex was closed by the property owners in 2015.

Mostly-vacated Heritage Square property in 2020 – Patrick Klein – enlarge

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!

Highlights