David King Wall, one of Golden’s early permanent settlers, arrived from South Bend, Indiana on April 30, 1859. He brought a great deal of garden seed and tools with him. King defied the common belief that growing a garden would be impossible due to . . . — — Map (db m50595) HM
On Clear Creek Canyon Road, on the left when traveling west.
Clear Creek Country
To the south of Clear Creek Canyon, Idaho Springs, the site of George A. Jackson’s January 1859 gold strike, a thriving gold camp, and now a National Historic District, saw its population jump to 12,000 during the 1860s. . . . — — Map (db m316356) HM
On Washington Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
1200 Washington Avenue
The Everett Block enshrines the memory of one of the greatest scandals of early Golden. Frances E. Everett, banker, mining investor, and respected businessman built this commercial block in 1873. Twice elected mayor, he . . . — — Map (db m288348) HM
On 12th Street east of Arapahoe Street, on the right when traveling west.
The Astor House opened in 1867 and stayed in continuous operation as a boarding house until the late 1960s. It offered rooms and hot meals to lawmakers, laborers, miners, students, and families, some of whom stayed for weeks or even months.
Over . . . — — Map (db m152730) HM
On Washington Avenue at 12th Street, on the right when traveling north on Washington Avenue.
Built in 1871, the Iller Block is the oldest commercial building in Jefferson County and one of the first built in Colorado. Originally the Mallon & Chamberlain meat market, the store featured marble counters harvested in Marble, Colorado, from . . . — — Map (db m287716) HM
Gilpin County, Colorado
Black Hawk History
Transportation
Early miners reached Black Hawk by any means possible–on horseback or on foot tugging pack mules, later via supply-laden wagons and eventually by time-saving train.
“…the . . . — — Map (db m287340) HM
Alfred Packer was born on January 21, 1842, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He served in the Union Army during the Civil War and was discharged in June 1863 for epilepsy. Packer traveled to the Rockies and worked for the mines for 9 years. In . . . — — Map (db m182105) HM
On April 6, 1883, the trial for Alferd Packer began at the Hinsdale County Courthouse. This trial was for the murder of Israel Swan. On April 13, 1883, Packer was found guilty by a jury and received a death sentence. Packer's First . . . — — Map (db m291799) HM
Near West Alameda Parkway 0.1 miles west of Colorado Highway 470, on the right when traveling west.
Designated a Colorado Natural Area in 2002, the Dakota Hogback/Dinosaur Ridge Natural Area in Jefferson County is a crown jewel of statewide, national and international importance. The Dakota Hogback/Dinosaur Ridge Natural Area exemplifies all the . . . — — Map (db m80464) HM
“Courthouse Hill,” which is Washington Avenue south of 14th Street, was a favorite location of settler children. In the winter, sleds packed with eager youth picked up sufficient speed on the Hill to be able to coast across the . . . — — Map (db m50092) HM
On Grandview Avenue, on the left when traveling east.
McIlvoy House
Dennis D. and Clemency McIlvoy came from Indiana to Black Hawk, Colorado in 1859. Clemency was one of the first women to reside in Black Hawk. In 1860, Dennis helped place the boundary markers for Jefferson County. The couple . . . — — Map (db m292587) HM
On Washington Avenue. Reported permanently removed.
John M. Ferrell came to the Golden valley from upstate New York in June of 1859. He camped on the southeastern banks of Clear Creek and created the Washington Avenue crossing for the gold rushers. When Golden was organized, Ferrell became one of . . . — — Map (db m287883) HM
Devoted family man and visionary businessman.
John Brisben Walker is personally responsible for the way much of the front range looks in this area. In his quest for the perfect place to build a home for his family, he preserved thousands . . . — — Map (db m141095) HM
On W 44th Ave (County Route 58) 0.1 miles west of McIntyre Street, on the left when traveling west.
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 . . . — — Map (db m82878) HM
On Capital Street 0.1 miles south of East 4th Street, on the right when traveling south.
At Deadwood on August 2, 1876, Jack McCall shot "Wild Bill" Hickok in the back of his head. When a vigilante court tried him, he claimed Bill had killed his brother and the vigilantes let him go. Later, due to his boasting, at Laramie City, US . . . — — Map (db m177712) HM
Windy Saddle Park
Jefferson County Open Space
Windy Saddle Park offers sweeping scenic views and trail connections to adjoining areas. Recreation opportunities on Chimney Gulch Trail and Lookout Mountain Trail included hiking, biking and . . . — — Map (db m46158) HM
Imagine…living in a luxurious, French chateau-inspired mansion surrounded by the farms and pastures of 1930s Jefferson County. In 1937, during the Great Depression, wealthy heiress Mary Madeline “May” Bonfils had her stately manor house built on the . . . — — Map (db m287087) HM
Near North Burlington Avenue (U.S. 281) near West 14th Street.
The Martin Brothers
There's More to the Story
After decades of failed treaties, disease epidemics, and the repeated loss of territory, the conditions of Native American tribes on the plains consistently became worse. When the . . . — — Map (db m287724) HM
Near Washington Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
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 . . . — — Map (db m288288) HM
On Washington Street, on the right when traveling north.
History of the Avenue Bridge 2
The 1864 bridge was destroyed by flood in
1867, despite the citizens' valiant effort to
defend it from unusually high spring waters.
Vigilant people had, however, saved as much
wood as they could in . . . — — Map (db m288404) HM
Thin black lines indicate changes in relevance. Between each pair of lines entries are ordered geographically but all have the same relevance.
* Inflectional forms of words are their plurals, singulars, and possessives as well as gramatical tenses and similar variations.
