Golden in Jefferson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
History of the Avenue Bridge
Photographed by Barbara Miranda, November 1, 2025
1. History of the Avenue Bridge Marker
History of the Avenue Bridge
The 1859 gold rush brought many people from all walks of life to the Golden valley as a portal to the mountain gold fields. When spring came, Clear Creek's waters rose and it became a daring adventure for anyone to cross. In early June, 1859 a camper at the river, John M. Ferrell, built a toll bridge at this site so the gold seekers could safely make the crossing. It was one of the first bridges built in Colorado.
The pedestrian bridge was made of hewn logs and was 75 feet long. The bridge was so popular that Mr. Ferrell quickly expanded it for wagons. On June 16th the valley settlers founded Golden City, and their Golden City Association purchased the bridge and made it free for all to cross.
Early in 1860, the Association upgraded the crossing, hiring Daniel L. McCleery to build a new bridge. It was made of hewn timbers 5 inches thick, spanned 75 feet, and was 24 feet wide. The 4-foot sidewalk was separated from the main bridge by a 32 inch railing. It was built upon stone abutments and used stringers made of 7 by 15 inch timbers. This design was identical to the recently established Ford Street Bridge which was located 200 yards downstream.
That Washington Avenue Bridge was destroyed in the flood of 1864. With no town company still operating,
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts.
Location. 39° 45.404′ N, 105° 13.361′ W. Marker is in Golden, Colorado, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from Washington Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located on the west side of the Washington Avenue bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Golden CO 80401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: History of the Avenue Bridge 2 (here, next to this marker); History of the Avenue Bridge 3 (here, next to this marker); Recent History of Clear Creek (here, next to this marker); Fearsome Floods (here, next to this marker); History of the Avenue Bridge 4 (here, next to this marker); Floods on Clear Creek (here, next to this marker); Gold (a few steps from this marker); Irrigation and Farming (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Golden.
Photographed by Barbara Miranda, November 1, 2025
2. History of the Avenue Bridge Marker. wide view
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2025, by Barbara Miranda of Idaho Springs, Colorado. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 10, 2025, by Barbara Miranda of Idaho Springs, Colorado. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
