Golden, Jefferson County Colorado ~ 1871

This is one of the oldest and among the most prosperous cities of Colorado. Its location was chosen by gulch miners early in 1859, before the discovery of gold in the mountains. Its early growth in population and general importance was extremely rapid. It was for some time the principal city, as well as the capital of the Territory, and still maintains a proud position among Colorado cities, and may eventually rival the 'largest in wealth and population. Read more Golden Gazetteer or Golden Business Directory

The location is remarkable for the beauty and grandeur of its surroundings, and possesses unusual advantages, which will assuredly make it one of the first manufacturing cities of the great West. This is on Clear creek, between where it debouches from the foot-hills, and its final exit to the plains through the "Golden gate." Except these openings made by the creek, the site is surrounded by mountains on all sides. These do not reach any great elevation, but their formations are peculiarly beautiful and pictures. They are not generally covered with forests, but are clothed with grasses, only where the rocky strata present their bare outlines against a beautiful Colorado sky. Where the city is built in the valley of Clear creek the fall of that stream is about sixty-five feet per mile, and the supply of water sufficient at all seasons to drive any amount of machinery.

Besides this manufacturing advantage, there is in the city limits, and surrounding them, immense coal mines, already extensively worked; large deposits of fire and potter's clay, and quarries of excellent lime and building stone. Already these manufacturing advantages have attracted the attention of capitalists, and there is now in active operation in Golden a tannery, foundry, paper-mill, brewery, and an extensive pottery and fire-brick manufactory; three yards for the manufacture of ordinary brick, and three flourishing flour-mills. The supply of wheat for the flouring-mills is abundant from die agricultural districts near Golden, in Jefferson County, as is also the supply of barley for the brewery.

The abundance of cheap fuel, fire-clay and superior water-powers at Golden, together with its proximity to the gold districts of Gilpin and Boulder counties, make it a suitable point for the erection of extensive reduction work for the treatment of all grades of Colorado ores, and no doubt these will soon be added to the manufacturing industries of this favored city.

This place is at present the terminus of the Colorado Central railway, and the starting point of the Colorado Stage Co.'s stages for Black Hawk Central, Nevada, Idaho Springs and Georgetown. It is the county seat an. principal town of Jefferson county, and the home of the best educational institute in the Territory, Jarvis' Hall, which is noticed elsewhere, as are all its educational and religious advantages.

Besides the usual mercantile and manufacturing business of Golden, slaughtering and shipping cattle East by car loads are assuming considerable importance. The gross price paid for Texas cattle in the fall of 1870, was from 3 to 3½ cents per pound; for American cattle, 4 cents. Preparations for a large increase in this business are being made, and no doubt the returns from this in 1871, will be considerable.

The condition of all business and manufacturing enterprises in the city at this time, is prosperous, and prospects for the future most favorable. The fact of present railroad connection by the Colorado Central eastward, and the probability of western connection ere long, is benefitting the city materially. The lot of the citizens in this beautiful city is cast in pleasant places truly, and their town lots for building and business purposes, vary in price from $50 to $1,000; these are 50x140 feet, all in the valley, and most desirable building locations.

The site of Golden is in the northern central portion of Jefferson County, fifteen miles west of Denver; its elevation above sea level, 5,882 feet. It is needless to add that its climate is healthful, and the air clear and invigorating; these follow its location in Colorado.

Golden Gazetteer | Golden Business Directory

Rocky Mountain Directory & Colorado Gazetteer

Source: Rocky Mountain Directory and Colorado Gazetteer, 1871, S. S. Wallihan & Company, Compilers and Publishers, Denver, 1870.