Golden in Jefferson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Jolly Rancher 1113 Washington Avenue

City of Golden, Downtown Landmark, Historic Preservation Board

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, July 4, 2011

1. Jolly Rancher 1113 Washington Avenue Marker

Inscription. In May of 1949, Bill and Dorothy Harmsen purchased an ice cream machine and leased a storefront on the east side of Washington Ave. The Harmsens chose the name Jolly Rancher for their store to reflect a spirit of western hospitality. High quality chocolates and soft-serve ice cream were the first products dispensed at The Jolly Rancher. In the early 1950s, Bill invented a soft cinnamon-flavored taffy that he called the Fire Stix. Long ago, the company outgrew the storefront. The original building burned down in 1966.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1949.

Location. 39° 45.348′ N, 105° 13.295′ W. Marker is in Golden, Colorado, in Jefferson County. It is on Washington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1113 Washington Avenue, 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: 1115 Washington Avenue (here, next to this marker); Overland Hotel (here, next to this marker); The Golden Plunge 1928-1941 (a few steps from this marker); Eakers Department Store 1953-1985 (a few steps from this marker); 1114 Washington Avenue (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Golden Arch (a few steps from this marker); Iller Block (within shouting distance of this marker); 1120 Washington Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Golden.

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Jolly Rancher 1113 Washington Avenue Marker Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Leslie Eudy, November 1, 2025

2. Jolly Rancher 1113 Washington Avenue Marker Wide View

Marker is under the street number on the right side of the building.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,246 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 27, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. 2. submitted on November 2, 2025, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.