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WHO WE WORK FOR A Brief History of Jefferson County’s Biggest Employers (See story page 4) T H E J E F F E RS O N C O U N T Y H I S T O R I C A L C O M M

Photo above shows Esther Bishop and her “circus” in Creede (see story page 35) COMMISSION MEMBERS

Jack Raven, JCHC Kris Christensen, Donald E. Ebner, Jane Munro Gardner, Liz Priest Grady, Jerry Grunska, JCHC since 1997; Chair. JCHC since 1998. JCHC since 1990; JCHC since 1974. JCHC since 1991; 1999; Education and Past Recording Masters of Social Vice Chair. Past Twice past Chair, Corresponding Grants Committees. Secretary. President: Science UCD. Chair, Hall of past Secretary, Hall Secretary, numerous Retired High School Arvada Historical Project leader Fame, Writing of Fame honoree JCHC Committees. and College English Society, Arvada economic study of Awards, Placenames, 1993. Woman of Jeffco Cancer instructor; author of Lions Club & Pearl Street Mall Grants Historic the Year Award Crusade & Easter sports books and Arvada Cemetery for Historic Boulder. Preservation 1990. Contributor Seal Chair; Chair, sports officiating Association. Technical Advisor Committees. to From Scratch. R-1 Pre-planning; books; national Safeway Manager 26 CPI. Grantwriting and Retired Executive. President Colorado sports’ officials Years. Register Nominations. Symphony Guild. clinician. M I S S I O N JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWS 1999

In July 1999 the JCHC celebrated its 25th anniversary with a luncheon party at Mt.Vernon Country Club. Country singer Roz Brown provided entertainment, including “Home on the Range” and “Colorado Waltz” accompanied by his autoharp. UCD History professor Tom Noel recounted Jefferson County’s history with slides from the greatest natural land- marks to recent structures, including the County courthouse and “the Taj, that some day will be treasured like the Eiffel Tower or the dome of Monticello.” He praised the Commission for its writers contest, especially as an incentive for the young, and for the opportunities the Commission provides to college interns to work on historical projects. He also stated that Historically Jeffco is the only magazine published by a county historical commission in Colorado. Jack Raven succeeded Sharon Carr as chairman of the Commission in the Spring of 1999, after she resigned. Five new members were welcomed to the Commission: Gerald Grunska, Robert Lochary, Lawrence Lotito, Standish Penton, Jr., and Scott Pierson.The talents of these new members will be much appreciated in the years to come. We regret the resignation of former chairperson Sharon Carr, who was one of the charter members of the JCHC, appointed in 1974, and has given much of her time and effort to the Historical Commission and numerous committees. Mary Bindner, who also was a charter member of the JCHC and appointed in 1974, is also leaving the Commission this year. Mary was active as chairman in 1997 and has contributed to the former historic preservation task force and the committee for Hall of Fame. She ran the Festival of the West for many years. We will miss both of them.

EDUCATION In April, a group of Commission members attended a daylong workshop on the preserva- tion of family treasures at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. Professional con- servators from the Arvada Arts Center, the Arvada Historical Society, the Molly Brown House Museum, and the Rocky Mountain Conservation Center shared their knowledge about the intricacies of conserving old objects, such as books, textiles, (continued on page 44)

Photo above courtesy of Arvada Cover photo courtesy of Coors Brewing Company Historical Society Library Collection

Vi Mae Hader, Max W. Haug, Erlene Hulsey-Lutz, Dorothy Lombard, Rob Lochary, Lawrence Lotito, JCHC since 1985. JCHC since 1997; JCHC since 1986; JCHC since 1981; JCHC 1999; JCHC 1999. B.A. in Past Secretary/ Historian. Past Education, Grants, Place Names, Hall Preservation and Chemistry, Math, Historian. Manager President: Olde Publications, Hall of of Fame & Library Bylaws Committees. Meteorology & of the Golden Town Arvada Assn., Fame, & By-laws Committees. Past Deputy District Physics; Weather Chamber of Forward Arvada, Committees. Past Chair, Corres- Attorney of Officer during WWII Commerce; past Arvada Community Chair., Vice Chair, ponding & Jefferson County in Europe; recalled Curator for the Resources, and Secretary, & Recording DA’s office since to Korea. Retired as Astor Hotel Arvada Historical Historian. Real Secretary. Assisted 1993 Major in 1981. Long Museum. Society. Real Estate Estate Broker. 4th with From Scratch. civilian career in Agent 1954-1996. generation Coloradan. Europe and US. Published by The Jefferson County Historical Commission Volume 12, Issue 20, 1999 CONTENTS

Jefferson County: Beer, 4 Bullets, Bombs and Beyond ......

Rocky Flats: 14 A Military Pandora’. s. . Bo. . .x ......

Denver’s 21 Genesee Park

No Longer Just 25 Passing Through The Incorporation .of . . Lak. . . e. w. ood......

Memories from 28 Thirty Years Ago The Incorporation of Wheat Ridge

Carole Lomond, Marcetta Rhoads Lutz, Norman Meyer, Standish Penton, Jr., Rita Peterson, Scott Pierson, JCHC since 1997; JCHC since 1987; JCHC since 1986; JCHC 1999; Preser- JCHC since 1981; JCHC 1999. Publications, Place Names Grants and Place vation and Publica- Chair, Hall of Geography degree; Education, and Place Committee Chair. Names Committees. tion Committees. Fame Committee. past member Names Committees. Past Chair, Hall of Past Recording Has lived in Little- Past Treasurer & Minnesota Publisher City and Fame honoree Secretary. Journalist, ton since 1994; Chairman, past Historical Society Mountain Views, a 1996. Committee traveler, pilot, owns Normandy Editor of news magazine for Mt. chair for three photographer. Farms. Stan is active Historically Jeffco. Vernon Canyon. Arvada history Conifer rancher in CO Horsemen’s Writing a book of area books. since 1951. Native Council and the history. Coloradan. Denver Westerners. Museums in Jefferson County: The Morrison Museum of. . .N . atur. . . .al . .His . . .t or. . y. . . . 31...... The Morrison Heritage Museum 32 The Orum House 33

Jefferson County Historic Hall of Fame Irma Wyhs 34 G.S. Green 35

Historic Places in Jeffco: Enterprise Grange No. 25 36 Gateposts to the Lariat Loop 37 The Stewart Building ...... Golden...... 38 “Threatened” Historic Places The. . . .Alkir . . . .e . House...... 39 ......

Why Would I Want Designation for My Historic Place? 43

JCHC Publications Committee Erlene Hulsey-Lutz, Chair; Milly Roeder, Editor; Historically Jeffco Layout and Design Carole Lomond, Assistant Editor; Don Ebner, Liz by Fine Print Brochures & Photography Golden, CO Grady, Stan Penton, Jack Raven, Ruth Richardson 303.526.1969 [email protected]

Ruth Richardson, Milly Roeder, Kevin Rucker, Richard Simmons, JCHC Staff— JCHC Staff— JCHC since 1983; JCHC since 1995; JCHC since 1997; JCHC since 1997; Duncan Susan numerous JCHC Editor, Historically Place Names Com- Place Names McCollum, Casteleneto, committees. Active Jeffco, Historic mittee. History committee. Branch Director, Secretary, with local, county Preservation and educator/writer Manager and Archives Archives and and state PTA. other JCHC researcher Red Principal for and Records Records Member Jeffco committees. Rocks Comm. Sunamerica Management. Management. Citizens for Public College and CU Securities. Pilot Schools. Wheat Denver. Fort and flight Ridge resident over Lupton Historic instructor. 80 yrs. Preservation Board. BEER, BULLETS, BOMBS, AND BEYOND

A History of Jefferson County’s Biggest Employers

by John Dellinger

First, there was the land. Then there were people. Then came the work that sustained the people on the land. The land was marked with imag- inary lines that became a territory, and then a state, with shorter imaginary lines that became coun- ties in the state of Colorado. One Colorado county was named “Jefferson,” (as in twenty-four other states) honoring the princi- pal author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. President Jefferson was a native of Virginia who never traveled into the landscape of prairies, rivers, lakes, mountains, valleys, and deserts stretching toward the Pacif- ic Ocean. President Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark in 1804 to explore the American Continent west of the Missouri River. Fur trappers and traders followed. Pioneers came to the future Jef- ferson County in the 1860s hoping gold would make them rich. But only a lucky few found it. -4- a year. Free to leave Baltimore where the ship had docked, he began an uncharted journey west. After laboring with pick and shovel, Adolph began to work at the Stenger Brewery in Naperville, Illinois in 1869. In European tradi- tion, he had been apprenticed to a brewer at the age of fourteen. He learned more about the brewery business at Stenger. After three years, at age twenty- five, he left Stenger to search for new opportunities in the west. His departure may also have been motivated by John Stenger’s desire for Adolph to marry one of his daughters. Using money he had saved, he bought a partnership in a Denver bottling business in 1872. In less than a year, Adolph had become

All Coors photos courtesy of Coors Brewing Company the sole owner of the business and Left: Coors workers Above: Coors delivery wagon was selling bottled beer, ale, cider, Below: Adolph Coors, who opened Coors Brewery in Golden in 1874 when he wine, and seltzer water. was twenty-six years old. Five years earlier he had arrived in America as a penni- Knowing that water is the most less immigrant. important ingredient in beer, Adolph used Sundays, when his The Native Americans roamed identity. The second and third- business was closed, to search for without boundary lines to sustain generations often did not identify a suitable site for a brewery. Clear themselves by gathering and hunt- with the “old country.” They were Creek, a stream that flowed out of ing. Immigrants from the East car- “Americans” first and foremost. the mountains through Golden, ried on their customs by building Adolph Coors and his descen- met his criteria. Entering into a permanent settlements and com- dants followed that pattern. partnership with Jacob Schueler munities. Some became farmers Adolph Coors had been or ranchers. Others required wages orphaned at age fifteen. Choosing for their work. Where were the to avoid conscription into the jobs to come from that would Prussian army, Adolph stowed sustain the people in the land? away on a ship bound for America without money to pay passage. Coors Brewery When he arrived in America in Most immigrants found America 1868, three years after America’s to be the land of opportunity and Civil War ended, he was one of a place where their dreams might the half-million German immi- be realized. They left oppressive grants who came to America governments, wars, famine or between 1866 and 1879. Probably restrictive social classes and grateful not to have been thrown economic suppression for overboard when detected half-way opportunity in America. The first across the Atlantic, Adolph man- generation retained their cultural aged to pay for his passage within -5- Coors bottling is shown above. Jacob Schueler and Adolph century, employing thousands of workers, in addition to thou- Coors’ Golden Lager entered the market in 1874, two years sands of others across the country.Adolph Coors did not live before Colorado became a state. “Coors” survived Prohibition to see the repeal of Prohibition. He died in 1929 at the age and remained in America’s market place into the twenty-first of eighty-two and in poor health. who invested $18,000 to Adolph’s Lager, entered the market in 1874, At first, German was the pre- $2,000, the Golden Brewery was two years before Colorado became dominant language spoken at the founded. Adolph Coors, who had a state. “Coors” beer would remain brewery. Adolph was sympathetic arrived in America as a penniless in America’s market place into the to the German cause in World War immigrant five years earlier, had twenty-first century, employing I and sold war bonds to support attained a piece of the American thousands of workers, in addition Germany’s war effort against Eng- dream at age twenty-six. to thousands of others across the land. After a German submarine Competition was keen. There country. sank the Lusitania, he completely were already seven breweries in Adolph Coors gradually bought switched his allegiance and was a Denver that had a population of out Jacob Schueler’s share of the financial contributor to America’s about 50,000, with no other large business until he owned it all in war effort. German was no longer communities nearby. Coors met 1880. At age thirty-two, Adolph spoken at the brewery. the competition head on, as he married Louisa Weber of Denver. Prohibition following World War would throughout the succeeding They began the family that contin- I nearly ruined the business, but decades. He adhered to a strict ued to guide the brewery to the Coors’ innovative ability enabled work ethic, high quality products, present day, becoming less German manufacture of porcelain products and innovation. and more American with each and non-alcoholic beverages. Malted Schueler and Coors’ Golden succeeding generation. milk products became a staple of

-6- Coors until the Twenty-first Amend- who had been mayor of Denver Red Rocks Amphitheater. ment to the U.S. Constitution from 1923 to 1931 and was making The Civilian Conservation Corps brought legal alcohol back in 1933. a comeback. set up barracks at the town of Although beer was once again Mayor Stapleton rewarded Morrison and Katherine Craig Park Coors’ main product, malted milk Cranmer by offering him any job in Mt. Vernon Canyon. Several was still produced until the 1950’s. he desired in city government. hundred young men left those Adolph Coors did not live to Wanting to continue the legacy barracks each workday morning see the repeal of Prohibition. Five started by Robert Speer, Cranmer to chisel, blast, jackhammer, carve, months before the Stock Market chose Manager of Parks and shovel, and haul away rock, creat- Crash in 1929, at the age of eighty- Improvements. Speer was Denver’s ing one of the most beautiful out- two and in poor health, he died in mayor from 1904 to 1912, and door amphitheaters in the world. Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he from 1916 to 1918. Speer beautified When Red Rocks was completed in had gone to recover from the flu. the city with Speer Boulevard and 1941, America entered World War Adolph Coors lived his free generated parks and civic buildings. II and instituted its first peacetime enterprise dream by founding a Speer’s vision included parklands draft into the military service. company that has provided jobs in the mountains for the enjoy- America needed to manufacture for thousands of Americans and ment of Denver residents. military weapons. helped make Jefferson County, Denver’s mountain parks grew Colorado, what it is today. to 47, and include the Buffalo Bill The Federal Center Memorial Museum, Genesee Park, George Cranmer hosted a party Civilian Conservation Corps Dedisse Park, Summit Lake Park for Congressmen who had inspect- Jefferson County’s next major near Mount Evans, and Winter Park. ed thirty-nine possible sites for an source of employment was prompt- As the New Deal got rolling in Army Air Corps training center. ed by an event and an individual. the 1930’s, government jobs Denver, the fortieth site, got the During World War II, George relieved those suffering from the nod from the Congressional Cranmer brought the Denver Ord- Great Depression. George Cranmer committee, that brought thousands nance Depot, later named the was smart enough to grab labor, of airmen to Lowry Air Base begin- Remington Arms Plant and today skills, and materials, funded by the ning with World War II until it was known as the Denver Federal Cen- Federal Government, to construct closed in 1998. ter, to Jefferson County. He was Photo courtesy of Morrison Heritage Museum. also the driving force behind the creation of Red Rocks Amphithe- ater as Denver’s Manager of Improvements and Parks. George Cranmer was born in Denver in 1884 and graduated from Princeton in 1907. As a Den- ver stockbroker, Cranmer had the good fortune to sell his share of a business partnership in 1928, before the stock market crashed in 1929. Wealthy and without the worry of being impoverished dur- ing the Depression of the 1930s, Cranmer devoted his time and energy to civic causes. In 1935, Cranmer managed the successful mayoral election campaign of Benjamin Stapleton, The Civilian Conservation Corps at work on Red Rocks Amphitheatre. -7- When Cranmer learned that the bringing materials to the site. Even C-rations to feed the troops government was considering sites Earth-moving machines, hammers were turned out under a contract for a plant to manufacture small- pounding, dust rising, work boots with General Foods. arms ammunition, he helped trampling through mud, orders Peak employment reached secure a site selected halfway shouted, saws biting into wood, nearly 20,000, about half women between Denver and Golden. Eight wires strung for electricity, in and half men, working around miles or so “out in the country,” blowing snow through a summer the clock. Whenever an American in Jefferson County, was thought of scorching sun, buildings went soldier fired a rifle, it was more to be a safe enough distance from up in record-breaking time. On than likely a bullet from Jefferson the urban population to manufac- October 26, 1941, when the plant County that sped out the barrel ture and test bullets. was completed enough to be and helped the allies win the war. The area where the plant was to dedicated, over one hundred build- When the dust settled and a less be constructed was accessed by ings were readied for use. About frantic time returned in 1945 at Sixth Avenue (then a gravel road) two hundred buildings were sur- the end of World War II, the work west of Sheridan Boulevard. Dirt rounded by a wire fence. Guard force of the Denver Ordnance roads led to Photo courtesy of the National Archives, Rocky Mountain Region Plant was quickly farms, clusters of disbanded. The homes, Lakewood buildings briefly Country Club, stood silent—but and a greenhouse not for long. operation owned The weeds hardly and operated by had time to grow florist Lester Ben- unchecked before son. Children new tenants crossed Sixth moved in. Avenue to attend The Veteran’s Washington Administration Heights Elemen- was the first tary School at 1st agency to take Avenue and Jay up residence at Street. At Tenth the “Denver Fed- Avenue and eral Center.” In Wadsworth, Lake- February 1946, wood High other Federal School served stu- agencies quickly dents from urban Shift change at the Denver Odnance Plant. After only eight months of con- filled the campus struction, over 100 buildings were ready for the first workers to produce and rural areas. ammunition in October, 1941. Peak employment reached about 20,000. with as many Beyond Wads- employees in worth, the few miles to the chosen towers protected the site. peacetime as during the war. plant site were more “country.” The Denver Ordnance Plant, or As the clock ticks into the 21st The peaceful quiet of Jefferson “Remington Arms,” as it became century, the Federal Center is still County was shattered in January known for the government con- one of the leading places of 1941, when the Federal Govern- tract that had been awarded to employment in Jefferson County. ment bought Hayden Ranch to the Remington Arms Company to build the munitions plant. operate the plant, soon began to Rocky Flats About six-thousand construc- spit out .30-caliber ammunition, During the next “hot war” after tion workers started work in the including ball, armor-piercing, World War II, Jefferson County area on February 17, 1941. Trucks tracer, and incendiary. Later, heavy did not supply American troops roared up and down Sixth Avenue, artillery shells were manufactured. with bullets. For many Americans,

-8- the Korean War or “Police Action,” as President Harry Tru- man called it, was just a side show. The real war was the “Cold War,” a balancing act between the United States and the Soviet Union that threatened a nuclear holocaust. The Cold War did not fill up graveyards the way hot wars had. Opponents stood off each other with a policy called “Mutual Assured Destruction.” If the Soviet Union or the United States launched a nuclear attack, they both knew they would be destroyed by a retaliatory attack. To keep the threat credible, each competed in the production of nuclear weapons and demonstrated terror for the “enemy.” Weapons would be used if necessary. Jefferson County played a major role in America’s fight against communism. Secrecy, secrecy, secrecy. Not even local politicians knew the plant was coming until it burst into newspaper headlines with the suddenness of an earthquake—a forty-five-million-dollar top-secret atomic plant—the cost and number of employees projected depended on whose newspaper story you believed. This plant was not pro- Rocky Flats photos courtesy of Rocky Flats ducing atomic bombs, but doing A Rocky Flats worker is shown holding a trigger for nuclear weapons. something with atomic war pro- By 1952, 1,081 people worked in four different sections of Rocky Flats. duction. Secrecy. Cloak and dagger. Cold War. Americans were proud of whatever cans into the conflict. As the In the spring of 1951, under the it was Rocky Flats was doing to 1960’s progressed, America became direction of the Atomic Energy defend their country. a turbulent mass of protests involv- Commission, Dow Chemical Then the civil rights movement ing civil rights, Vietnam, draft-card Company was contracted to build came to life in the 1950’s. Presi- burners, women’s rights, anti- Rocky Flats out in the “country” dent Kennedy was assassinated in nuclear demonstrations, plus envi- near Highway 93—away from Den- 1963. The Vietnam War, that had ronmental activists. Whatever it ver residents. Security fences sur- been simmering on a back burner, was, there was usually someone to rounded the site and workers bubbled to life for America, as protest, and, during the 1970s, poured in through closely guarded President Lyndon Johnson sent someone to protest the protesters. gates. Secrecy prevailed as patriotic ever-increasing numbers of Ameri- On October 15, 1983, an

-9- prompted Jefferson County Health Department Director Carl Johnson to publish studies linking plutoni- um from Rocky Flats to increased incidences of cancer in people and animals living near the plant. The Jefferson County Board of Health fired him, but the FBI shut down the plant. Nestled at the foot of Col- orado’s beautiful Rocky Moun- tains, the Rocky Flats plant pro- duced nuclear triggers from 1953 to 1989. If nuclear bombs were to be used, these triggers, made in Jefferson County, would be the part that set off the bombs.Thou- sands of employees worked at the manufacturing plant. Thousands have continued to work there to remove hazardous waste and pluto- nium contamination. Billions of dollars will be spent and work will continue well into the twenty-first century. Martin Marietta Glenn Martin flew kites as a child and progressed to build his own airplanes and missiles as a grownup. Although the Wright brothers were the first to fly, Glenn Martin, became the first person to get a self-powered plane off the ground and fly it in 1909. His company built planes for Demolition of Rocky Flats—Workers are shown cleaning up a former drum burial site identified as a source for groundwater contamination. A tent was America in World War II. constructed to prevent contaminated soil from being blown.Workers wore As the Cold War progressed, protective clothing to protect from radioactive materials and chemicals. America’s deterrent to a Soviet attack evolved to intercontinental estimated ten thousand anti- In the 1970s and 80s Colorado ballistic missiles (ICBM’s). nuclear demonstrators held hands politicians were gradually influ- Although Strategic Air Command in a circle around Rocky Flats. enced by the protesters’ viewpoint. (SAC) bombers were constantly on Musicians played “Taps” and they U.S. Senator Timothy Worth, Gov- alert to drop nuclear bombs on all sang We Shall Overcome. ernor Richard Lamm, and later, the Soviet Union if ordered to do Federal police and Jefferson Coun- Governor Roy Romer worried so, America’s production of ty law-enforcement officers faced about the nearness of the plant to ICBM’s increased to exceed the protesters many times on Highway Colorado’s largest metropolitan Soviet Union’s missile production. 93 with no major incidents. population. Health concerns A so-called “missile gap,” became a

-10- All Martin Marietta photos courtesy of Lockheed Martin Astronautics Glenn Martin flew kites as a child and progressed to build his brothers were the first to fly, Glenn Martin, in 1909, became the first own airplanes and missiles as a grownup. Although the Wright person to get a plane off the ground by its own power and fly it .

national concern and a political on February 6, 1956. The plant and the first rendezvous and dock- football. became operational in 1957 and ing of two spacecraft. During a Atlas missiles were vulnerable to by 1959 was test flying the Titan 1 period of seventeen years, 110 attack by submarine during the ICBM. By October 10, 1961, when satellites rode Titan III to Cold War. In 1955, the US Air the Glenn L. Martin Company their orbital Force awarded a contract to the merged with American-Marietta to destinations. Glenn L. Martin Company, based become Martin Marietta, Titan I An in Baltimore, Maryland to build was near operational status. intricate an inland plant for production of Titan I stood ready to strike web of ICBM missiles that could hit tar- targets in the USSR five-thousand gets 5000 miles away. miles away from missile silos in An extensive plant site search the heartland of America. Subse- came down to a choice between quent improvements to the Denver and Salt Lake City. Denver Titan made it capable of won, and, as usual, it was decided faster launching and to put it “out in the country.” led to other assign- This time, geological reasons ments for the missile. played an important part in the Titan II launched location, as well as security and twelve Gemini space safety reasons. An ideal site was missions, where a canyon cut into the carrying foothills twenty miles southwest of America’s Denver. Jefferson County commis- astronauts sioners changed the zoning of pur- aloft. These chased land from agricultural to missions industrial. Martin also leased some included land from the city of Englewood. the first Martin Marietta’s Denver plant Glenn Martin died in December American built the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) used by Astronaut Bruce 1955 before ground was broken spacewalk McCandless in this historic first untethered space walk in Feb. 1984. Congress was undecided. U.S. defense and space explo- ration were priorities when Martin Marietta purchased General Dynamics Space Systems in 1993 for $208.5 million. In addition to Titan IV and the Peacekeeper missile, the purchase also brought the series of Atlas missiles under Martin Marietta’s banner. Martin Marietta merged with Lockheed Corporation March 15, 1995 to become “Lockheed Martin,” the world’s largest defense and aerospace corporation, worth an estimated $23 billion. The merger employed 170,000 people nationwide. Missiles and space exploration remain the main focus as Lock- heed Martin heads into the twen- ty-first century. One of many inter- esting projects is an unmanned spacecraft chasing a comet and returning material snipped from the comet back to earth. Conclusion Jefferson County, from its immigrant roots of opportunity and its place on the land, has extended itself into space and beyond. The imaginary lines are still there and people still need employment to sustain themselves on the land. The land will always be there, regardless of what hap- A Titan/Centaur built by Martin Marietta is prepared for acoustic test- pens to the people. ing before being transported to Cape Canaveral, Florida, where it will be placed atop a Tital IV. Jefferson County, in its short time, has had a remarkable history. private contractors rolled back the Manned Maneuvering Unit, Within about a twenty-mile radius boundaries of the universe, and enabling the untethered flight of a of a not-so-perfectly-shaped dia- Martin Marietta was a key pro- person in space outside a space- mond, Jefferson County has ducer. Much of the work was done craft. Martin Marietta completed a embodied much of the history of in Jefferson County: Skylab, Amer- billion dollars in contracts on the America. It has also reflected Amer- ica’s first orbital space station; space shuttle and was also active in ica’s values, dangers, and triumphs. Viking I and II, sending back pic- the Strategic Defense Initiative The first point of the diamond tures from Mars; Magellan, orbit- (SDI), known as “Star Wars,” a was created by an immigrant beer ing and mapping Venus; and the project about which the U.S. maker, who came west to realize

-12- the American dream of entrepre- was on the line in World War II, neurship, owning, producing and Remington Arms supplied the achieving what it was he wanted bullets to keep that freedom. to achieve. Adolph Coors and When that threat no longer exist- his descendents have fulfilled ed, government agencies moved that dream. into vacated buildings, and in the At the second point of the form of the Denver Federal diamond, about eight miles east Center, served the peacetime of Coors Brewery, the government needs of the people. is working with people to benefit When a threat of a new and ter- people. When America’s freedom rifying nature arose, the northern point of the diamond was added in the form of Rocky Flats. Although John Marvin Dellinger was born controversy ultimately engulfed on January 1, 1937, near the gold- and closed the plant, Rocky Flats mining town of Lead, South Dakota where his father was a hard-rock deserves much of the credit for miner. In 1943, John’s mother keeping the Russian bear at bay brought John and two of his older during the Cold War. brothers to Jefferson County, Col- orado where she found work at the The southern point of the Remington Arms Plant. John started diamond began in the Cold War working at Benson’s Greenhouse at and soon propelled America into age seven and worked there for five years.After that he worked for the universe. Lockheed Martin is Miller’s Super Market. the future, propelling us beyond John joined the Colorado Air earth’s boundaries, opening vistas National Guard and upon graduation from high school enlisted in the that we hardly dreamed possible. Marine Corps. Assigned to Marine Beer, bullets, bombs, and Corps Test Unit # 1, John became a beyond—Jefferson County’s rich participant in atomic testing in the history—America’s past, present Nevada desert.With three meritori- ous promotions, John became a and future. sergeant at age nineteen. John earned a B.A. in Social Sci- SOURCES ence in 1960 from Colorado State Newspaper clippings and pamphlets: College and an M.A. in Political Western History Section, Denver Public Science from the University of Library. Colorado. Books: He taught in the Denver Public Coors: A Rocky Mountain Legacy, Russ Banham, Greenwich Publishing Inc., 1998. Schools and in 1988 received a Dis- Denver Mining Camp to Metropolis, Stephen tinguished Teacher Award from the Leonard and Thomas Noel, University Press Denver Public Schools. He retired in of Colorado, 1990. 1992 but has continued to substitute The Queen City A History of Denver, Pruett teach in the Denver and Jefferson Publishing Co.., Boulder Colorado, 1977 County Schools. John has published (updated and reprinted 1986) two novels and World Almanac 1999 (number of counties numerous arti- called “Jefferson”). cles in national Coors Brewery: magazines. Pamphlets and brochures supplied by Patt Dunn, Consumer Information Repre- John sentative, Coors Brewery. Dellinger is Denver Federal Center: the winner of Historical pamphlet, U.S. General Services the first prize Administration, Denver Federal Center. of the 1999 Lockheed Martin: Writers Videos, pamphlets, brochures, Lockheed The first Titan IV/Centaur, built by Contest. Martin. Martin Marietta, is launched from Rocky Flats: Cape Canaveral, Florida in February, Newspaper clippings and pamphlets, Western 1994 carrying the US Air Force’s History Section, Denver Public Library. Milstar satellite. -13- ROCKY FLATS: A MILITA INDUSTRIAL PANDORA’

by Guy Iseley strove to protect itself from its son County. By permitting the great Cold War enemy, the Soviet construction of Rocky Flats in It took a great enemy to inspire a Union. As tensions between the their state, Coloradans were great American creation that had a two super powers grew, Eisen- unknowingly facilitating the open- monumental impact on the people hower’s warning to the American ing of a Pandora’s box. Although of Jefferson County, Colorado: people of the dangers of this new Rocky Flats appeared before many the military-industrial complex. creation became more and more of the other industries were creat- President Eisenhower was the first relevant. Industries leapt up across ed nationally, it has many similari- to give a name to an increasingly the country to meet the demand ties to the military-industrial com- complex web between private for more and better defense plex in general. Like many other industry and the United States systems. One of these industries defense industries, Rocky Flats defense department, as America was the Rocky Flats Plant in Jeffer- was founded out of fear, issues of

-14- corruption, and an uncertain everything from household items future, as the enemy it was meant to automobiles into factories to to fight dissolved. produce guns, tanks, and other war RY- The history of the military- time necessities. With the Manhat- industrial complex, the relation- tan Project, the connection ship between arms manufacturers between industry and the military and the government, stretches was further entwined. General S BOX back much farther than the twenti- Leslie Groves thought that con- eth century. However, it was dur- tracting with a selective group of ing the Second World War that large corporations and universities the complex alliance among indus- would be the most effective way try, academia, and the government of getting the atomic bomb built. began to assume the form it has Along with the rapid growth of held for the greater part of this the military-industrial complex century. The success of the United came criticism of the giant part- States war effort was largely made nership between the military and possible by the development of private industry. an industry that mobilized by One element of the military- converting factories that produced industrial complex often pointed

All Rocky Flats photos courtesy of Rocky Flats Left—View of the Rocky Flats plant looking east.The building Above—Workers are repackaging the contents of drums furthest to the right (with only the roof showing) is six stories— excavated from the burial trench. Soils pulled from the all underground.This building is where much of the uranium surrounding area were packaged and treated to remove work was performed. contaminants.

-15- to as an example of corruption is order to gain contracts with the can cancel an officer’s pension if the selection of companies which government. Admiral Fechteler he takes a job with a firm that is managed the defense operations. validated this suspicion to a house bidding for contracts. He also Senator William Proxmire (1970) subcommittee that he received shows that AT&T, which was sus- initiated a study into the corrup- $30,000 a year from General Elec- pected of using the retiree officers tion of the military-industrial tric solely to introduce company to win the contract for the anti- complex. He began with the officials to key defense officials ballistic missile system, only aggressive statement, “Military and then leave them to talk employed nine retirees, ranking spending in the United States is contracts. This is seemingly strong fortieth in its recruitment of mili- out of control.” This seems evidence that the process of select- tary officers. surprisingly radical considering ing corporations for defense Baumgartner argues that “Ameri- that Proxmire himself believed that projects was based upon the cans have every reason to feel deep large defense expenditures were personal preferences of Pentagon pride in their country’s defense necessary, but was suspicious of officials and not the merit of the establishment and defense indus- the way defense funds were corporation seeking the job. try,” and how Senator Proxmire’s handled once they left Washing- However, John Baumgartner investigation led to false conclu- ton. He validates his claim with (1970) attempts to abolish suspi- sions. However, while he some- examples from his inquiry. One cions of corruption of Pentagon times built his argument, he often is the partiality with which the officials. He argues that the top diminished his credibility. Some- Department of Defense assigned one hundred producers receive times Baumgartner seems to be its contracts. Of the 38.8 billion the lion’s share of the contracts is attacking the word choice of dollars the Pentagon allocated to not corruption, but evidence of critics of the military-industrial defense contractors, the top 100 prudent management. He reasons complex; he has no meaningful corporations received a dispropor- that taxpayers’ money should only evidence to suggest that their tionate $25.2 billion or 68.2 be given to those companies who condemnations are erroneous. For percent of the total. The five have proven they can complete example, he criticizes a politician biggest patrons received $11 billion the jobs efficiently. Companies for being slightly equivocal, but or over 20 percent of the funds. below the top 100 run a higher does not address the issue. Still, Although this does not necessarily risk. Next, he denies claims that much of his criticism is valid, and mean corruption, it suggests that contracts are awarded based on the his several books on business the Pentagon favored a selective whims of Pentagon officials, and administration, and his knowledge few contractors over the multiple suggests continuous stiff competi- of the internal workings of large others who readily would have tion for the contracts. Baumgart- companies do help to explain accepted a government contract. ner gives a procedure for carrying some of the seemingly fraudulent Critics worried that corporations out a typical proposal evaluation, practices of the military-industrial were chosen not because they were a process he claims to take complex. Baumgartner’s book most qualified for the job, but hundreds of man days to com- (1970) confirms that the history because officials in the Depart- plete. He also gives examples of of the military-industrial complex ment of Defense who selected the selections that were supposedly is not a precise story of absolute corporations had personal biases. corrupt but in fact involved large corruption or absolute purity. Sidney Lens (1970) referred to scale competition, such as the Even though Rocky Flats fits another reason for the corrupt choice between Lockheed, Boeing, into the general idea of govern- selection of corporations: the and Douglas about which would ment-owned, contractor-operated stunning statistic that 2072 retired receive the contract for the C-5A industries customary of the mili- military officers of colonel rank plane program. He then dismisses tary-industrial complex, the history or above held jobs at the 100 top the idea that retired officers were of the selection of the corporation defense contractors, which suggests used to gain influence in the to run Rocky Flats is less question- that the influence of retired mili- selection process by pointing out able than most defense contracts tary officials was being bought in that the Department of Defense created after the 1950s. Part of the

-16- This picture shows a worker with a trigger for nuclear materials such as uranium and beryllium, then shipped weapons.These buttons were machined and milled elsewhere to be equipped with explosives and finally into hemispherical items and coated with other placed into missiles. reason for little room to doubt the the secrecy about further decisions to keep the A.E.C.’s (Atomic Ener- corrupt selection of Dow Chemi- at the plant: “It was rather funny, gy Commission) secrets from the cal Corporation to manage the the extremes to which we went to Americans.” Rapoport also had facility, is the secrecy with which keep our actions secret. But that written on campus dissent, and the decision was made. Even was considered necessary at the similarly addressed many of the Lee Doan, chairman of Dow time” (Whitehead 1968). issues that led to a protest move- Chemical, was surprised when After the secrecy was broken ment surrounding Rocky Flats. asked if his company would help and the plant operator was Although he portrayed the most in a super-secret project involving announced, issues of corruption extreme view of hazardous corrup- nuclear weapons. The Atomic began to surface. To begin with, tion at the facility, his citation of Energy Commission selected Dow some considered having the numerous environmental studies of largely because of the strong inter- government pay for a private cor- the plant make the credibility of est of company officials in peace- poration’s facility to be a shady his argument undeniable. Concern time uses of atomic energy. After practice. Beyond this, concerns about the dangers of a nuclear Dow Chemical was selected for the grew that Dow Chemical may not facility in Jefferson County, close project, a high level of secrecy was have been using environmentally to a large metropolitan area, had maintained. F.H. Langell, the Dow sound practices in the facility. existed since it was constructed. Official in charge of the Rocky Roger Rapoport (1971) argued that In an attempt to dismiss such Flats division, later remarked on “the real reason for this security is concerns, the Atomic Energy

-17- Commission has pointed to the Atomic Energy Commission tic of the military-industrial com- fourth best all-time record for safe- regulations specifically stated plex, then there is strong evidence ty—24,295,524 man hours without that waste was to be placed in that Rocky Flats fell into the gen- a disabling injury at Rocky Flats. special dumps in Idaho. After eral pattern of corruption as well. However, the history of Rocky removing these barrels, the report Rocky Flats is a reflection of Flats contains more than 200 fires, of R.M. Vogel of the Health the alleged corruption in another including a fire on May 11, 1969 Physics Association in which the cost in damages sur- found that “ten passed the price of construction percent of the of the facility, making it the most drums had holes... expensive industrial accident of its apparently caused time (Rapoport 1970). by rust and corro- If the fires at Rocky Flats were sion... Many of the not enough to warrant an investi- liquid drums devel- gation into the conduct of Dow oped leaks during Chemical, then the evidence handling or after that the corporation was being exposure to the insincere about radioactive conta- air.” (Rapoport mination and using illegitimate 1970) Whereupon methods to dispose of their waste the Lamm-Wirth certainly was. In August of 1969, task force of 1974 after Dow and the Atomic Energy was appointed to Commission refused to make plu- investigate misman- tonium soil tests to explore such agement and safety suspicions of insincerity, Dr. hazards at Rocky Edward Martell, a nuclear chemist Flats, and it con- at the National Center for Atmos- cluded: pheric Research at Boulder, “It seems certain conducted his own tests. When that if the criteria he found that plutonium contami- evaluated for the nation in the area surrounding the original siting of plant was 200 times greater than the Rocky Flats the plutonium deposits from fall- Plant were applied out of atomic bomb testing and for siting today, the 100 times greater than the plant Rocky Flats Plant spokesman said was being emitted, would not be locat- a great outpouring of concern ed near a densely about the safety of Rocky Flats populated area... Demolition of Rocky Flats—The goal is to have all buildings began (Rapoport 1970). This inves- The certainty that gone by 2010.This building in the picture was safe to demolish tigation also led to suspicion that such a plant would plutonium waste had been released not today be located at Rocky area of most of the military-indus- into the area even before the fire Flats, as well as our feeling that trial complex during the Cold of 1969. This suspicion was con- accidents will continue to occur War: where to locate the plant. firmed when James Kelly, president even under the best circumstances, Some criteria were considered criti- of the Rocky Flats labor union, dictate our belief that such a plant cal because the plant would con- told atomic energy officials that in should not be located at Rocky tribute to the production of 1950 1,405 drums of contaminated Flats.”(1975) nuclear bombs. First, a dry year- waste had been placed in the area If mismanagement and corrup- long climate was needed for evapo- surrounding the plant even though tion can be considered characteris- rative cooling methods at the

-18- plant. Next, to reduce transporta- Arkansas, Colorado, and the would always be one step ahead tion costs and hazards, the plant top of Texas. Other than that, of the Soviets’ attack force. That needed to be in relative proximity Project Apple was mostly a Colorado would aid the struggle to St. Louis, Los Alamos, and political decision. against that ever present commu- Chicago, three key cities in the The reason for the construction nist enemy made many Coloradans bomb production process. Finally, of Rocky Flats also mimics a trend proud. Explaining his support for for most military- the plant, Jim Henderson, an 83- industrial com- year-old rancher who had worked plexes. Rocky near where Rocky Flats was to be Flats was largely a built, said, “Well, sir, I’m tickled, product of the this is wonderful. Mr. Roosevelt sense of urgency used to talk about the ‘big stick’ to produce a and now we’re agettin’ a big stick hydrogen bomb right up on the flats. I’m all for it, after the Soviet there’s no use of having all those development of boys dying with rifles in their the atomic bomb. hands when we got this bomb.” The relatively slow Marie Ward, a Denver clerk, also production of had no doubt that the aid by the only 2 bombs per plant to the defense industry far month in 1947 outweighed the possible dangers and a total of 100 the plant might have for people bombs in the arse- living in Denver, “I think it’s won- nal by 1949 was derful. Anything that can be done accelerated in for the defense effort should be light of the newly done. These people who get fright- emerging Soviet ened over such things give me a threat. By 1950, pain in the neck” (Kennedy 1991). the Atomic pro- At the time, Coloradans per- gram was employ- ceived few consequences from ing 5% of the bringing Rocky Flats to their state, national labor and none included the potential force and consum- environmental hazard that would ing 10% of the later become such a hot issue. The total national most common fear was that Rocky power production. Flats would make the Denver/ After the develop- Boulder/Jefferson County region a ment of hydrogen target of Soviet attack were there without fear of contamination to workers, the environment or the public. Water is being sprayed to suppress dust. bomb technology, to be a war. However, military the main impedi- officials assured citizens that an the plant needed a relatively large ment to the production of the attack on Colorado would be very and skilled labor supply. It was bomb was explosive detonators to hard to complete considering its resolved to locate the plant within start the fusion reaction which inland location. Newsweek Maga- a 25 mile radius of a city of attrac- powered the bomb. Here Rocky zine (1950) even touted Denver as tive environs and a population of Flats was to come on to the scene. an ideal wartime capital. Governor at least 25,000. This limited the Rocky Flats, like most United Thornton, for one, saw the threat area to a section of the United States defense industries during of becoming a target as insignifi- States that included Nebraska, the Cold War, was an attempt cant: “as to whether it makes us a Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, to assure that the United States more desirable target for attack,

-19- SOURCES I couldn’t say— I’m not a military would come out on top after a Baumgartner, John Stanley. The Lonely man. I’ll be happy to move the war, he argued, it must be better Warriors: Case for the Military-Industrial capitol to Gunnison if that proves prepared than the Soviets. Kahn Complex. Los Angeles: Nash Publishing, 1970. to be the case”(Kennedy 1991). saw the Soviets as the ‘mortal’ Clayton, James L. The Economic Impact of That defense of the country enemies of the United States that the Cold War. The Forces in American Economic Growth Series, Chandler, Alfred should come before all other con- could only be defeated if the D., ed. New York: Harcourt, Brace & cerns was the accepted philosophy United States citizens were willing World, Inc., 1970. Colorado Governor’s Office. Final Report: of the United States government to allocate the national resources Lamm-Wirth Task Force on Rocky Flats. during the Cold War. The philoso- necessary to defend ourselves 1975. Ford, Daniel. The Cult of the Atom: The phy of mutually assured destruc- (James L. Clayton 1970). Kahn’s Secret Papers of the Atomic Energy tion was a delicate balance that views on the need for military Commission. New York: Simon and dictated that both the United preparedness are frightening, yet Schuster, 1982. Hiskes, Anne L, and Richard P. Hiskes. States and the Soviet Union would they make a strong counterpoint Science Technology and Policy Decisions. have to produce defense measures to those who believe that the Boulder: Westview Press, 1986. Page 76. Kennedy, John J., Jr. “Annihilation Beckons”: at a maximum rate for neither of military-industrial complex should The Origins of the Rocky Flats Nuclear the superpowers to get far enough have been, and should still be Weapons Plant. Dissertation University of Colorado at Denver, 1991. ahead to risk an attack. As new subject to strict limits. Lens, Sydney. The Military Industrial Com- weapons and new counter mea- The development of Rocky Flats plex. Philadelphia: The Pilgrim Press, 1970. sures were rapidly developed, may illustrate that, although the Metzger, H. Peter. The Atomic Establishment. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1972. new production plants sprung up ‘mortal’ enemy may no longer be a Newsweek. December 11, 1959. across the nation. The labor force threat, the concept of the military- Proxmire, William. Report from Wasteland. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1970. increasingly became involved in industrial complex may not easily Rapoport, Roger. The Great American Bomb the military-industrial complex vanish from our lives. Machine. New York: E.P. Dutton, Inc., 1971. seen as a necessary tool to fight Presently, CH 2 M Hill is United States. Department of Energy. A the ever present Soviet threat. phasing out operations at Rocky Closer Look at Rocky Flats. DOE-RFO Public affairs, No. 3039666633, 1982. Retired Admiral J. M. Lyle Flats. The lid of Pandora’s box Whitehead, Don. The Dow Story: The History defended this need: is being closed. of the Dow Chemical Company. New “If we didn’t have a military- York: 1968. industrial complex we would have to invent one, for design and production and maintenance of today’s complicated weapons Guy Isely is 15 years old and a senior at Fairview High School in Boulder. Guy takes a full course load of Advanced Placement and International necessarily entails the closest Baccalaureate classes (including two foreign languages). His personal cooperation and communication interests draw him to the sciences, especially physics; but Guy is equally between the military that require at home in the humanities. Several years ago, he won first place in the Colorado State History day competition and a trip to Washington, D.C. and the industry that produces to compete nationally. His paper was about conscientious objectors in them” (Lens 1970). World War II and the Viet Nam War. In 1998, Guy attended a Brown Lyle is not alone in defending University summer program based on the theme of “Science, Perception, the inevitability of a military-indus- and Reality.” in the spring of 1999, Guy’s Science Bowl team won first place in Rocky Mountain division and another trip to Washington, DC, trial complex. Herman Kahn, who to compete in the National Science Bowl. His Knowledge Bowl team worked closely with the RAND competed at the state that spring also. In addition to his rigorous acade- Association, argued that the mili- mic load and his many extra curricular activities, Guy coordinates a tutoring tary-industrial complex is essential program for middle school children and to “win” the Cold War. He refuted has helped his father, a Jefferson County finite deterrence and suggested that businessman, develop photography for an Internet-based retail operation. war with the Soviets would not For this article, Guy Isely received the mean complete destruction. But Youth Award prize of the Writers Award to ensure that the United States Contest of Jefferson County Historical Commission.

-20- The lodge at Chief Hosa Genesee Park photos by Milly Roeder Denver’s Genesee Park by David E. Peri Indians called this area “Genesee”, the mountains. which translates to “Shining The paths continued to be Denver’s Genesee Mountain Park Mountains” and meant for them developed when commercial stage- has a rich vibrant history mostly the majestic and strategic views of coach operators constructed stops unknown today by its Jefferson the plains from Genesee Peak and along the road as places to rest, County neighbors. The few occu- the high, bright valleys that spread change horses and collect other pants in the daily stream of out from here in all directions. passengers looking for western pas- 66,000 cars and trucks roaring by This “Genesee” was then a gath- sage. In Genesee Park Colorado’s on I-70 may never have heard of ering place for groups headed into oldest stagecoach stop, the Patrick this “gateway” to the west as more or out of the Rocky Mountains. House, stands only a few hundred than a highway exit. Few seem to From here, ancient paths took feet from today’s bustling traffic stop and visit Genesee Park, travelers west past the forbidding on I-70. This old building is now although this park was once Den- white peaks of the Continental home to the caretaker and his ver’s most popular and was regard- Divide or east and across the family who oversee the buffalo ed as one of the best in North plains. Trappers, adventurers, and elk herds. America. The history of the park scouts and settlers were rewarded As Denver grew at the turn of shows much about how Denver with views to pick their paths. By the century, so did the communi- and Jefferson County have grown the late 1850s, this area was well ties to the west. Travelers noticed and changed over the century. known as thousands flowed the view on the way to other Over 150 years ago, Arapaho through here searching for gold in places, and Genesee Peak became

-21- Switzerland, where the mountains are inseparable from peoples’ lives. He asked business leaders to help build an integrated Denver park system extending from the city into the mountains. “It is impor- In 1911, the tant to create mountain play- Daughters of the American grounds for the citizens of Denver, Revolution as well as popular tourist attrac- erected a tions,” he said. permanent The next year, in 1910, a task flagpole on force was created by the Denver the summit of Genesee Chamber of Commerce to help Mountain. attain this goal. Newspaper articles They still chronicled the progress of building commemorate this park system and indicated Flag Day by much public support, and a Den- raising the flag there each ver City Council task force took year on up the project in May of 1911. July 14. About that time the Daughters of the American Revolution erected a permanent flagpole on the summit of Genesee Mountain—and they commemorate Flag Day by raising the flag there on July 14 each year. For the next year, the idea of a mountain park system was dis- cussed in local papers and brought before the City Council. Council- men, businessmen and the a landmark and a place where the into the mountains. This growing Mayor’s office formed several full range of Continental Divide popularity was fed by improved coalitions supporting the project. peaks and the unobstructed views roads and vehicles. Because of its Joined by unanimous support of of Denver and the plains could be closeness to Denver and a major all Denver’s newspapers, the mea- enjoyed. Over time, visitors and westbound thoroughfare, interest sure was voted in by Denver citi- residents started making the short in Genesee was particularly high. It zens on May 12, 1912, when a .5 trip of only 20 miles from the city. inspired Denver Mayor Speer to a mill levy tax was created to pur- Genesee Peak offered views of the vision of a unique lifestyle for resi- chase land to build a mountain Colorado Plains to the east, Pikes dents and the foundation of a rep- park system. Peak to the south, the Continental utation for the Queen City of the Genesee was Denver’s first pur- Divide to the west, and Longs Plains by making it permanently chase of parkland in the foothills. Peak to the north. accessible to Denver citizens. The first parcel was assembled dur- During the early 20th century, To celebrate its 25th anniver- ing the winter of 1912 and con- recreation became an end in itself, sary, the Denver Chamber of cluded in the spring of 1913. Some particularly for city residents. Day Commerce invited Mayor Speer as initial land was donated and the trips and short extended stays were the keynote speaker. At the dinner rest purchased for as little as $5 an taken to experience the views of on May 24, 1909, he urged creat- acre. The park was dedicated in the nearby mountains. By 1909, ing Denver Mountain Parks. Speer May of 1913. Of 47 Denver Moun- many urbanites made regular trips compared Denver to St. Moritz in tain Parks, Genesee is the largest

-22- with about 2,400 acres. tion. Later, buffalo were brought recalled in letters to his son, Leif During the first summer, Gene- from Yellowstone National Park in Howelsen, how Genesee Park influ- see hosted Fourth of July fire- 1918. They were seen as natural enced him in the formation of all works, concerts, baseball games tourist attractions, as a comple- other Denver Mountain Parks. and more. Many of these events ment to Buffalo Bill’s grave nearby Cranmer also told of working in were repeated yearly for decades. A at Lookout Mountain, and as a his Denver office in December viewing platform was built on link to the early history of Denver. 1913 when the big snowstorm shut Genesee Peak where marriages were As winter came around, the down the city. He looked out his performed, political speeches Genesee Park area was also home window and saw the former world made, and chamber music played for Denver winter recreation. Win- champion, Carl Howelsen as he with the glorious views of moun- ter hiking, sledding and toboggan- “glided up and down streets with tains and plains all around. ing were all popular, as was skiing. the city looking on.” George ran Chief Hosa Lodge was con- Mostly forgotten today, trails that out of his office and asked to be structed in 1918. Genesee Park were cleared are still visible on a taught. He was brought up to this took advantage of the earlier horse small ridge behind Genesee’s stage- little hill and taught to ski as one and wagon paths and upgraded coach stop near the Denver Rocky of the first by the Norwegian him- them to designated roads for cars Mountain Ski Club, where paid self. This was the beginning of a and interstate travel. professional instructors taught life-long friendship between the Genesee Park also built and “Norwegian snow shoeing”, or two men, and a shared love of advertised “America’s first motor “snow-sliding”, or as it is better Colorado winter sports. car camping area.” This trend-set- known today — skiing. Popular From this original lesson, Mr. ting facility offered dirt and con- contests timed sleds against skis. Cranmer enthusiastically went on crete pads to park a “motor car- One of the first to enjoy to form the Genesee Winter Sports riage” with simple tent-cabins Genesee Park was George Cranmer, Club. His letters tell of building a immediately adjacent with water, later Denver’s first manager of stone club house in 1918, then four wooden walls and a canvas Improvements and Parks and purchasing 30 acres of land in roof. Later upgrades included elec- creator of Red Rocks Theater 1919 and adding another 300 acres tric lights. Weary travelers or week- and Winter Park Ski Area. of leased ground to the east of the end campers could stay the night When Mr. Cranmer heard of stagecoach stop. Here his club for 25 cents. An inclusive dinner Carl Howelsen’s death in 1955, he built the Genesee Ski Mountain, and breakfast package could be added for only 75 cents. While One of Colorado’s oldest stage stops, the Patrick House, stands only a few hundred feet only California appears to have from I-70. It is now the home of the caretaker who oversees the buffalo and elk herds. offered something comparable ear- lier, this is one of the world’s first car campgrounds, long foreshadow- ing motels and the recreation vehi- cle or RV campgrounds that are strung along every highway in the nation today. From the beginning, part of Genesee Mountain Park was envi- sioned for and set aside as a pre- serve for elk and buffalo. Animals from the area were collected and kept at City Park starting in 1888. The herd was moved to a pasture at Genesee Mountain Park during the first summer of park opera-

-23- Built in 1927 and designed by Denver’s Genesee Park “as one of the great architect J.J.B. Bene- parks of North America.” In 1927, dict, the large a 2,500 square foot stone picnic Genesee pic- building was built to attract more nic shelter visitors to Genesee Park, designed on the road by Denver’s esteemed architect, to Genesee Peak is Jules Jacques Benoit Benedict. popular with Starting in 1930, newspaper files families and on Genesee Park and other Denver other groups Mountain Parks appear to slowly in the region. drop from view and are mentioned less frequently. Memories began to be outnumbered by current events. Today, like a popular song from a bygone era, few know just how Colorado’s first international ski youth hostel. The latest use for the vital it once was. jump competition site, where lodge has been a wedding recep- The Genesee Ski Mountain much skiing history was written. tion and party facility. The original closed in the early 1950’s. Condo- Denver Police records indicate motor camping area has remained miniums have been built on the that the biggest Genesee skiing in business continually for over 80 lower flanks of the hill around a competitions drew between 40,000 years, maturing into 100 RV sites lonely stone chimney, the remains and 50,000 spectators to major on both sides of I-70 today. of the historic ski area lodge. Not jumping events, the best attended Part of the grand vision for a single word or marker identifies ski competitions ever held in parks and parkways in Denver was the area as an important part of Colorado. to have Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. the beginning of Colorado’s skiing Genesee continued to offer design and oversee their construc- industry. The history is forgotten. many activities and distractions. tion. Frederick was the son of But not the park. Traveling professional baseball Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., the The “Shining Mountain” is wait- teams gave exhibitions at the base- renowned landscape architect, who ing to be embraced with laughter ball fields of Genesee Peak. Picnic had designed New York’s Central and memories once again, with tables, horseshoes and lawn bowl- Park and other famous eastern city renewed interest from Denver and ing were offered in the park. By parks. Olmsted, Jr. envisioned Jefferson County’s residents. 1925, a survey of all Denver Mountain Parks showed Genesee David Peri is a third generation Colorado resident. After studying Journalism Park gathered over 410,000 visits, and Speech at Metropolitan State College, he graduated Magna cum Laude more than half of 800,000 visits from Denver University with a double major in Mass Communications and recorded by all Denver Mountain Philosophy.While in college he worked as a photographer and journalist for several news organizations including the Associated Press, which included Parks that year. stints for them in Kenya and East Africa after graduation. Times changed, and so did the After serving as a filmmaker and journalist for the Fish and Game Depart- park’s uses, reflected by the chang- ment of the state of Alaska, he then worked on the Space Shuttle program ing purposes Chief Hosa Lodge for Martin Marietta. Later he was the marketing vice president for the Breck- enridge Ski Area, before setting up Periscope Marketing, a consulting company supported over the decades. Start- doing strategic planning for a wide variety of businesses. Most recently, he ing as a mountain clubhouse, the became the successful concession bidder with the lodge successively housed a popu- City of Denver to operate the Chief Hosa Lodge and Campground, starting in January of 2000. Chief Hosa lar restaurant, a World War I muse- is located within Denver’s 2,400-acre Genesee Moun- um (highlighting Colorado’s par- tain Park. Mr. Peri currently lives with his nine-year- ticipation in “The Great War”), a old son in Boulder, Colorado. David E. Peri received the second prize of the gambling hall and bordello, then a Writers Award Contest of Jefferson County Histori- cal Commission in 1999. -24- LLAA KK EEWWOO OO DD No Longer “Just Passing Through”

West Alameda at S. Knox Court and Morrison Road is shown being paved for the first time in 1924.At left is Pleasantview Store. Lakewood photos courtesy of Lakewood’s Heritage Center by Elizabeth J. Nosek, Curator brought the name “Lakewood” to smallest landowners were likely to Lakewood’s Heritage Center Jefferson County in 1889, when keep chickens and perhaps a cow. they developed a subdivison Because of their proximity to Den- It seems ironic that the City of reaching from West Colfax Avenue ver, many Lakewood farmers Lakewood, now the fourth largest to West 10th Avenue and from supplied food stuffs to the city city in Colorado, originally began Harlan Street through present dwellers there as “truck farmers.” as a place people “passed through” day Teller Street. By 1921, farmers were growing cab- on their way to and from the As the century ended, an bage, tomatoes, cucumbers, snap mountains. increasing number of families were beans, celery, canning peas, onions People have lived in or “passed making their homes in the area and lettuce for people in the Den- through” the area we know as between Golden and Denver. Like ver metro area. They also supplied Lakewood for hundreds of years. many Americans, these families dairy products, poultry and fruit. Cheyenne, Ute, Arapaho all wanted to live the “country life” While vegetables were obviously an followed buffalo trails on their that could be found in the sub- important source of income for way to or from the mountains. Fur urbs. Neighborhoods developed Lakewood farmers, the three main traders came to trade with Native that included Applewood, products which eventually emerged Americans for pelts and were Mountair, Alameda, Daniels, for the area were milk and other followed by miners in 1859, Lakewood and the Glens. dairy items, turkey and orchard searching for gold and silver. These new residents made their crops such as apples and cherries. Three pioneers from the Col- living in a number of ways. While As in most communities, the orado gold rush era were Charles there were a variety of businesses first businesses to supply area Welch, William Loveland and in Lakewood, farming was by far farmers with their basic needs Miranda Loveland. They first the most prevalent. Even the tended to be mercantile stores -25- such as the Lakewood Store of purchased the business in the late Assembly passed a law that would circa 1900; Cohen’s Store, 1920; 1930s and added the famous allow the City of Denver to annex and Lakewood Feed and Supply, “Benny Burger” to the menu. east Jefferson County without a about 1920. More specialized When prohibition was repealed, public vote. While Governor stores followed later, such as liquor was also added to the menu. McNichols chose not to act at Alexander Bruce’s Sinclair gas As the neighborhoods west of that time, the issue resurfaced in station, 1928; and Philnor Denver grew, area residents began 1969. Area residents responded by Pharmacy, 1949. to see a need for an independent forming the Citizen’s Committee Other businesses also played an government. Fears of annexation for Incorporation. The committee important role in Lakewood’s by the City of Denver spurred used concerns regarding police pro- development. tection, The Jewish schools, water, Consumptive street lighting, Relief Society sanitation, was founded drainage and by Dr. fire protection Charles Spi- to support vak in 1904 their position. for the treat- Finally, on ment of June 24, 1969, tuberculosis the residents of patients. Alameda, Today, it is Green Moun- the American tain, Apple- Medical Cen- wood and ter and con- Lakewood tinues to neighborhoods work in overwhelmingly health care approved incor- and research. poration, form- The Federal ing the city Center which would began as a soon be known munitions as Lakewood. manufactur- Shortly after ing and testing As in most communities, the first businesses to supply area farmers with their basic incorporation, facility operat- needs tended to be mercantile stores such as the Lakewood Store of circa 1900; voters decided ed by the Cohen’s Store, 1920 (shown above); and Lakewood Feed and Supply, about 1920. More whether to specialized stores followed later, such as Philnor Pharmacy, 1949; and Alexander Bruce’s Remington Sinclair gas station, 1928. keep the new Arms Compa- name of Jeffer- ny in 1941. At the end of World many in eastern Jefferson County son City or revert to the tradition- War II, the federal government to explore the idea of incorpora- al name of Lakewood. A write-in converted the plant to offices, and tion as early as 1947. The issue was vote was necessary. “Lakewood” by 1950 it had become the Denver again proposed in 1958 by the East received 9724 votes, while “Jeffer- Federal Center. Lane’s Tavern was a Jefferson Committee for Incorpora- son City” received only 1757. community gathering spot when it tion (EJCI). This group proposed Another 509 votes were cast for first appeared on West Colfax the name Ridgewood for the names other than Lakewood and Avenue in the 1920s as an eating new city. Jefferson City. These included the establishment. Benny Dolcourt In 1961, the Colorado General more serious suggestions: Cactus,

-26- Armstrongpollo, Crestwood, neighborhoods. The Lakewood- and Recreation Department. While Belmar, Alameda, Westgate, Red Mountair Department formed in area residents had enjoyed five Rocks, Ridgewood, Crestview and 1937 to protect 1,800 homes. different recreation districts, all Ala-Jeff Wood. And the humor- Bancroft Fire Protection was but Foothills Park and Recreation ous: Jackass Junction; Non Other; formed to serve 200 families in District in South Lakewood chose Ticky Ticky Ticky; Picky, Picky, 1947. Neighbors worked together to combine to form the new Picky; Agnew; Sin City; Tax to raise funds for equipment and department. McDonnell oversaw Haven; Podunk; Peyton Place; for constructing fire stations. They the purchase of Addenbrooke Park Mother; Dog Town; Dog Patch; held dances and turkey shoots, and 127 acres of the Belmar Estate Uptight; Tax Bug; Taxedo Junc- and they solicited support from for a park and an historic museum tion; Tranquili- (now known ty; Buggscuf- as Lakewood’s fle; Vandal’s Heritage Cen- Haven; Dis- ter) The Hay- solve; Clyde; den family Apollo; Green gave the city Acres; Luna 315 acres of Gulch; Lake- Green Moun- wood Unicorp; tain property Wasteville; in honor of Buckskin Joe William Hay- and Anything. den. The After set- department tling on Lake- also developed wood as an other commu- appropriate nity services name, the city such as recre- looked at pro- ational centers viding its citi- (Green Moun- zens with the tain, Whitlock services most and Clements residents community expect from centers), before their city. A and after “new” police school services force made its and planning. debut in 1970. Lakewood’s In keeping A new type of “cowboy,” Gary Eiber helps herd turkeys at the Eiber Poultry history is really with the idea Farm, 11555 West 17th Avenue in 1950. the history of of a nontradi- the various tional “community police” force, area businesses. By the 1990s, the neighborhoods growing up on the first police uniforms were grey two districts were working together the western outskirts of Denver. slacks and polyester blue blazers. as the Lakewood/Bancroft Incorporated in 1969, the City Residents often confused them Combined Fire Authority. In 1994, of Lakewood tells a typical story with general business men, voters approved the official forma- of westward expansion following and more traditional uniforms tion of one district—the West the history of Native Americans, were adopted. Metro Fire Protection District. gold miners, ranchers, farmers Fire protection had been In 1971, Gary McDonnell was and suburbanites. developed by the different recruited to start Lakewood’s Parks

-27- MEMORIES FROM 30 YEARS AGO The Incorporation of Wheat Ridge by Louise Turner the basement of a bank that loaned Wheat Ridge $100,000 and also was council room and court. that and little else was our budget Until 1969, Wheat Ridge and Lake- Our equipment amounted to a for most of the first full year. wood were part of unincorporated file cabinet, a telephone and a Council meetings were twice Jefferson County. Then, suddenly used typewriter. a week from 7:30 p.m. until well in 1969, both became brand new We had no recording equip- past 2 a.m. The minutes for any cities. ment, no computers, no copy week covered 12 to 15 hours of Being part of the Wheat Ridge machine, no staff and, minor meeting time. incorporation was exciting; it was detail, no money. But out of For me, the day Elise McMillen nerve wrecking, exhausting, and it the blue, The Bank of Westland was hired as a secretary and was successful. What was became Deputy City ahead of us in the early Clerk was one very months of the city was, happy day. At that by any reasonable stan- point, feeling over- dard, impossible. But we worked, I thought we did it, and so did Lake- might actually survive. wood. Gradually, staff Under State Law, we people were added and had 90 days to set up wonderful volunteers ordinances for the frame- were added, such as work of a full working City Attorney and city: zoning, building Judge Tony Zarlengo, regulations, a court City Engineer Ralph system, police powers, Johnson, and do-every- personnel scales, the thing-person Walt works. It would have Johnson. been a challenge for a Among other things, fully staffed and equipped Walt found us a used office—and we weren’t mimeograph that was, exactly that. The entire I think, discarded by workforce of the City of the Chamber of Wheat Ridge was nine wide-eyed, inexperienced Photo from the Jefferson Her- elected officials. ald,Wednesday, June 18, 1969 (Vol. 8. No. 4) shows Mrs. Mil- For several weeks, yours dred Irwin, a precinct worker truly as city clerk was in the incorporation election the only person in the effort, getting a big hug from Dana Bowling, co-chairman of “office”, a large room in the incorporation group to celebrate their winning vote. -28- Commerce. He not only found it, hinting at annexation south to tion. The one car the sheriff he made it work. It was still many Clear Creek. Even Edgewater was provided to Wheat Ridge and the months before we would have a noting the possibility of annexing surrounding areas was not enough. real copy machine. to 32nd Avenue. Wheat Ridge Other than that it was status quo We looked to the experienced could be written off in several but with the title of “city” that people in Golden, Arvada and the directions. We were concerned. could protect them from being County for advice and they were Then someone began a petition gobbled up or splintered by some- always willing to help us. to have both Wheat Ridge and one else. Local citizens wanted We were blessed that our Lakewood—at the time known specifically to keep our identity, Mayor, Ed Anderson was an attorney and understood all that needed to be done. He was also a master of detail and guided the Council through ordinance after ordinance until every deadline had been met. To top everything off, in October, we had a limb-breaking snowstorm. This was a memorable, difficult, challenging and fascinating time. And the really wonderful thing was that I don’t think there has ever been a time—and may not be again—when city government was as close to the people as during the first formative months and years of both Wheat Ridge and Lakewood. And this did indeed have a profound effect on Jeffer- son County. On the county level, perhaps “This is the first time I’ve ever been thrown out of two places at once.” From the Jefferson Sentinel,Aug. 31, 1961 the single most extraordinary happening was the success of the as the largest unincorporated our Post Office, our fire district, open space program. When it was suburban area in the United our way of life, our rural atmos- first proposed, Carol, Margot and States—to be annexed in one lump phere, our animals and our curb- John and the others in Plan Jeffco into Denver. We became nervous. less streets, and to keep the cost did not have the total support of Though this massive annexation of government as low as possible. officials throughout the county. was ultimately turned down by Financial studies were done and Today it is universally accepted Denver, the scare was sufficient to indicated that the small city of and praised. And I think we all prompt serious incorporation talks Wheat Ridge could survive and know that program will largely and meetings in both suburbs. cost less than if it combined with determine the future quality of life Comments coming out of the Lakewood. here in Jefferson County. public meetings were interesting. At this point Lakewood, which Wheat Ridge people were neither was also talking incorporation, let Where were we thirty years ago? asking for city government, nor a it be known that it might include Annexation to Teller Street had city hall, nor ordinances, codes most of Wheat Ridge in its pro- been written into the Denver plans or services. Only one change was posal, and then Lakewood became for over 20 years. Arvada was wanted: increased police protec- the problem. We were the little

-29- Wheat Ridge in Bill McBride’s van set up with a card table in the back and a side door that provided access for people to sign. Pat Richardson was to witness the other one, which remained in Ed Ander- son’s office. It was a rainy year and it poured rain all day. A car carry- ing John McElderry and someone else with a bullhorn drove up and down the streets telling people at what time the van with the petition would be on their street. They gath- ered in groups on the corners and stood with their umbrellas in the rain waiting for us. Within 24 hours after the first name was signed, the two petitions with all the necessary signatures, were taken to Golden and filed. It was with a tremendous sigh of relief that we learned that Lakewood had not yet filed. The date for our elec- tion was set. One week later, Above: Photo in the Wheat Ridge Sentinel on Aug. 21, 1969 shows victorious candidates the Lakewood from the August 19th Wheat Ridge city petition was filed, election working to take down hundreds and it did indeed of campaign posters. include every- Right: Prior to Wheat Ridge incorporation “Lakewood Area” signs stood in areas that thing north to were actually in the Wheat Ridge Fire Depart- I-70. Lakewood’s ment’s jurisdiction.Wheat Ridge Fire Chief election was set Gerald Rose looks on happily as signs were moved to city boundaries after the vote. for one week after Photo from the Jefferson Herald. ours. Both were successful and guy and again in danger of being there is no swallowed whole unless we did question that, something and did it quickly. had ours failed It became a race to file before or been later, we Lakewood did. Ed Anderson, the would now be young attorney who headed the part of Lakewood. Wheat Ridge incorporation, insist- someday you want to see a legal Incorporation is not something ed that everything be done cor- description, look at that one.) people undertake casually. It’s no rectly and carefully so that noth- When everything was finally in fun and it’s not easy. It happens ing could be challenged. He order, two petition packages were when people have a deep love and ordered a survey of the proposed prepared, each weighing about 15 commitment to their community. boundary for Wheat Ridge. This pounds. I was assigned to witness The threat of losing is often the took time and time was short. (If the one that would travel through driving force.

-30- MUSEUMS IN JEFFCO

Morrison Heritage Museum

Edna Fiore, Historian preserve a vignette of the history Morrison Heritage Museum and lifestyles of this thriving com- munity from pioneer days to the The town of Morrison is an island present time. in time, with seventy structures The Morrison Historical Dis- and sites listed in the Morrison trict Museum, as it was originally Historical District. The late Lorene known, began in the front porch Horton, an astute businesswoman rooms of Lila Horton’s Antique and dedicated historical preserva- Shop on Stone Street in 1981 and tionist, placed the entire town on later took over that entire historic the National Register of Historic home. After the Town Offices and Places as an Historical District. Police Station moved to their pre- She also produced a book of his- sent site on Highway 8, the collec- torical photographs, the Morrison tion was moved into the former Memory Album, and accumulated town office building behind the nucleus of the collections on Morrison’s Town Hall (also the display at the Morrison Heritage Morrison Theatre) on Walker Museum. Here artifacts, pictures, Square, which became the and memorabilia Morrison Heritage Museum.

Pete Morrison, the town founder’s grandson and owner of Lariat Films at Universal Movie Studios, appeared in more than two hundred films. His accomplishments are featured at the Morrison Heritage Museum. The Museum offers a glimpse of Morrison’s vital past and a leisurely visit for hundreds of visitors throughout the year. It is open from 11a.m. to 3p.m. on Saturdays and may be visited by special appoint- ment at other times. Admission is free. Call 303-697-1873 for further Upper right: Memorabilia in the Morrison Heritage Museum. Directly above:The information or visit the town website entire town of Morrison has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places with 70 historic structures and sites listed in the Morrison Historic District. at: http://town.morrison.co.us.

-31- MUSEUMS

The Morrison Natural History Museum

Sally White, Museums Coordinator, Spring Open House, about 650 dinosaurs first discovered here in Morrison Natural History Museum visitors saw the latest exhibits in the Morrison Formation include a single weekend. One 7-year-old Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus (aka This museum had its accidental reported: “This is the smallest Brontosaurus), Allosaurus, and beginnings late in 1987, when a museum I’ve been to, but it’s the Diplodocus. threatened, charming old log ranch funnest!” The Museum offers an extraordi- house was moved to its present site Morrison’s unique natural set- nary experience. In the cabin peo- on Highway 8. ting, its history as the home of the ple learn about the local dinosaur More than 7,000 people came to first major dinosaur discovery in discoveries and of some of their the Morrison Natural History the western U.S., and the outdoor latter-day relatives that inhabited Museum in 1998, a record year. In Dinosaur Ridge make it ideal for a the area. The Museum delights in April, 1999, at the 10th Annual natural history museum. Familiar a “hands-on” approach to fossils, Photos courtesy of Morrison Natural History Museum even unique specimens 150 million years old. A sign near the doorway that invites visitors to “Please Touch” contradicts cautious par- ents and teachers. Undoing years of proper museum conditioning is a matter of pride here. Early in 1993, together with the Colorado School of Mines Geolo- gy Museum and MNHM prepara- tor Bob O’Donnell, the Museum acquired bones of the original Stegosaurus, excavated on Dinosaur Ridge by Arthur Lakes and described by O.C. Marsh in 1878. Preparing these bones from the dusty basement of the Peabody Museum since their discovery more than a century ago is an ongoing task in which museum vis- itors are invited to participate. Once prepared, the specimens are returned to the Peabody, but copies remain behind here. Upstairs, a collection of live amphibians and reptiles native to Colorado, created (see page 33)

The Morrison Natural History Museum delights in a “hands-on” approach to fos- sils, even unique specimens 150 million years old. In sharp contrast to most museums, a sign here invites visitors to “Please Touch”. -32- MUSEUMS

Orum House in Edgewater

Connie Fox actively started seeking funds to focal point within the community. Historian, City of Edgewater purchase the property. This rather Tours of the home are welcomed plain and very simple residence was and can be arranged by appoint- Emma Schmidt Orum was the felt to be a very tangible piece of ment through the Edgewater Histor- daughter of Frank and Elsie Rink Edgewater history. It is also one of ical Commission. For more infor- Schmidt. The Schmidts moved to the few homes remaining that had mation contact Connie Fox at Edgewater in 1891 and built a not been changed since it was built. 303-234-9567 or 303-238-7803. home at West 22nd and Ames The property was Street. The home was located on purchased from a fifty-acre farm tract. Emma was the Open Space born here on May 7, 1893, and her Fund on April 30, brother Louis was born in 1894. 1982 for $18,500 . It is said that Emma was the first The Edgewater baby born in Edgewater. Historical Com- Emma moved to 2444 Depew mission was also Street in 1910. That home, built in able to purchase 1889 (according to records at the all the period fur- court house in Golden), is believed nishings—right to be the second dwelling built in down to the Edgewater. The design of the very wood-burning modest house with three rooms was cook stove in the indicative of the type of residences kitchen. being built at that time. Emma Many volun- remained there until her death on teers have helped The Orum House, built in 1889, is believed to be the second December 28, 1980. make the Orum dwelling built in Edgewater.The Edgewater Historical Commis- sion has restored it with period furnishings. At that time the City of Edgewater House a historical

Morrison Natural History Museum

(continued from page 32) Museum is open from 11 a.m. and maintained with support from to 5 p.m. daily except Monday. the Colorado Herpetological Soci- Admission is $4.50 per family, $2 ety, is the only public exhibit of for adults, $1.50 for students and native herpetiles in the area. Thou- seniors. Children 5 and under sands of children love to meet are admitted free. Tours must these animals during their group be scheduled in advance. The tours each year. museum is located just south The Morrison Natural History of Morrison on Highway 8 and can easily be reached from C-470 or Hwy 285. Left:This charming old log house, threatened by construction of C-470, Morrison Natural History Museum is on the way to its new location on PO Box 564 Morrison, CO 80465 Highway 8 and it’s new purpose as 303.697.1873 fax 303.697.8752 [email protected] Morrison’s Natural History Museum. -33- JEFFERSON COUNTY HIS Irma Wyhs

Irma Wyhs came to Golden, She was appointed to the Jeffer- In 1992, Irma Wyhs led the cam- Colorado in 1963 and has lived in son County Historical Commission paign to save two historic cabins in Edgewater since 1975. She was very in 1982 and served for ten years. In Crawford Gulch. Built in the active in Jefferson County during 1988 Wyhs became director of the 1870’s, the cabins were moved to the 1960’s, when she organized a Golden DAR Pioneer Museum, the new “Clear Creek History series of International Watercolor where she founded Columbine Park,” in Golden and restored. Workshops. In 1967, Ms. Wyhs Days. Visitors can now became the first director Photo Courtesy of Olan Mills experience ranching life of the Foothills Arts Cen- of the late 1800s by ter. She shifted to journal- visiting these historic ism two years later, a structures. Presently, move that earned her a she is under contract place in Jefferson County with the Sentinel and history. She quickly Transcript newspapers became the Assistant Edi- to produce a monthly tor at the Golden Daily History Page. Transcript. In 1971, she In 1993, Ms. Wyhs began the column “Out received third place in West” in the county’s Sen- the National Writer’s tinel Newspapers. Contest. Many other Wyhs was always awards followed for her involved in the local com- writing and poetry. To munity, where she estab- quote former mayor of lished, wrote, and directed Edgewater, Roger musicals for the Edgewa- Mariole, “She is the ter Little Playhouse. She embodiment of chaired the Edgewater achievement, service Historical Association and and dedication to twice saved a historical both neighbor and site, the Orum House, community...” home of the first baby More information on the born in the city. Irma left Orum House Museum can be a substantial mark on found on page 33. Edgewater. Irma Wyhs

-34- TORIC HALL OF FAME George S. Green

George S. Green was appointed and every road worker. This assign- Green encouraged budgeting by Governor Ralph Carr as Jeffer- ment was made more difficult by monies for the new edifice. The son County commissioner in the manpower shortage of the war second Jefferson County Court March, 1940, to fill a vacancy and the rationing of gasoline and House was completed in 1953 until an election was held later tires. He was paid $100 a month. and served the needs of the that year. He was then elected to Early in his political career, he County for forty years. fill the term and was elected George Green’s two more times. Photo Courtesy of the Green family intergrity was never The decade he served questioned. This the County was one of Golden Gate rancher, the most pivotal in its who entered the history. The New Deal political arena at the directives of the Depres- age of 59, had spent sion and the federal regu- his life raising, lations of the World War grazing, buying, and II period directly affected selling cattle. He Jefferson County during had earned an unwa- his tenure. Commissioner vering reputation for Green helped to imple- impeccable honesty. ment the first peace-time A true pioneer of draft and facilitated the West who spent building of the Reming- his years in the sad- ton Arms factory. The dle, George S. Green arms factory, now the was a self-made man. Denver Federal Center, His dedication to was successfully complet- community service ed in little more than six did not cease after months. Then came wage his death. Through and price controls and the arrangements of the rationing of many his son and daughter- necessities. in-law Lela, 2900 acres Completely dedicated of pristine Colorado to serving the County, beauty in Gilpin George Green turned County were deeded over the operation of his George S. Green to the Golden Gate ranch to his son Kenneth and anticipated the post-war growth of State Park with a provision that daughter-in-law Lela. He personally the County. The aging 1878 Court it be called the Green Ranch. served the area of the mountains House, the original County seat, The land he loved and cared of Jefferson County, where he very no longer was adequate. Fiscally for is his legacy to generations conscientiously knew each road responsible throughout his tenure, to come.

-35- HISTORIC PLACES IN JEFFCO

Enterprise Grange Hall No. 25

The Grange Movement, more for- products and the high prices with Mary Churches playing an mally known as the Order of charged for the goods he pur- active role in the group’s activities. Patrons of Husbandry, was the chased were evident reasons for Over time, Enterprise Grange No. first fraternal farmers’ organization the beginning of the Grange in 25 consolidated with Ralston to admit women to membership this state.” Grange No.12, and moved fre- with full equality in voting and In the fall of 1873, a group of quently. Meanwhile, Fremont office holding. It began in Col- farm people met in a log cabin on Grange No.181 had decided to pur- orado on February 8, 1873, when the John Churches ranch, about chase land and build a new meet- Ceres Grange No.1 in Wheat Ridge four miles southwest of the present ing hall. In November 1914, was organized. Over the years, con- meeting hall, to discuss farming Charles McFadden donated prop- solidation chapters quickly and irrigation ditch rights. They erty. The group borrowed $500 to emerged in northern Jefferson decided to organize formally, and a purchase brick at $25 a thousand. County, often sharing their meet- charter was applied for on June 25, Construction began on January ing quarters. In January 1874, the 1874. Sixteen members signed the 28, 1915, with the digging of the Colorado Territorial Grange was application, twelve men and four basement. The brick building, a chartered. At the First Session, the women. They chose John Churches* simple meeting hall, was complet- speaker stated “the low prices as their leader, and met at the ed by members in their spare time. received by the farmer for his Churches home for several years, (continued on page 37) Photo by Milly Roeder

At the First Ses- sion of the Col- orado Territorial Grange in 1874, the speaker stat- ed “the low prices received by the farmer for his products and the high prices charged for the goods he pur- chased were evi- dent reasons for the beginning of the Grange in this state.” Construc- tion of the Grange Hall, shown at right, began in 1915.

-36- HISTORIC PLACES

Gate Posts to the Lariat Trail

At the western edge of Golden, Benoit Benedict, another of Den- on the east pylon. two large stone pylons point like ver’s great artists. The previous owner of the sentries to the northern entry of The 35 foot high pylons of rough property adjoining the west pylon the Lariat Trail and its dramatic hewn native stone were constructed threatened to remove it because he climb on the wind- Photo by Milly Roeder believed it was on his ing road to Look- land and it obstructed out Mountain. his views of Denver From here, amazing and the Plains. The views into the dis- pylon was then proved tance reward the to be on city land and traveler. The trail to protect the pylons was the first and from destruction, the one of the most dif- Golden Historic Preser- ficult to construct vation Board approved in the Denver local historic designa- Mountain Park Sys- tion on June 7, 1999, tem. It was opened although both were in 1913, with early also listed on the designs outlined by National Register of Frederick Law Olm- Historic Places as part sted, Jr. Denver’s of the Lariat Trail nom- These 35-foot-high pylons of rough hewn native stone were constructed renowned landscape in 1917 as the “Entrance to the Denver Mountain Parks” in Golden. ination. The current architect, Saco Rink owner of the adjoining de Boer provided survey and layout. in 1917. A central pedestrian archway property is content to see the Architectural buildings and struc- leads through each. “Entrance to the pylons preserved and considers tures were created by Jules Jacques Denver Mountain Parks” is engraved them an asset to his land.

Enterprise Grange

(continued from page 36) projects, such as making Christmas flour and bran, which was dis- An addition was built by the baskets for the needy, donating to tributed among the members. members in 1952, particularly for the Arvada Clothing Bank, and This purchase, made in Long- the Juvenile Grange. On April 23, sewing for the Red Cross. Picnics, mont and shipped by rail, pro- 1930, Enterprise Grange No.25 dances, debates, card parties, and vided a big savings for Grange and Fremont Grange No. 181 con- talent shows were most popular. members by avoiding the middle- solidated. The deed to the nomi- J.A. Newcomb served as Master for man’s costs. nated property transferred to twenty-five consecutive years. He Enterprise Grange No. 25, Enterprise, the group with the ear- also served as Master of the Col- located at 7203 N. Simms St. in lier of the two charters. orado State Grange from 1894 to Arvada, was listed on the State Many member families enjoyed 1897 and was an officer of the Historic Register of Historic a long association with the group. National Grange during that time. Properties on August 11, 1999. Members participated in many One early Grange project was the group activities and community 1888 purchase of a carload of *See “Churches Ranch,” Historically Jeffco, volume 11, Issue 19, 1998, p.42 -37- HISTORIC PLACES

The Stewart Building in Golden

The two-story, rectangular brick of Pythias fraternal hall on the sec- 1898, Elvyn E. Stewart, City Trea- building with a corner entrance ond. The business motto of surer of Golden, formed a partner- stands prominently at the corner Nankivell and Jones was “quick ship with S.E. Parshall, which pur- of 10th Street and Wash- Photo by Milly Roeder sales and small profits.” chased Parfet’s business and stock. ington Avenue. It Nankivell became Stewart continued to operate the was constructed mayor of Gold- grocery for forty years. During the by James en and Jones 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan met in the Nankivell was elected second floor hall of the building. and Robert treasurer of Stewart sold the block to Leonard Jones in Jefferson Vogel, a brewmaster at Adolph 1892. County. Coors Company. Vogel donated the Sometime The com- building to the City of Golden, during the pany which used it as a recreation center 1920s, an became from 1944 to 1961. The city then Indian was a casualty sold the building to raise funds for painted on of the a new recreation center. Until then, the southern Silver Panic of it had been a laundromat and side, facing 10th 1893, and in office building. Street, as part of an December of that The Golden Historic Preserva- advertisement for Rocky year, Caleb E. Parfet tion Board approved the building Ford Cigars. The local painter purchased the building and for historic site designation on also painted forest scenes for the moved his grocery stock into it. In July 22, 1999. second floor fraternal hall. Mr. Nankivell had come to Golden in Photo courtesy of the City of Golden 1876, entering a grocery business with Jenkin Edwards. Robert Jones came to Golden the following year and purchased an interest in the firm in 1880. Edwards retired in 1881, and the firm was known as Nankivell and Jones from then on. The company was successful, selling groceries and supplies to local resi- dents. In 1892, Nankivell and Jones built this building, with the grocery on the first floor and the Knights

This two-story brick building, built in 1892, stands at the corner of 10th Street and Washington Avenue. It was used as a recre- ation center for Golden from 1944 to 1961, when it was sold to raise funds for a new recreation center. It became a designated his- toric site in July, 1999. -38- “THREATENED” PLACES IN JEFFCO

Photo of Esther Bishop Harkness’ childhood home at 80th Avenue and Alkire Street—the “Alkire House” Photo by Milly Roeder There is Life in Them Thar Places The story of the “Alkire House,” the determined young woman who lived in it, and how we may lose this historic dwelling by Marcetta Lutz remainders of the wide open roof. A central dormer looks out and Milly Roeder spaces that once supported ranch- on each side in picture book fash- es. From a natural ridge to the ion. Broad overhanging eaves with A hill in the prairie of north Jef- north, family homes seem to send simple modillions guard the walls. ferson County offers views in all their hellos across the bulldozers The windows are boarded up, and directions. To the west lies the preparing the ground for the new the front porch with wooden sup- Front Range—behind it the shining Ralston Valley High School. On ports and rails harbors swallows Rocky Mountains. In the distant top of the hill, like a queen on her and yellow jackets in the ceiling. south Pikes Peak is a faint shadow. throne overlooking her kingdom, No one watches out from the plat- Toward the east and closer by, sits a proud red brick house, a typ- form above for family members or horses graze in the meadows, ical Foursquare with a hipped strangers coming along 80th

-39- Avenue from Arvada. It is waiting Ullman in 1895 but died in child- Pharmacy School at the University to be torn down to make room for birth in 1896. Her baby lived only of Colorado until her tuition a fire station. two more years in the care of Mol- money ran out two years later. The Alkire House, as it is lie’s parents in California. Esther was determined to gradu- known in the region, was once the Lonely and still grieving for his ate from the university, and she home of Esther Bishop, a deter- wife, though doing well in Creede started teaching, saving her money mined young woman who had as Superintendent of the Amethyst and taking college courses during moved here from Creede with her Mine and Mill, Frank Ullman the summer. Esther returned home mother, her siblings, and her step asked Maggie Bishop to come to to care for her ailing mother, hop- father Frank Ullman. Creede with her children. Maggie ing to teach at Ralston School. She Frederick Fitch Bishop and his Bishop agreed, and she married received her teaching certificate in friend Frank Ullman had met the Frank Ullman on May 17, 1906 in 1922 and kept it active until 1940. Young sisters, Margaret Ann and Maple Grove. Walter Harkness, a member of Mollie Young in Creede. And as In 1910 the Ullman family the District 12 School Board, things would have it, Margaret moved to north Jefferson County, received Esther’s application to Ann and Frederick Fitch Bishop where they built their house on teach. She later told how, “Mr. were married December 4, 1892 80th Avenue and Alkire Street. Harkness brought the contract to and had two children. Bernice and Through most of her childhood, the Alkire house, where I was milk- Fred, Jr. were born in 1894 and Esther joined Bernice and brother ing the cow out in the pasture. 1896. Fred Bishop contracted Fred on the horse and buggy to The cow kept stepping in the pail miner’s consumption and, looking get to school, but in her senior and mooing. Needless to say I did for a dry climate where he could year she was able to take the not know the first thing about get well, the family moved to Tuc- tramway. milking a cow. Finally, in a son, Arizona, where Elmina Esther Esther graduated from high grumpy voice, he said that if I Bishop was born on May 24, 1901. school in three years. Her mother would just sign the contract he Her father died three years later in wanted at least one of her children would milk the cow. I signed the Prescott, Arizona. to go to college and after gradua- contract on the back of the cow. Mollie Young married Frank tion in 1918, Esther studied at the Mr. Harkness did not know that

-40- Drawing courtesy of Dietrich Roeder

13 years later I would be part of In 1941, at the beginning of the family.” World War II, the draft board noti- For the next few years, fied Esther that she may be “draft- Esther taught at different ed” to fill a pharmacist’s vacancy. schools in Wyoming and However, she was not called to Colorado. But it was phar- serve in the military. macy she wanted to pur- In 1942, a local pharmacist, sue and in 1928, when Doc Lercher, became ill. His she was making $1,000 wife Nellie called Esther in per year, she quit teach- the middle of the summer ing. With enough cred- to help at the drugstore. its for a degree in Esther was in the midst of pharmacy, she passed canning tomatoes, but with- the State Board exams out hesitation she pushed for an Assistant Phar- them to the back of the macist and went to coal stove and went to Greeley to work in a work at Lercher’s Drug at drug store. She then the corner of Grandview and passed the State Board Wadsworth—where she stayed and became a registered for the next ten years. She sub- pharmacist, one of the sequently worked at Mercy and few women in Colorado to Presbyterian Hospitals and then reach this goal at that time. retired in 1971. Esther was a mem- Esther worked as a pharmacist ber of the Arvada Historical Soci- for several years before she ety in the 1970s and was appoint- married Wayne Harkness* on ed to the Jefferson County Histor- December 7, 1935. ical Commission in 1982. She died * Wayne Harkness was the son of school The Bishop family with Esther, on February 26, 1994 after a long district superintendent Walter Harkness the baby, in the center. -41- illness and was interred at the Arvada Cemetery. The determined and persistent Esther Bishop Harkness, a role model for many of today’s young women, lived the first third of her life in this historic red brick foursquare house. It is probably the only one of its kind in unin- corporated Jefferson County. Owned by the Arvada Fire Protection Department, this historic dwelling is slated to be demolished. SOURCE Pearce, Sally J., and Merril A. Wilson, A Guide To Colorado Architecture, Denver, Colorado, by the State Historical Society of Colorado, 1983, p.36

Left: Esther Bishop photographed with her State Championship Basketball Team in 1918. Right: Esther and Bernice Bishop Historic photos courtesy of Arvada Historical Society

Bear Creek Avenue (Main Street) looking east in Morrison in April, 1891 Photo courtesy of Littleton Historical Museum, Littleton, CO

-42- Why Would I Want Designation for My Historic Place? by Dan Corson and Milly Roeder desired designation will be all. But des- other ways of financial assistance. ignation can do more than that. It Designation criteria, on which finan- Imagine the owner of a barn on his opens up state and federal income tax cial and technical assistance depend, are farm on a highway in the county. The credits and it guarantees appropriate established by local ordinance or reso- road needs to be widened and the barn work through a review process that pro- lution. They are tools of a review is in the way. The barn is more than vides for sympathetic alterations or that process that guide a restoration project 100 years old; maybe it was built in prevents demolition. toward appropriate alterations and pro- 1879. With its stone foundation and Help could be available. The barn, tect it from actions which could com- wood construction, the barn is a land- the first of our three hypothetical promise the historic integrity of the mark to locals and travelers. But the examples, could be restored with appro- property. Whether the property owner times have taken their toll. The founda- priate repairs. The program “Barn must give consent to the designation is tion is sagging and cracks are showing Again!” by the National Trust for His- a matter of local discretion. up in the walls pointing at structural toric Preservation teaches owners of old Currently, about 70 local govern- problems. The barn needs other repairs barns that their buildings can be saved ments in Colorado, both cities and and a new roof as well. The owner and restored for less money than a new counties, have enacted historic preserva- thinks of all the trouble he has with one, even with today’s changing tion regulations. Several more are this old barn and ponders that, maybe, demands. considering this type of resolution. It the best thing is to tear it down and That an important person has once is remarkable that no two of these get a new one. What else can he do? lived in the house of the business ordinances are identical. And although Or, a woman’s business in a unique woman and its rare architecture can be many communities fear rigid bureaucra- old building is growing and needs more used as criteria for designation on the cy through an historic preservation space. The old house was built of brick State or National Register of Historic ordinance or resolution, the opposite with wooden window frames at the Places or as a Local Landmark. Finan- usually occurs. Designation and design turn of the century and was once cial help, such as grants from the State review are often the least bureaucratic owned by a person who was instrumen- Historical Fund and other sources or in a jurisdiction. tal in the local settlement. The cus- tax incentives can help to finance need- By meeting certain standards, one tomers like the historic atmosphere. ed repairs. Locally designated historic of which is historic designation, Various repairs and renovation are need- properties are eligible for technical communities can become Certified ed to present a better image of the assistance that would ensure adherence Local Governments and be eligible for business to the public. The cost to the requirements for repairs, design, an additional grant from the National appears prohibitive. She feels helpless and construction to retain the original Park Service. and thinks about selling the property appearance and materials of the Presently, there is no preservation for the money she may get and then structure. resolution or local designation of his- moving elsewhere. In Colorado, all National Register toric landmarks in Jefferson County. Some people have heard that desig- sites are automatically also listed on the The Historic Preservation Committee nation of their property and listing it State Register. Properties of state signifi- of the Jefferson County Historical on the State or National Register may cance can be listed solely on the State Commission is diligently working on protect it from being swallowed up by Register. However, many more older an historic preservation resolution that rising taxes and development, being buildings may be significant to the includes landmark designation and demolished, or the roof caving in. List- local community. review process in the County. ing on the State or National Register The most effective local designation Dan Corson is Local Government to others appears to be on a higher is carefully created for the community’s Liaison at the Colorado Historical Soci- level and may provide more prestige. wants and needs. With recognition, an ety. Call him for additional information and to still others it means more historic property in the county also about the benefits of local designation bureaucracy and government telling could be eligible to technical and finan- at 303-866-2673. For information on them what to do. cial assistance, such as grants from the the “Barn Again!” program call Mary Having one’s property listed on the State Historical Fund, the large pot of Humstone at the National Trust for National or State Register of Historic money derived from Colorado’s gam- Historic Preservation 303-623-1504. For Places certainly is quite an honor and bling revenues. The State’s historic your support or information, please call should fill the owner with pride. But, income tax credit provides a tax credit 303-271-8446. without federal or state funds being of up to $50,000 for restoration of a used in a restoration project, the local landmark. And there are also

-43- JCHC NEWS (continued from page 1)

photographs and negatives, as well assist to develop a resolution to will then have access to grants from as how to handle, restore and store designate those sites. JCHC will the State Historical Fund or other these precious items. For October, again nominate the South Platte tax incentives by the State in order Carole Lomond arranged a success- Hotel and the Westall Monument in to restore their historic places. ful and informative visit to the Astor the North Fork Historic District to House Museum and the Clear the Endangered Places list of Col- PUBLICATIONS Creek Ranch Park in Golden. orado Preservation, Inc. for the year Our Museums and Historic Sites 2000.The list contains historic brochure has experienced a facelift HISTORIC PRESERVATION properties that are in danger of because new historic places are A grant from the State Historical being lost by neglect or natural continually added and a change was Fund, matched by $5,000 from Jef- deterioration.They often find sup- due.The brochure is free for the ferson County, will enable JCHC to port when their predicament is taking and can be found at the cour- conduct a preliminary survey of his- made known to the public. thouse and at local libraries. toric sites in unincorporated Jeffer- We appeal to our readers to let son County.The results will enable us know about other historic places GRANTS the historic preservation committee in the County that are in need of The Historical Commission was to determine where future more being saved. granted $10,000 from the Colorado intensive surveys will be considered. Finally, the committee has re- Historical Fund to be matched by Historical/cultural resources surveys worked the Historic Preservation Jefferson County with $5,000 to will provide the commission with Resolution for the unincorporated conduct a preliminary survey about information on the number, signifi- areas in Jefferson County that was historic sites in the unincorporated cance and condition of existing his- proposed and postponed in 1996. areas of the County. (The incorpo- toric sites. It will demonstrate the An Historic Preservation Resolution rated areas of the County have their need for designation of historic will allow Jefferson County to desig- preservation programs in their landmarks and historic districts and nate historic sites whose owners respective jurisdictions).

Photo courtesy of the Littleton Historical Museum, Littleton, CO Bear Creek Avenue (Main Street) looking west in Morrison. Edwin Matthews and his donkey, Alice, are shown in the foreground. Schneider’s Gro- ceries, Restaurant and Rooms at 311 Bear Creek Ave. is the two-story frame building at right. It burned in 1931 and was replaced by the present brick building in that location.

-44- The information in this magazine is solely provided by the authors. JCHC, the Board of County Commissioners and the Historically Jeffco committee are not responsible for the opinions of authors and the content of their articles. Readers are invited to write to “Historically Jeffco,” 100 Jefferson County The Jefferson County Historical Commission members Parkway, c/o Archives and Records are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Management, Room 1500, Golden, The current County Commissioners are (from left): CO 80419. Copies can be purchased Richard Sheehan, Michelle Lawrence and Pat Holloway. for $5 at the Department of The Archives and Records Management Department Jefferson County Archives and Records Management. has periodicals and other information available for Historical Commission The magazine is available free of people interested in history and historic preservation charge to members of Jefferson in Jefferson County. For information call Duncan County Historical Societies. McCollum at 303-271-8446.

H I S TO R I C A L LY JEFFCO WRITERS AWARD CONTEST HISTORICALLY JEFFCO invites writers of all ages to participate in the Historically Jeffco Writers Award Contest. All topics must relate directly to the factual history of Jefferson County. For new contest rules and application forms, please contact Duncan McCollum at Archives and Records Management Department at 303-271-8446.

NEWS FROM THE HISTORICAL FUND

Substantial changes are underway at of our preservation partners. Pro- the forms and to explain the oppor- the State Historical Fund.The stan- jects meeting necessary criteria may tunities summarized above.The dard grant application has been submit a letter of intent describing revised forms will be distributed at rewritten to conform to the Col- the proposed project. If the letter is the workshop. orado Common Grant Application accepted, the applicant will be invited If you sign up for a workshop, we used by most private Colorado foun- to submit a short form application, would prefer that you pick up the dations.The grant handbook has been which will receive an expedited application materials there, if you substantially reduced in size and two review. In addition, the cash match cannot attend, however, we will send new programs have been created. requirement has been waived for them to you, or they can be down- A separate application form is these initiative projects (although the loaded from our web site now available for grants of $10,000 availability of cash match will still be (www.coloradohistory.org/shf). or less for the specific purpose of a factor in the review process). The main web site (www.col- hiring the necessary professionals to The deadlines for grant applica- oradohistory.org) has an introduc- prepare an Historic Structure tions are October 1st and April 1st. tion to all the different types of Assessment.These applications have Letters of Intent for Preservation grants we give out, the guidelines we no deadline, and will be processed Initiative Grants are due six weeks follow, the state constitutional throughout the year. before the application deadline amendment and subsequent legisla- In addition, a new category of (August 15th and February 15th). tion that guides our program, and grant called the Preservation Initia- About two months before every the application materials themselves. tive Grant has been created.These grant round, we will be holding a If you have any questions about grants will address priority projects series of grant application work- the program, please call Rob Sontag identified last year through a survey shops around the State to introduce or Mark Wolfe at 303-866-2825. -45- Left: President Dwight D. Eisenhower views a Titan I ICBM at Martin Marietta’s Waterton facility. Center: Launching of Martin Marietta’s first Titan IV/Cen- taur in February, 1994. Right:The first untethered space walk using Martin Mari- etta’s Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) in Feb. 1984.

MARTIN MARIETTA —one of Jefferson County’s largest employers. (See article on page 4.)

Bulk Rate Jefferson County Historical Commission U.S. Postage 100 Jefferson County Parkway PAID c/o Archives and Records Management, Room 1500 Permit #148 Golden, CO 80419 Golden, CO