Greeley’s Crossing

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, July 4, 2011

1. Greeley’s Crossing Marker

Inscription.

Greeley’s Crossing. . , In June, 1859, while the first bridge was being built over Clear Creek, the famous reporter Horace Greeley passed through Golden. He attempted to cross Clear Creek from this point on the south bank. Horace embarked on his mule from the river bank which lies directly before you. Later, after he traveled from Golden City to Central City to witness the Gregory Diggings,” he wrote his famous line “Go west young man, go west.” Edward Berthoud, whose home was just behind where you stand, reported on Horace Greeley’s adventurous river crossing:,

"Vasquez Fork was rapidly rising into an impetuous torrent; every day its waters were more and more difficult to pass, for the excited crowd of gold prospectors that steadily pressed into the mountains. Mr. Ferrell saw the difficulty and immediately constructed a bridge, first for foot passengers, and soon after for teams and wagons. The bridge was a success, and the investment paid. Just prior to its completion, Horace Greeley, mounted on a mule, dressed in a rough garb of a traveler, with his old white hat firmly pressed on his head, rode up to the bank of Clear Creek, where now stands Capt. Berthoud’s barn. Horace was bound to see all that Pike’s Peak promised to its votaries. He had heard that Vasquez Fork, like another Pactolus, rolled over Golden sands; that in the mountains peaks west of Platte, the miners had discovered gold everywhere, and that all that was needed was work and small capital to produce untold wealth for all. In view of this, he had sallied out; and now before him roared a vicious, impetuous mountain torrent, that must be passed. Fearless he plunged in, mule and all, and right manfully he did buffet the angry waves; but the waves prevailed; mule, rider and old white hat stood not on the order of their going, bud danced merrily down to swell the turbid Platte. Horror struck at the accident, and the whole population rode or ran to the rescue. The mule first landed, and Charity or the Good Samaritan, in th shape of a sturdy miner with a boat-hook soon rescued the now half-drowned author, and by the seat of his unmentionables, dragged him safely to shore."

In June, 1859, while the first bridge was being built over Clear Creek, the famous reporter Horace Greeley passed through Golden. He attempted to cross Clear Creek from this point on the south bank. Horace embarked on his mule from the river bank which lies directly before you. Later, after he traveled from Golden City to Central City to witness the Gregory Diggings,” he wrote his famous line “Go west young man, go west.” Edward Berthoud, whose home was just behind where you stand, reported on Horace Greeley’s adventurous river crossing:

"Vasquez Fork was rapidly rising into an impetuous torrent; every day its waters were more and more difficult to pass, for the excited crowd of gold prospectors that steadily pressed into the mountains. Mr. Ferrell saw the difficulty and immediately constructed a bridge, first for foot passengers, and soon after for teams and wagons. The bridge was a success, and the investment paid. Just prior to its completion, Horace Greeley, mounted on a mule, dressed in a rough garb of a traveler, with his old white hat firmly pressed on his head, rode up to the bank of Clear Creek, where now
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stands Capt. Berthoud’s barn. Horace was bound to see all that Pike’s Peak promised to its votaries. He had heard that Vasquez Fork, like another Pactolus, rolled over Golden sands; that in the mountains peaks west of Platte, the miners had discovered gold everywhere, and that all that was needed was work and small capital to produce untold wealth for all. In view of this, he had sallied out; and now before him roared a vicious, impetuous mountain torrent, that must be passed. Fearless he plunged in, mule and all, and right manfully he did buffet the angry waves; but the waves prevailed; mule, rider and old white hat stood not on the order of their going, bud danced merrily down to swell the turbid Platte. Horror struck at the accident, and the whole population rode or ran to the rescue. The mule first landed, and Charity or the Good Samaritan, in th shape of a sturdy miner with a boat-hook soon rescued the now half-drowned author, and by the seat of his unmentionables, dragged him safely to shore."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1859.

Location. Marker

Greeley’s Crossing of Clear Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, July 4, 2011

2. Greeley’s Crossing of Clear Creek

has been permanently removed. It was located near 39° 45.411′ N, 105° 13.329′ W. Marker was in Golden, Colorado, in Jefferson County. It was on Washington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1027 Washington Ave, Golden CO 80401, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in Colorado’s Front Range.

It was also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Horace Greeley’s Crossing Point (here, next to this marker); Winter Wind on the Mesa (a few steps from this marker); Bridge Load Ordinance Background (a few steps from this marker); 922 Washington Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Native Americans on Clear Creek (within shouting

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distance of this marker); The White Ash Mine Disaster (within shouting distance of this marker); Clear Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Transportation (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Golden.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Ferrell/Berthoud Home (Miners Hotel) (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 889 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on November 11, 2025, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.