154 Years Ago
The August 17, 1870 Colorado Transcript announced that “Mr. Doolittle’s splendid stone stable is receiving the roof, and will be ready for occupancy in a few days…. When fairly settled in his new quarters he will have as fine a livery stable outfit a the most fastidious could require. We commend his enterprise.”
Doolittle built up a fine fleet of vehicles, including the only Hearse in Golden. He operated the stable for ten years and sold it in 1880. The business went through several owners, including Lake & Covey (1880-1884), Jud Fowler (1884-1886), Fenn (1886-1888), John Williams (1888), and Elwood & Hiskey (1888).
C. W. Lake bought the business in 1889, and for the next 22 years it was owned at various times by either C. W. Lake or Joseph Dennis or the partnership of Lake & Dennis.
In 1901, Lake moved on and Dennis took a new partner–“Shorty” Cunningham. Dennis & Cunningham ran the business until 1911. Cunningham then ran it alone until 1915.
By 1917, automobiles were becoming widespread enough that livery (rental of horses and carriages/wagons) was a dying industry. The March 8, 1917 Colorado Transcript announced that the horses, carriages, harness, etc. had been sold at auction. The article remarks that the sale “probably marks the end of the livery business in Golden.” For the next several decades, the building was used as a gas/service station.
In 1959, the old stone building was torn down. The stone was hauled away by the Colorado Central Power company and used for rip-rap at one of their buildings along the South Platte.
Many thanks to Esther Kettering for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of August.
