Olde Town Arvada in Jefferson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Arvada's Trolleys

— Historic Olde Town Arvada Walking Tour —

Photographed by Carolyn J Deardorff, November 21, 2025

1. Arvada's Trolleys Marker

Inscription.
Dual Purpose Tracks
In 1901, the Denver City Tramway Company built a coal-fired electric plant in Denver to power its trolley system.

Cheap, plentiful coal was shipped from Leyden (Li-Den) to Denver over the 42-inch narrow gauge tracks of the Denver Northwestern Interurban Trolley Line. The trolleys carried passengers on the same tracks, bringing modern transportation to Arvada.

The line was acquired by Denver Tramway and operated between 1902 and 1950. This transportation connection to Denver encouraged Arvada’s subdivision development and was a link to the growing metropolitan area.

The First Commuters
Arvada commuters had only a forty-five minute trolley ride to work in downtown Denver. Shopping in Denver (a social event that called for hats and gloves), playing at White City Amusement Park and Casino (known today as Lakeside Amusement Park) and picnicking at Elitch Gardens became part of the Arvadan’s social life. Guests from Denver rode the trolley to Arvada to visit friends – Round tickets were 10 cents.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 39° 47.973′ N,

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105° 4.694′ W. Marker is in Arvada, Colorado, in Jefferson County. It is in Olde Town Arvada. It is on Grandview Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Located near the light rail station between Vance and Webster. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7307 Grandview Avenue, Arvada CO 80002, 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: McIlvoy House (a few steps from this marker); Roads and Trains (within shouting distance of this marker); Olde Town - New Town (within shouting distance of this marker); Doctor’s Office 7401 Grandview (within shouting distance of this marker); A Grand View (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Arvada Celebrates (about 500 feet away); Historic Olde Town's Buildings

Photographed by Carolyn J Deardorff, November 21, 2025

2. Arvada's Trolleys Marker

Marker is close to the Olde Town RTD Light Rail Station. When driving west on Grandview it’s on the south side of road between Vance and Webster.

(about 500 feet away); Arvada's First Park (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arvada.

Regarding Arvada's Trolleys. A restored trolley is in storage.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2025, by Carolyn J Deardorff of Broomfield, Colorado. This page has been viewed 57 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2025, by Carolyn J Deardorff of Broomfield, Colorado. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.