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

Arapahoe City

Photographed by Richard Flint, June 21, 2018

1. Arapahoe City Marker

Replacement marker

Inscription.
In this immediate area once stood
Arapahoe City
A pioneer placer mining camp the earliest town in Jefferson County. Named for the Arapaho Indians. Town company organized Nov. 29, 1858. From here went George A. Jackson and John H. Gregory to make their historic gold discoveries near Idaho Springs and Central City. Arapahoe's population was 80 in 1860. Extensive gold dredging operations of 1904 covered part of the site.

Erected by the State Historical Society of Colorado from the Mrs. J.N.Hall foundation and by students of Fairmount school, A.D. Odaintance and the American Pioneer Trails Association. 1946

Erected 1946 by State Historical Society of Colorado.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the History Colorado series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 29, 1858.

Location. 39° 46.5′ N, 105° 10.7′ W. Marker is near Golden, Colorado, in Jefferson County. It is on W 44th Ave (County Route 58) 0.1 miles west of McIntyre Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1600 W 44th Ave, Golden CO 80403, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Goosetown Tavern (approx. 2.4 miles away); 700 Tenth Street (approx. 2.6 miles away); Horace Greeley’s Crossing Point (approx. 2.6 miles away); Iller Block (approx. 2.7

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miles away); Winter Wind on the Mesa (approx. 2.7 miles away); Eakers Department Store 1953-1985 (approx. 2.7 miles away); The Golden Plunge 1928-1941 (approx. 2.7 miles away); Overland Hotel (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Golden.

Other markers no longer nearby. Ferrell/Berthoud Home (Miners Hotel) (was approx. 2.6 miles away but has been permanently removed); Greeley’s Crossing (was approx. 2.6 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Richard Flint, June 21, 2018

2. Arapahoe City Marker

Replacement marker

Dedication of the Arapahoe City Marker image. Click for full size.

Colorado Historical Society, April 28, 1946

3. Dedication of the Arapahoe City Marker

Dedication of historic marker of the site of Arapahoe City, April 28, 1946. At left is Charles L. Palmer, one of first white children born in Arapahoe's vicinity, and Sioux Chief Big Snake.

Original Arapahoe City Tablet image. Click for full size.

4. Original Arapahoe City Tablet

This tablet went missing a number of years ago.

Photographed by Leslie Eudy, November 4, 2025

5. Arapahoe City Marker

This marker is now behind a chain link fence with no close access.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2015, by Richard Flint of Golden, Colorado. This page has been viewed 1,276 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on May 3, 2015, by Richard Flint of Golden, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2018, by Richard Flint of Golden, Colorado. 3, 4. submitted on May 3, 2015, by Richard Flint of Golden, Colorado. 5. submitted on November 5, 2025, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.