Historically Jeffco 2016

Issue 37, 2016 building onthe past—moving usto thefuture Transportation The transition from horse and buggies to automobile transit was not always a smooth one, as this Moffat Tunnel Special Line bus, stuck in a ditch near Arvada in 1939, shows. Arvada Historical Society Front Cover: The Barth Building, built by A.L. Barth in 1898 housed a pool hall, hardware store, grocery and many other businesses, with residents living upstairs. The building was the first two-story structure in Arvada and featured a unique cast-iron storefront. Arvada Historical Society

sion. Local school teacher Tom Keefe and his media-savvy son Given all our 2016 progress, introduced us to the concept of geo-caching, a modern ver- this has been a whirlwind year! Starting last winter, with the Gold Line sion of the old-fashioned treasure hunt. Honoring the request commuter rail system about to roll into Arvada and then this year the from the Board of County Commissioners, published author B Line connecting the City of Westminster to downtown Denver’s Bonnie Scudder and a JCHC committee began working on the Union Station, “Transportation” was chosen as our annual theme. The Judges’ Wall to showcase the 1st Judicial District. Jefferson County Historical Commission (JCHC) quickly began charting We sowed the seeds to start working more closely with Jeffco its course for the Historic Preservation Symposium, the Hall of Fame Open Space which has three historic properties—the Boettch- and Historically Jeffco. er Mansion, Hiwan Museum and Baehrden Lodge and other Olde Town Arvada seemed a natural place for the Annual Historic Pres- heritage sites—under its watch. Together, we will co-sponsor ervation Symposium—co-hosted with the Arvada Historical Society the 2017 Symposium in Evergreen, with a layered “James Mi- (AHS) and the City of Arvada. Held April 30 at The Rising Church, the chener” approach—think land, people and architecture! th former Methodist Church, 7500 W. 57 Ave., this event was attended Then, it was full steam ahead for our magazine team with Edi- by more than 60 participants from all over Colorado. tor Margaret Chapman and graphic artist Doyle Harrison. We By late spring, JCHC was enhanced by two new members—Lee hope you enjoy this treasure trove of County history, remem- Katherine Goldstein and Leda Thaler. Sarah Rosenberg joined Dennis brances and minutia that you are holding in your hands. Dempsey as a staff liaison from the County’s Planning and Zoning Divi- 2 Historically Jeffco 2016 Contents 2 Conestogas to commuter rail 46 Jeffco Open Space stewards of fuel Arvada development county historic sites by Kim Grant, Arvada Historical by Mary Ann Bonnell, Visitor Services Society Manager, Jefferson County Open Space 5 Olde Town Arvada: Forever “On Track” 48 Jeffco home to Colorado’s oldest fencing club 6 Funiculars fuel fun and tourism by Katy Ordway, Second Place, Adult in Jeffco’s foothills Division, Writer’s Award by Lee Katherine Goldstein 51 Golden sailor recalled on Pearl 10 Where the Westall wreck really Harbor’s 75th anniversary happened by Richard Gardner By Milly Roeder, Third Place, Adult Division, Writers’ Award 53 Jefferson County Archives Celebrating 25 Years 13 Lariat Loop historic and scenic By Ronda Frazier, County Archivist byway www.lariatloop.org, Carole Lomond 56 Researchers: a multitude of resources 16 Journey of Barlow, Sanderson & by Bonnie E. Scudder and Lee Co. Katherine Goldstein, with Dan by Theodora Ciobanu, Youth Essay— Cordova First Place 58 Boettcher Mansion—preserved 17 Wall will record Jeffco judicial for Jeffco history by Cynthia Shaw, Director, Boettcher Published by the Jefferson County by Bonnie Scudder and Dan Cordova Mansion Historical Commission (JCHC) 18 Carol Perricone’s sketches record 60 Is it worth it?—preserving your Chair: Mary Lindsey historic courthouses historic resource JCHC Publications Committee by Bonnie Scudder by Sarah Rosenberg, Planner for Editor: Margaret Chapman Jefferson County Planning and 20 Jeffco judicial origins complex, Zoning Design & Layout: Doyle Harrison political Issue 37, 2016 • ISSN 1532-6047 by Richard J. Gardner 61 Preserving History with Metal The information in this magazine is solely provided by the Detecting 26 Judge Christopher Munch retires by William F. Chapman, Jr. authors. JCHC, the Board of County Commissioners and by Bonnie Scudder the Publications Committee are not responsible for the opinions of authors or the content of their articles. 63 Colorado Railroad Museum 27 The Shaffer family of Jeffco’s Norm and Ethel Meyer Award for Shaffer’s Crossing Historic Preservation in Jefferson by Carolyn “Carrie” Shaffer, First Place, County Writers’ Award 66 Alderfer Ranch House and Barn 29 Shaffer family returns to 2016 Jefferson County Historic With fall in the air, it’s time to reflect on our many accom- Shaffers Crossing Landmark by Bonnie Scudder plishments and to express our gratitude to all our stalwart 68 Arvada Jaycee Hall members (see the inside back cover for everyone’s photos, 34 Colorado Locoweed (Oxytropis 2016 Jefferson County Historic term length and areas of expertise). Special thanks to each lambertii) Landmark by Deborah Darnell and every one of you, especially long-time member Sally 69 Big Red Barn White. We beseech her to keep managing her wonderful 35 Mary Coyle Chase’s Jeffco 2016 Jefferson County Historic Landmark website at jeffcohistory.org despite her imminent move to mountain home integral to upper New York State. Staunton State Park 70 Center for the Arts, Evergreen by Bonnie Scudder 2016 Jefferson County Historic In closing, we’d like to invite each and every one of you to 38 Golden Transcript: 150 years of Landmark jump on the JCHC bandwagon (be it as an official member, all the news 71 Joe Tempel an academic researcher or simply a history buff) in its mis- by Richard Gardner Jefferson County Hall of Fame sion—since 1974—to preserve, protect and celebrate our 43 Golden Transcript: A community rich heritage within Jefferson County. Let’s keep the wheels 72 Jefferson County Historical chronicled Commission turning in order to stay on track! by Glenn Wallace Mary Lindsey and Cynthia Shaw 45 Prohibition Jefferson County Historical Commission Chair/Vice Chair by Richard Gardner

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Conestogas to commuter rail fuel Arvada development by Kim Grant, Arvada Historical Society rom pre-historical times until the present, ticularly for Arvada. The Colorado Central Rail- transportation and mobility have been road was the culmination of William Loveland’s Fimportant to the settlement and develop- dream of a rail connection between Clear Creek ment of Arvada and northern Jefferson County. mines and Denver when he chartered the Colo- Evidence of Native American movement into rado and Clear Creek Railroad Company in and out of the region can be found at Indian 1865. Shortly after the transcontinental railroad Tipi Ring Sites near Arvada, and later Arapaho arrived in Denver in 1868 from the east, the Tribes clearly were present in the region and at Colorado Central began construction to Ralston nearby Denver’s founding. Station and beyond to Golden. Large scale immigration into the area from the In February 1871, Arvada boasted both a post East and Midwest was facilitated in large part by office and a new rail station and was soon “on river transportation and by horseback, wagon the map.” Both the speed and the capacity of the and buggy. “The immigrants used various means railroad greatly increased the number of passen- to cross the eastern plains in the later 1850s and gers and the volume of goods into the area— 1860s. Many rode horseback; and some traveled often in proportion to the actual growth in rail by ox cart, in covered wagons, in mule trains track miles completed. Rail miles in the United and on foot. Some even pushed handcarts and States grew from 30,000 in 1870 to 170,000 in wheelbarrows.” The lengthy Conestoga wagon 1900. Historian Gunther Barth noted that this could move families and larger groups, including rapid form of shipment, coupled with the grow- mining prospectors and merchants, with goods ing industrial capacity of the nation’s factories, and provisions on trips that took weeks or even made possible the importation of building ma- months to complete. Before the arrival of the terials to the developing West and enabled the railroad in the late 1860s, these means were the growth of “instant cities.” Arvada’s first two-sto- primary form of transit into the area. ry structure, the Barth Building (1898), with its With the arrival of the railroad in Colorado, cast iron storefront manufactured in Cincinnati, things began to change quickly and more par- quite convincingly makes this point. With the

The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railway provided important commercial links between the foothills and mountain communities and the Denver metro area. Arvada Historical Society

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1904 incorporation of the town, Arvada’s status as a growing regional market was well underway. John Malden Banks served as the station agent for the railroad from 1913 until 1946, during which time the line was used to haul freight to the community and mail to the Arvada Post Of- fice. Shortly before incorporation another significant transportation development arrived in 1902 in the form of the electric streetcar—the Denver Interurban—from downtown Denver. Many of Denver’s historic commercial districts and popular neighborhoods first emerged as key stops on the Denver Tramway Company’s (DTC) expansive streetcar network. At its height, the FasTracks light rail and commuter rail network, Station agent John DTC owned more than160 miles of track and Banks served the including Arvada’s Gold Line, often traverses Arvada Depot from operated more than 250 streetcars. The network roughly the same alignment of streets and routes 1913 until 1946. quickly extended into outlying communities, used by DTC as RTD moves us into the 21st Arvada Historical Society transforming them into “streetcar suburbs.” For century with a denser, more compact form of the next 40-plus years, streetcars served as the development to follow. main link from Denver to these suburbs. Roughly in parallel with the development of Denver Tramway Streetcar .04 served Arvada, the streetcar, came the arrival and proliferation Golden and Leyden and ended up being the last of the automobile. Early street scenes in Arvada streetcar in revenue service when DTC shut the along Grandview Avenue show this juxtaposi- system on July 3, 1950. Buses became the pri- tion of cars, horses and buggies, with the trol- mary means of passenger transportation around ley often in the background. Today’s Olde Wad- A long line of that time and eventually formed the basis for Fords in front of sworth Boulevard grew from the primary road a dealership on today’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) into Arvada into a paved State Highway in the Grandview Ave. system, formed in 1974. Ironically, today’s RTD 1930s. The road itself reflected the growing im- Arvada Historical Society

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popular International Style, the Craig-Frederick Chevrolet Building (1946) also housed early automobile dealerships and car repair shops. Nu- merous service stations existed in and around Olde Town, including the Bearcat Station at the southwestern corner of Ralston Road and Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Billy Shackley’s Carter Oil Co. service station on the southeast corner of West 57th Avenue and Webster Street, the Skel- ley station at the northeast corner of Grandview Avenue and Yukon Street, Nick’s Texaco Service at Grandview and Graves avenues (later Lamar Street) and Al’s Phillips 66 at Ralston Road and Wadsworth Boulevard, among many others. During the postwar period auto-oriented development greatly expanded the footprint and in- Arvada station portance of the automobile with the installation fluenced the character of Arvada. Between 1940 stop on Route 82 of Jefferson County’s first stoplight in 1941 at served passengers and 1970, the city grew from approximately two the intersection of Olde Wadsworth Boulevard coming and going to nearly 20 square miles. The scale of newly de- on the Denver and Grandview Avenue and with the prolifera- veloped neighborhoods expanded as homebuild- Tramway System tion of automobile dealers and service stations with its distinctive ers perfected land development and home con- along the way. metal clad, yellow struction techniques on a previously unheard of streetcars and The A.L. Davis Block building (1916) was at the decimal point scale. One of the first large-scale post-war hous- numbering system. same intersection and hosted Dodge and later ing developments was built between 1954 and Arvada Historical Society Ford dealerships. Ralph Ashton housed his Ash- 1956 in the mid-century modern style in Alta ton Motor Co. up the street at 5757 Wadsworth Vista by Chet Hoskinson and partners. Each Blvd. in today’s Gold Coin Building. Built in the home prominently featured carports or garages in reflection of the importance the automobile began to play in the lives of American families. Major arterial streets began to leapfrog areas with rooftops and shopping centers to follow. The town’s first McDonald’s Restaurant opened in 1959 with its distinctive first-generation “golden arches” design. In 1961 the Arvada Plaza Shop- ping Center was built at West 57th Avenue and Independence Street. Both developments were a reflection of the movement of people out of the older core of the community into the outlying neighborhoods. The 1957 development of “the million dollar highway,” as locals called the Wad- sworth Bypass, helped spur more through town traffic and symbolized the growing ties among Denver area suburbs. The growth of the automobile also shaped leisure time and entertainment choices as it expanded the developed areas. The Olde Wadsworth Boulevard in the 1960s appeared much as the typical state highway running through a Colorado eastern plains town would at the time. Wadsworth Drive-In Theater, with its unique Note the distinctive 1st National Bank neon sign on the roof of the bank building. combination of state-of-the-art outdoor and in- Arvada Urban Renewal Authority door parking and seating arrangements, opened

4 Historically Jeffco 2016 TRANSPORTATION to critical acclaim in 1954. This huge drive-in theater at 5050 North Wadsworth Boulevard Olde Town Arvada: featured 500 indoor seats and accommodated 850 cars outside before its relatively short run Forever “On Track” ended. It was torn down in 1983. On April 30, the Historical Commission hosted its 13th Annual Historic Preserva- Olde Town Arvada’s role as the economic cen- tion Symposium with the Arvada Histori- ter of Arvada began to diminish in the post-war cal Society (AHS) at The Rising Church, era, however, as shopping trends changed and Kim Grant is the House formerly the Methodist Church, in Olde new competition from outlying retail centers Manager at the McIlvoy Town Arvada. House for the Arvada emerged. This pattern happened all over the Historical Society and United States in the years following World War The overall theme of “Transportation, is a private consultant II, but it was amplified locally by decisions to Preservation & The Evolution of Place” to non-profits and local governments move City Hall, the Post Office, Arvada Library was chosen to tell the story of how this focusing on downtown and other services out of the core downtown burgeoning rural community established revitalization, in the 1850s—after the first gold was dis- grants writing and area. administration, historic covered in nearby Ralston Creek—has al- Olde Town always held a special place in the preservation and parks, ways embraced modern transit as a means trails and open space hearts of Arvada residents. In the 1990s and of connecting with the rest of its environs, projects. 2000s, determined revitalization positioned the without compromising its deep agrarian downtown area to once again capitalize on the roots. latest transportation developments—this time in the form of the Gold Line commuter rail service. Railroad historian Wally Weart, Kim Grant, When operational, this new passenger rail ser- AHS’ McIlvoy House manager and pres- vice will speed commuters to downtown Denver ervation consultant Noré Winter tracked in roughly 20 minutes time, far quicker than the Arvada’s methods of mobilization from old trolley and most automobiles traveling the trolleys to trains to light rail. The audience enjoyed a communal lunch at Kline’s Beer metro-area’s increasingly congested streets and Noré Winter, APA, is an highways. Hall. Then, Grant pointed out a variety of urban designer and significant buildings during a walk around planner specializing in As they say, “what goes around comes around.” town. AHS member Nancy Young gave serving communities with special amenities, Works cited: a colorful talk inside the McIlvoy House natural settings and History of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, The Arapaho Project. Boulder, historic places. He is a CO: University of Colorado and Colorado Endowment for the about some of the more memorable char- Humanities (CEH), pg. 1 former Chairman of the acters and incidents that helped shape the National Alliance of Pres- Manley, Joyce. “Arapahoe City to Fairmount: From a Ghost Town community. ervation Commissions. to a Community,” from The , 28 June 1860 reported that a party of 20 had reached Golden City from the Today’s visitors only have to stand by the Missouri River after thirty-seven days of travel by ox train. Arvada Historical Society. More Than Gold: A History of Arvada, iconic Flour Mill Museum at the intersec- Colorado, During the Period 1870-1904. Boulder, CO, 1975, pp. tion of Olde Wadsworth and Grandview Graham, Wade. Dream Cities: Seven Urban Ideas That Shape the avenues to see how a 1920’s National Reg- World. New York: Harper Publishing Company, 2016. Pp. 336. ister site can coexist with hustle and bustle Barth, Gunther. Instant Cities: Urbanization and the Rise of San Francisco and Denver. London: Oxford University Press, 1975. Pp. of the incoming Gold Line, slated for com- 340. pletion later this year; and its effect on the Robertson, Don and Cafky, Rev. W. Morris. Denver’s Street Railway: changing infrastructure. There is no ques- Volume II —1901-1950. Denver, CO, Sundance Publications Ltd., 2004, pp. 536. tion that Arvada, while forever respectful Arvada Historical Society. Arvada Comes of Age: A History of Arvada, of its past, is also blasting full speed ahead Colorado, During the Period 1942-1976. Westminster, CO: The Publishing House, 2002, pp. 434. towards a thriving future. Godspeed! “Unique Design for Denver Drive-In,” Los Angeles, CA: Box Office For more information on next year’s Sym- Magazine, April 3, 1954, pg. A-52. posium, visit the JCHC website.

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Funiculars fuel fun and tourism in Jeffco’s foothills by Lee Katherine Goldstein

n the early 1900s, the foothills west of Den- ness endeavors in Denver and New York City. In ver attracted increasing numbers of tourists. 1903, Walker started buying land near Morrison IMany lived in Denver and travelled to the with the vision of building a resort and other foothills by electric rail lines or automobiles. tourist attractions. In 1905, he sold his publi- Seeing profit in tourism, three entrepreneurs cation Cosmopolitan magazine to William Ran- worked to create resorts in the scenic foothills dolph Hearst and moved to Morrison to raise area; and each built a funicular railroad to bring his family. From 1905 to 1910, Walker built a John Brisbin Walker tourists to stay at his resort and to hike and pic- number of improvements in the area including a Sally White Collection nic on the surrounding land. Here are the stories fine hotel and casino, a 100-foot swimming pool of the three Jefferson County scenic funicular and auto and carriage drives skirting the foot- railways, the men who built them and the mag- hills. In 1906, he purchased an area of land cov- nificent land they occupied. ered in large red rock formations known at the time as “Garden of the Angels.” Walker renamed Mount Morrison Incline Railway the park and drew visitors to the area by touting The funicular called the Mount Morrison Incline the park’s natural features including its red rock Mt. Morrison Incline Railway opened in August 1909. John Brisben formations, caves and fresh water spring. Railway Walker built the funicular to bring tourists to his Gardner Family Collection In a brochure designed to entice tourists to visit resort, the Mount Morrison Hotel and Casino, Mt. Morrison Incline the park, Walker described the area as the “for- and as an additional attraction for his “Garden Railway from Red mer dwelling place of prehistoric life where gi- Rocks (below right) of the Titans,” with its caves and natural am- ant Saurians roamed at will,” and told would-be Sally White Collection phitheater. Today, the land is part of Red Rocks visitors that fossils of these creatures had been Park, owned by the unearthed in the area in recent years. Walker’s City and County of 1913 brochure also engaged the imaginations of Denver, and home the tourists, inviting them to come view the rock of the world-class formations called the Sinking Titanic and the Fa- performance venue, tal Iceberg. He described these rocks as nature’s Red Rocks Amphi- lasting monument to the most colossal sea disas- theatre. ter in history. The park was also home to many Walker made his caves including Cave of the Seven Ladders, Cave fortune through a of Saturn and Cave of the Melian Nymphs, col- number of busi- lectively called the Caves of the Titans. Walker

6 Historically Jeffco 2016 TRANSPORTATION encouraged tourists to come explore the caves was too rough and drink cool sparkling water from the natural for most cars. spring he called the Spring of Rhea. Quaintance Those familiar with present-day Red Rocks Am- and his broth- phitheater know that the amphitheater is cradled er came up between two mammoth rocks called Creation with the idea Rock and Ship Rock. Walker called the rocks to build a fu- Creation Rock and Rock of Corios and referred nicular rail- to them together as the Gateway of Coelus and way running Terra. Walker called the amphitheater “Creation from Golden Park Auditorium.” He hosted concerts there in to the top of the summers and catapulted the venue to in- Castle Rock ternational fame in 1911 with a concert by re- both as a way nowned opera singer Mary Garden. Her 1911 to bring tour- prediction that “the time would come when ists up to the 50,000 people would assemble here to listen to resort and as the world’s masterpieces” has come to fruition in an additional the spectacular natural amphitheater. In Walk- attraction for er’s day, tourists could also climb a rock stairway the park. He to the top of Creation Rock where a platform called the fu- looked out over the funicular and surrounding nicular the land. Castle Rock Mountain The Mount Morrison Funicular Railway started Railway. The from a platform just north of Creation Rock and funicular, climbed to the summit of Mount Morrison. The which began funicular traveled up a 60 percent grade and was operations advertised as the longest in the world. The fu- in 1913, was nicular climbed up Mount Morrison five times a cross between a train and an elevator. It used Castle Rock a day with the last ride reserved for overnight two trains running in opposite directions to pull Mountain Scenic Railway guests of the Mount Morrison Hotel. Round each other up rails to the top of the mountain. trip fare from Denver and admission to the park Gardner Family Collection was 60 cents. If a trip to the top of mount Mor- An open air structure built of log slabs served rison via the funicular railway was included, the as a depot for the funicular at the base of South cost was $1.50 on weekdays and $1 on Sundays. Table Mountain. From there, tourists rode up Concertgoers were permitted to ride the funicu- the side of the mountain to the resort on top. lar railway for free. The round-trip fare to ride the funicular varied between 76 cents and $1.25. The price included Castle Rock Mountain Scenic Railway dancing at the dance hall. In addition to the In June 1908, Charles F. Quaintance opened a dance hall and casino, the Castle Rock Resort dance hall and casino resort on the top of Castle had a refreshment shop which sold candy, cigars, Rock on South Table Mountain. The dance hall soda water and other luxury items. A brochure was in a rustic pavilion with wood floors and advertising the Castle Rock Mountain Railway lots of windows, and electric lights were strung and Park called it “the Sentinel of the Rockies.” around the grounds and along the trails. At first, Visitors could use a powerful telescope to enjoy Quaintance brought guests up to the resort on the panoramic view of the surrounding land burros. He then planned to bring guests by car including Denver, Golden, the majestic snowy on a road built up the side of South Table Moun- range and Pikes Peak. Burros were available to tain. This soon proved to be a more difficult task take tourists on trips to the lava cliffs around the than he first thought since the completed road edges of the mountain.

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accused of “kiting” stock. He was forced to file bankruptcy. Resilient, he recovered, moved to Lookout Mountain and began plans to build a fancy resort on top of Lookout Moun- tain with a golf course, tennis courts and pavilions. The resort would have electricity and telephone and would pump in its own clear mountain water. The plans also included the construction of a funicular railway, running from the base of Lookout Mountain to its summit. Construction began in 1911 on the Lookout Mountain Fu- nicular, and it began operation in the summer of 1912. Bro- chures for “Lookout Mountain Park in the Rockies” beck- oned visitors to come see the “glorious panorama covering 40,000 square miles . . . of fertile plains and the snow-capped Divide of the Rocky Mountains.” The brochures told visitors that from the summit, they would have a clear view of Den- ver’s streets, domes, spires and buildings. Increasing numbers of tourists took the scenic drive out from Denver to Golden in 1913 and 1914, passing through a doz- en miles of farmland, orchards and gardens along the way. From Golden, tourists rode the Lookout Mountain Funicular up a 2,740-foot incline to the top of the mountain, a gain

Castle Rock In 1914, tourism in the foothills was boom- Mountain Scenic Railway ing, and the Castle Rock funicular was kept Gardner Family Collection running full-time with hundreds of tourists on Memorial Day weekend. However, just two years later, although tourism still boomed in Golden and the surrounding area, the number of funiculars riders had fallen off drastically. In March 1919, the Jefferson County Pub- lic Trustee announced that the Castle Rock Scenic Railway and the surrounding property would be auctioned at foreclosure sale to pay notes held by Adolph Coors. The dance hall structure burned down in August 1927. Lookout Mountain Funicular Rees Vidler was an Englishman who came in 1882 to America as a young man. He lived Lookout Mountain in Georgetown, where he became a mining Funicular engineer and built tunnels for the railroads. Sally White Collection Vidler left Georgetown under a black cloud,

8 Historically Jeffco 2016 TRANSPORTATION of 1,110 feet. At the top of the funicular track, tourists could buy lunches from a refreshment stand called Panorama Light Lunch and Grocer- ies to carry into the forest for a picnic. In 1913, Vidler’s Lookout Mountain Park Development Co. gifted 58 acres of land near the top of the funicular to the City and County of Denver. The summit of Lookout Mountain provided views of lakes and reservoirs, thousands of square miles of plains and mountains and the cities of Golden and Denver. The park land at the top of Lookout Mountain was covered in forests of silver spruce-pine, quaking aspen, juniper and other varieties of trees. Wildflowers, such as the columbine, harebell, anemone, gaillardia, gilia, Indian pink or paint brush, kinnikinick or bear Mount Morrison, Lookout Mountain and South Lookout Mountain Funicular news berry, Mariposa lily, wild geranium, polemoni- Table Mountain. The remnants are all that’s left clipping um, flax, larkspur, pentstemon and others grew to remind us of the days when tourists flocked to Gardner Family Collection in abundance. They were frequently plucked by the foothills near Golden to ride scenic funicular tourists collecting souvenirs to take back to Den- railways and dance in many-windowed pavil- ver. Many bird species lived in the area includ- ions, glancing outside for views of snowy moun- ing western lark, robin, kingbird, bluebird, blue tain ranges, open fields, lakes and the young cit- jay, magpie, red-headed woodpecker, flicker, ies of Denver and Golden. humming bird, red shafted flicker and western Works cited: night hawk. Tourists enjoyed hiking through the Brochure, Castle Rock Mountain Railway and Park Company Collection (Mini-MSS #791), History Colorado, Denver, CO diverse forest and picnicking among the wild- Brochure, Lookout Mountain Park Funicular Railway Company flowers. Other attractions of the park included a Collection (Mini-MSS #865), History Colorado, Denver, CO Lover’s Walk in an aspen grove and rugged, pre- Brochure, Mount Morrison Incline Collection (Mini-MSS #872), cipitous rocky vantage points, including Wildcat History Colorado, Denver, CO Brown, Georgina, The Shining Mountains, 1976, pp. 197-198; 210- Point and Colorow Point. 211; 220; 220-221; 227 In February 1915, Vidler’s company sold the The City of Denver, Vol. 1 Number 21, August 9, 1913, Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. Colorado State Library. 2,000-acre Lookout Mountain property and the Chronological History of Jeffco—the 1910s, Jefferson County funicular. By 1916, new roads, including the Archives online at http://jeffco.us/archives/chronology/1910s/ scenic Lariat Loop, allowed tourists to drive their Colorado Transcript, Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. own cars up to the summit of Lookout Moun- Colorado State Library: March 19, 1908; June 11, 1908; July 9; 1908; August 6, 1908; Sept. 3, 1908; August 12, 1909; June 4, 1914; tain and further beyond to Genesee Park, one Feb. 11, 1915; June 1, 1916; March 13, 1919; Jan. 8, 1920 of Denver’s Mountain Parks, which had opened Denver Municipal Facts, Vol. 2 Number 38, Sept.17, 2010 in 1913. The funicular made its last climb up Denver Parks and Recreation website, Red Rocks Mountain Park https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver- Lookout Mountain in 1916. In 1919, the Look- parks-and-recreation/parks/mountain-parks/red-rocks-mountain- out Mountain Funicular was auctioned off to park.html#ba082908-57a5-440b-b2a9-648dba7c07c8. pay creditor’s claims. Denver Public Library—Western History Index Golden History Museum, 2011.099.091; 2011.099.472; Ultimately, the funiculars were made obsolete by 2012.010.103 (descriptions) the construction of new automobile roads which Grand Valley News, August 10, 1911, Historic Newspapers allowed people to drive their own cars up into Collection. Colorado State Library. “Program of the Day,” Mount Morrison Incline Collection (Mini- the foothills and beyond. Today, remnants of the MSS #872), History Colorado, Denver, CO dance hall and the funicular structures are still John Brisben Walker, the Man and Mt. Morrison, Sally L. White, visible on Castle Rock, and straight-lined scars Historically Jeffco, Vol. 18, Issue 26, 2005 from the funicular tracks run down the faces of

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Where the Westall wreck really happened By Milly Roeder Third Place, Adult Division, Writers’ Award

believe it is a myth that Billy Westall’s ac- car and he died of his injuries later that night in cident on August 28, 1898, occurred a mile the Buffalo depot. Iwest of the monument that commemorates Ed Haley’s recollection was very similar: his courageous deed. A historic photograph is now used as proof. It may depict an accident at “… engineer Billy Westall was pulling a seven car that site not far down the river from what locals passenger train loaded with some 450 excursionists call “Dead Man’s Curve,” but not Billy Westall’s. on a return trip from the mountains to Denver just That the tragic accident may have happened as the engine rounded a blind curve near Dome near the monument on West Platte River Road, Rock, engineer Westall caught sight of a large pile of formerly known as County Road 96, has been sand and gravel on the track directly ahead, which overlooked. had been washed down the mountain side by a recent rain. … His body was pinned to the ground by the handhold on the right side of the tender. He lived 12 hours, dying in the arms of his foreman. Westall’s last words were: “Tell my wife I was think- ing of her.” I first learned in the summer of 1998 about the wreck of Billy Westall’s locomotive. It seems to have occurred near Dome Rock on the North Fork of the South Platte River 100 years earlier, in 1898. I can picture Westall, standing in his locomotive, how he had carefully moved through Dead Man’s Curve toward the breath taking white rocks on the opposite side of the river. He gently swung to the left, then, like a dance, confidently continued to the right and less than A historic photo Following are the accounts by two men about a mile ahead around the blind curve. Suddenly, shows the assumed site of the Westall William G. “Billy” Westall’s accident in 1899. shock: Past the water tank at his left, where Long wreck; clean straight According to them it most probably occurred Gulch joins the river, the tracks before him are tracks are visible in west of Dome Rock where a blind curve ob- covered with gravel and sand, big enough to stop front of and behind structed the view of a landslide from the inun- the locomotive the train and derail it. Billy cannot slow his loco- without water dated Long Gulch on the tracks. motive to avoid disaster but inadvertently drives coming down from John L. Green recalled: it into the debris. He is caught under the tender the hill behind the and severely injured. He dies several hours later photographer to his On August 28, 1898, the regular train headed for right. Neither a left in the depot of Buffalo Creek, where he was tak- turning curve nor Denver with Engineer Billy Westall and Joe Nichols en by a section work crew. A year later, his com- debris on the track of Pine as Fire Man. There had been some heavy rades from the Ancient Order of United Work- indicates a cause for rain and the gulch near the Dome Rock Water Tank men (AOUW), erected the granite monument the engine to have had flooded and deposited a large amount of sand keeled over. in honor of Billy Westall. We admire it today at Denver Public Library, on the track. Westall knew he couldn’t stop before the roadside west of Dome Rock. Passengers of Western History he hit the sand so he told his fireman to jump and Department that train, who had been on that trip, his col- turned over but the rest of the cars stayed on the leagues and others contributed money to cover track. Westall was injured a section work crew was the expenses. following the train on a motor car with a flat car trailing. Westall was taken back to Buffalo on the

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I remember the monument as it stood about a foot from the water, leaning toward it, and imagine it to have been threatened by rising river waters. Think about it: Fishermen patiently angling for trout and children playing in the shallow water could be hit by stones that fell from the monument leaning over the washed-out grounds. Overgrowing shrubs obscured the monument from being visible to travelers passing by on the road. I was wrong. I did not know about the workings of river waters. I assumed repeated floods would con- tinually inundate and erode the ground; the monument would lose its footings and topple into the water in the near future. I nominated the monument to Colorado’s Endan- gered Places List twice, but it was not eligible. Time passed. In 2012, Frank Reetz, an English teacher at the West Jefferson Middle School, and his students researched the monument again. Several donors provided money; Denver Water, the owner of the edifice and surrounding land approved the relocation of the monument; Colorado Preservation Inc. and Prof. Dr. Bob Schoppe, president of the Denver South Park & Pa- cific Historical Society added their expertise. The students studied the literature, measured and described the monument and its predicament. Then, the monument was moved from its location on the peninsula in the river closer to West Platte River Road. Most of the participants do not seem to have noticed that the river’s waters did not wash away the ground on the foundation of the monument. Contrary to my as- sumption, the river had deposited material between the monument and the river at a distance nearly equal to the 50 feet from the monument to the road. If one walks toward the river from the sitting area where the (Top) The blind curve west of Dome Rock as described by John L. Green monument stood until it was removed, a step about and Ed Haley in the quotation in the text. A snow bank at the end of the road indicates the sharp curve around the rocks at left behind which a foot down indicates the former river bank. A nar- Billy Westall’s train ran into the invisible debris. Unable to slow his train row tunnel through brush leads across material which sufficiently, he caused the accident that was to be fatal to him. the river has deposited during recent years. A thicket (Middle) The “not-so- blind” curve east of Dead Man’s Curve as it turns of willow shrubs lavishly grew toward the water. That right behind the shrubs in the background. If the accident actually took place here, either a fault in the engine or the driver’s ignorance of the tells me that between 1998 and 2011, the terrain tracks behind Dead Man’s Curve and, exhilarated to have managed that evolved into a safer area than it was when I first saw it dangerous stretch, he sped up too fast, leading to the crash. and did not endanger the monument. (Bottom) The site of the water tower ruins at center left (the ruins are not visible because they are too low in the grass). Long Gulch runs behind the In a collection of insightful poems by Mr. Rreetz’ trees from the mountains at left under the road into the river at right. students about their impressions of the river, the ac- Milly Roeder cident is placed about a mile upstream. Shown on

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a historic photograph, If an accident indeed had occurred at this place, the background is not it may have been that the uninitiated locomotive recognizable as the place driver, which I will presume he was, euphoric where the accident is of having navigated Dead Man’s Curve, shifted now said to have hap- into a faster gear up from five miles per hour and pened. On the image, sped into the unknown left curve, where his lo- the tracks are clear, not comotive keeled over to the right. (We all know covered with any kind from driving our own cars on mountain roads of debris, sand or rocks. in the foothills what happens when we approach The picture was provid- a curve too fast, but slow down in time before ed by the Western His- we are thrown out of it.) An unknown but eager tory Department of the photographer—or just a person with a camera— Denver Public Library took a picture, which found its way into the and labeled as the actual photo collection of the Denver Public Library; place of the accident. I and as easily happens after an actual event, the do not believe that the exact time is forgotten and a picture wrongly la- wreck happened there. beled. During the time of more than 100 years The left turning curve is the picture and the wrong caption were reused well visible behind to- repeatedly. Instead of going back to the earlier day’s shrubs stripped of sources by John L. Green and Ed Hadley, just their leaves, not blind as Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi suggested, as early reports describe “La originalidad consiste en volver al origen”, or Long Gulch, a the scene. It is much more plausible that the ac- “originality consists of returning to the origin,” dili- genuine stream cident occurred west of the settlement of Dome gent students and their teacher, as well as other with the capacity to wreak havoc Rock, where Long Gulch is joining the river experts, adopted the doubtful suggestions of after a downpour from the north. The gulch is much wider and fervent specialists. Informational signage at the farther north, rushes longer than the intermittent stream, the alleged site now perpetuates incorrect information. It downhill at West River Road. culprit, which is not noticeable on a modern is doubtful that Billy Westall’s wreck ever hap- Milly Roeder topographic map. Its geographic location allows pened there. And why would a monument be it to collect much more water during a down- erected a mile away from the actual scene of a pour than the little stream. Also missing from tragic event? the historic photo are traces of water coming We all love to listen to good myths tickling our from the hill to the right of the stream through guts, but they must historically be true. I hope the grass and spilling over the tracks. to have brought this story closer to its historical The alleged wreck may well have happened at truth.

a similar place somewhere else. The event took Works cited: place more than 100 years ago. We do not know Green, John L., handwritten and typed account of the Westall how much the terrain has changed since that accident, 1899 Haley, Ed, in M.C. Poor, Denver Daily Times, August 27 and Sept. time, except for the replacement of the rail road 5, 1899 tracks through today’s county road, nor do we Jeffco Students Champion Westall Monument, based on materials know whether the slide rushed from the moun- prepared by Frank Reetz, Historically Jeffco 2014, p. 34-37 tains onto the tracks nearly a mile upstream away Klinger, Tom and Denise, “C & S Platte Canyon Memories and Then Some,” printed in the USA by Johnson Printing, Boulder, CO, 2007, and west from what I believe is the actual site of historic photo p.71 the crash. A similar cloudburst as in 1898 oc- Parris, Rachel, email to Milly Roeder, April 12, 2012, rejection of nomination of Westall Monument to Colorado Endangered Places curred a short time after the Lower North Fork List Fire of March 5, 2012. It, too, poured pebbles Reetz, F., editor, “The Westall Monument Poems,” 2014, Colt Shoe and other debris down Long Gulch, across the Press. West Jefferson Middle School, Conifer, CO 80433 road and into the river. Roeder, Milly, Naming Buffalo Creek,Historically Jeffco. 2011, p. 21

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Lariat Loop historic and scenic byway www.lariatloop.org Information adapted from material written by Carole Lomond, publisher, historian and journalist

he Lariat Loop has been a primary route By the 1920s, Denver had preserved land for Map by Gary Howland for people to connect with natural splen- Genesee, Bergen, Dedisse, O’Fallon, Cor- Tdors, historic treasures, recreation plea- wina, Little and Red Rocks parks. The Lariat sures and geologic wonders since the 1850s. More Loop was the most popular Sunday drive. It than 90 percent of the 150-square-mile designated begins at the Lariat Trail (19th Street) in Gold- “heritage area” is unincorporated. The Lariat Loop en or Bear Creek Canyon (Highway 94) in begins and ends in the only cities that have retained Morrison. authentic historic identities: Golden and Morrison. Golden pioneer William Williams “Cement Pioneer settlers began to benefit from visitors who Bill” built the Lariat Trail, a 4.6-mile switch- came by the 1880s to fish, hike and camp. Some back road up to Lookout Mountain in 1910- summer resorts developed in Morrison, Lookout 14. After Colorado state prisoners improved Mountain, Evergreen and Indian Hills. During the the rugged drive west of Morrison in 1911, American Progressive Era (1896-1916), Denver Bear Creek became Denver’s Municipal Trout visionaries scouted for pristine scenic treasures to Stream. An estimated 303,882 motor vehicles attract tourists. Voters approved the Denver Moun- brought 750,000 visitors through the canyon tain Parks in 1912. to hike, fish, picnic and camp in 1923.

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After the Great Depression Outside Golden City Limits and World War II, “unman- Clear Creek Canyon, called the “Grand Can- aged growth” began to fill yon of the Foothills,” has been declared by the the area. Jefferson County Colorado General Assembly as a “world class voters approved a half-cent scenic land form of magnificent grandeur and sales tax to fund an Open irreplaceable economic, education, cultural, bio- Space system in 1972. By logical, and open space that must be preserved 2016, Jeffco has preserved as historic heritage.” By 2001, more than 6,000 Windy Saddle, Apex, Elk acres had been preserved. Pillars at Lookout Meadow, Lair O’ the Bear, Bear Creek Can- Mount Vernon Canyon 80401 Mountain Road yon, Mount Falcon, and Mathews/Winter Parks (19th Street) The first “Gateway to the Rockies” continues within the Lariat Loop area. entrance to Lariat today as Interstate 70 as the geographic cen- Trail The Lariat Loop was dedicated as a Colorado Golden History Museum ter of the Lariat Loop Heritage Area. There is Scenic & Historic Byway in 2002 and gained an award-winning view of the Continental Di- national status in 2005 as one of “America’s heart vide at the Genesee Bridge, Exit 254, I-70. It and soul.” also offers the best view of the Genesee Buffalo Now is the time to plan your adventure in the Herd. Denver enclosed 160 acres at Genesee for footsteps of Native Americans, pioneers and set- bison and wild elk, which were near extinction tlers. in 1914. Denver continued to expand Genesee Park to total 2,413 aces by 2014. Historic Golden 80401 The First Territorial Capitol of Colorado offers Lookout Mountain Park, the Buffalo Bill Grave city parks, trails and preservation of historic and Museum and the Pahaska Tepee is listed sites. City Hall, 911 10 St., 303-384-8000 as an “irreplaceable American cultural treasure. www.cityofgolden.net Golden.com 987 Lookout Mountain Road, 303-526-0744 www.buffalobill.org. Mount Vernon Country Golden Visitors Center, 10th and Washington Club was established in 1922. avenues, 303-279-3113, www.goldengochamber.org A 22-foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus stands above Mother Cabrini Shrine’s 900 acres Golden History Museums, include the Astor on both sides of I-70. Founder of Missionary House Museum, Clear Creek History Park and the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, She founded an or- Golden History Center. www.goldenhistory.org phanage in Denver and this summer camp for Lariat Trail within the orphans. The Shrine is located off US Hwy 40 mountain backdrop American Mountaineering Center, 10th and 1938 Washington avenues, 303-284-0110, ameri- parallel to with I-70 between Exits 256 and 259. Denver Public Library, canalpineclub.org, www.cmc.org 20189 Cabrini Blvd, Golden 80401 303-526- Western History 0758 www.MotherCabriniShrine.org Lookout Mountain Nature Center, part of Jef- ferson County Open Space, offers exhibits and seminars in a sustainable building. 910 Colo- row Road, 720-947-7600 jeffco.us/open-space/ parks/lookout-mountain-nature-center/ Historic Boettcher Mansion was designed in the American Arts and Crafts style. Open for tours, it is also available for hikes, picnics and special events. 900 Colorow Road, 80401 720-498- 7630 jeffco.us/boettcher-mansion/

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Historic Morrison Picnic in Mt. Vernon After building a home in Canyon 1915 Denver Parks & 1861 that still stands at his- Recreation toric Mt. Vernon Towne, George Morrison purchased 320 acres and filed a plat for the town of Morrison, which has many historic sites. www. town.morrison.co.us/ Historic Evergreen 80439 Morrison Natural History Evergreen is a 120-square-mile, unincorporated Museum, 303-696-1873, www.mnhm.org/246/ territory, including 40 square miles of eastern Morrison-Natural-History-Museum Clear Creek County. The area includes parks The Mount Morrison Civilian Conservation maintained by both Jefferson County Open Corps opened in 1935. It housed the men who Space and Denver Mountain Parks. built the Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Red Rocks Registered places in Evergreen include, Ever- Park. green Conference District; Everhardt/Herzman Red Rocks Park and Ampitheatre Ranch; Hiwan Homestead; and Humphrey House/Kinnikinnik Ranch. Red Rocks Park and Ampitheatre, listed at one time as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Evergreen Lake House, Lake and Dam are main- it is a national historic landmark. redrockson- tained by the Evergreen Park & Recreation Dis- line.com/ trict. www.evergreenrecreation.com/ Discovery Center of Dinosaur Ridge at Red Bear Creek Canyon Rocks Entrance One is a new and friendly visit Beginning at Summit Lake on Mount Evans, of dinosaurs. 303-697-3466, www.dinoridge. many tributaries join Bear Creek. By 1918, org/discoverycenter.html Denver referred to Bear Creek as the Municipal Dinosaur Ridge Trout Stream. Massive dinosaur bones were discovered in 1877 Along the canyon are: by Colorado School of Mines geology teacher Kittredge 80457: and Kittredge Park, part of the Arthur Lakes in the hogback above the town of Morrison. It became a National Natural Land- Cement Bill and Evergreen Park & Recreation District, www.kit- crew building Lariat tredgecivic.org/ mark in 1973. 16831 W. Alameda Pkwy, off Trail C470. 303-697-3466, www.dinoridge.org Golden History Museum Indian Hills 80454: George W. Olinger, Denver mortician, acquired 2,200 acres in 1917 for a summer camp for artists, writers, musicians and dancers. The community center is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. www.indian- hillscolorado.com/ Idledale 80453: This village evolved “From Joy- land to Starbuck to Idledale.” The first homestead was recorded in 1866 at Joyland, four miles west of Morrison. John Starbuck is said to have won Joyland in a poker game. He filed Star- buck plats and donated 11-acre Starbuck Park to Denver in 1916. The area, now called Idledale, is served by Foothills Fire and Rescue.

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Journey of Barlow, Sanderson & Co. by Theodora Ciobanu Youth Essay—First Place lone yellow stagecoach tracks By 1869, Barlow and Sanderson were slicing through it as one might slice across the Missouri sands, focusing their resources on expand- a knife through a stick of soft butter. Apulled by two exhausted, well- ing their routes in Colorado due to It perceptibly cut through the stage groomed horses. The crack of a whip is the steadily rising mining industry. line business; but this company held heard, and shouts of “Giddy up!” echo This was easily accomplished; and in on with perseverance—all the while from the coachman. Inside, a passen- July 1870, the company bought the relocating its headquarters to Buena ger sits patiently, a stack of mail and Denver and Santa Fe stage line and Vista—even though business had goods beside him. A cloud of dust rises renamed it to the Southern Overland reached an all-time low. Additionally, up behind the coach, and the constant Mail and Express. Later that year, they bandits had begun to plague stage- motion of the wheels kicks up small again moved their headquarters—this coaches, which did nothing to help rocks that fly like bullets. time to Denver. the company. Then, in 1884, Sand- Before the brisk expansion of rail- Thus, by the 1870s, this company con- erson sold his Colorado operations roads in the West in the 1870-1880s, trolled the mail route between Denver to the Colorado and Wyoming Stage, this was a common sight. Stage- and Santa Fe and operated a tangled Mail and Express Co. It was the end coaches would carry passengers, mail web of lines that linked the San Luis of an era, an era that had helped bring and freight from town to town; and Valley and the San Juan mountains to prosperity and greatness to Colorado. one of the most famous stagecoach the railroads. This allowed for better Without Barlow and Sanderson, de- companies was Barlow, Sanderson communication throughout Colo- velopment in Colorado would have and Co.—later known as Southern rado, as well as better transportation occurred at a much slower pace, Overland Mail and Express, which for people and goods. Naturally, this which meant that the state that cur- first appeared in 1866. Aside from was a great improvement; so it is no rently exists could have been very dif- Wells Fargo & Co.—now more com- surprise that soon the company was ferent. monly known as Wells Fargo—Bar- the largest stage line in the area. Currently, an original Barlow and low, Sanderson and Co. was the only However, as the Denver & Rio Sanderson stagecoach—which ex- major company operating on western Grande Railroad and the Atchison, perts have deduced is more like a mainlines. As such, one can infer that Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad slowly mud wagon—resides in Monte Vista, this made it extremely important. But shifted into the San Luis Valley, the where it awaits repair and renovation. Bradley Barlow and Jared L. Sand- stagecoach trails had to move con- The Monte Vista Historical Society erson, the founders of the company, stantly as a result. By the late 1870s, hopes to display this stagecoach in a had their sights set on expansion. Barlow and Sanderson Co. was pre- museum, so that people may better When the name first officially- ap dominantly operating between min- understand the history of transporta- peared, the company already had a ing camps in the San Juan mountains. tion in Colorado, as well as to learn route to California and, by 1863, was Here, its stagecoaches were mostly about two entrepreneurs that made a operating a line from Missouri to Kan- used for transporting miners and their dream come to life. sas. In 1866, Barlow and Sanderson’s goods; and while that was vital to the Works cited: dreams of expansion began to solidify economy of Colorado, it was certainly Old West Legends: Stagecoach lines in the American into reality. The company expanded a step down. West. (N.d). Retrieved from www.legendsofamerica. westward, moving their headquarters com/we-stagecoachlines.html The final stretch for the company -be to Junction City, CO. By 1867, the Barlow and Sanderson Stagecoach. (N.d.). Retrieved gan in 1878, with the retirement of from coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/barlow- two tycoons had a number of short Bradley Barlow. The company name and-sanderson-stagecoach routes such as Fort Larned, KS, to was changed to the J.L. Sanderson Leigh, Kathy. (N.d.) Stage Companies. Retrieved from Fort Lyon, CO, and Bent’s Fort to www.genealogyalongtherockies.com/colorado/ and Co. Overland Stage and Express bent/cobestageco.htm Pueblo, CO. The men also decided to Line. However, the railroad contin- change the name to the Barlow and ued its advance through Colorado, Sanderson Co. 16 Historically Jeffco 2016 Wall will record Jeffco judicial history by Bonnie Scudder and Dan Cordova

he Jefferson County Historical Commission (JCHC), working in conjunction with Caren TStanley, 1st Judicial District Administrator, Dan Cordova, Colorado Supreme Court Law Librarian, and Ronda Frazier, Jefferson County Archivist, has undertak- en a project to create a “Judges’ Wall.” It will be complete with photographs and biographical data for former judges dating back to 1862. Currently, pictures of judges with years served on the bench line the walls on the first floor, courtside, of the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Facility; but the listings are incomplete. Careful research, guided by Cordova, will help insure accuracy and completeness. Several of these components will be completed before the end of 2016. The Judges’ Wall Project will be completed in several phases. Photographs of current judges will be featured on the wall to the left of the elevators on the first floor, courtside. Their names and the year they joined the bench will be featured. Biographical data will be collected for these judges but not posted until they leave the bench. Retired and former judges will be featured on the wall to the right of the elevators, court-side. Pictures will be ac- companied by a short biographical sketch. Living judges have provided their own information through a question- naire developed by the JCHC’s work group. This display will be organized chronologically according to date first served on the bench. Jefferson County Earlier retired judges will be researched through the Territory map by Capt. Berthoud 1868 Law Library, Colorado Bar Association, Denver Public Call# G4313 .J4S1 1868 Library, History Colorado, Jefferson County Archives, .B4, 30003399, History Colorado State Archives, newspapers and other sources. Colorado Historical judges, dating back to 1862, will also be featured in chronological order. Their biographical information will be researched through the above sources. The final component will reflect the earliest history of judges prior to 1862. Descendants and friends of former 1st Judicial District The history of the 1st Judicial District will be researched, judges are encouraged to contact the JCHC with informa- documented and presented on the wall facing the former tion, pictures and/or questions related to this project. Please and historical judges. Sketches of three former court- contact Caren Stanley (by Dec. 15, 2016) at 720.772.2741 houses, drawn by Carol Perricone, wife of retired Judge or [email protected] or Dennis Dempsey at Gaspar Perricone, will be part of this display. 303.271.8734 or [email protected].

Historically Jeffco 2016 17 Carol Perricone’s sketches record historic courthouses by Bonnie Scudder

hree pen-and-ink sketches of Jefferson she wanted to draw it in her sketchbook. Her County’s early courthouses will be fea- favorite media are pen and ink, stick and ink, Ttured in the Judges Wall Exhibit on the acrylics and water colors. She particularly enjoys first floor of the Jefferson County Administra- drawing or painting Southwestern United States tion and Courts Facility, Golden, CO. scenes.

Hall of Justice, Drawn by Carol Perricone, wife of then Chief She attended Northwestern University in Evan- a companion Judge Gaspar Perricone, these drawings will be ston, IL, majoring in history and geology. While building to the 1952 Courthouse part of an exhibit that will include pictures of there, she met Gaspar Perricone, also majoring 1965–1993 former judges dating back more than 150 years in geology. He was born in Pueblo and raised in and posters describing the history of the 1st Denver. They later married. The young couple Judicial District of Colorado. spent time in San Francisco, where Gaspar, then Mrs. Perricone has loved to in the US Army, worked for the Army Map Ser- draw since she was a young vice at the Presidio during the Korean War. Car- girl growing up in Evanston, ol worked for the US Army in the Counter Intel- IL. Her grandmother, Flor- ligence Corps. The Perricones moved to Denver ence Warner French, taught where Gaspar studied law, earning in 1956 his at the Art Institute of Chi- degree from the University of Denver. He was cago. Carol grew up loving admitted to the Colorado Bar that year and went the world of art; she was into private practice. fondest of sketching. When Parents of two and grandparents of four, the Per- something fascinated her, ricones lived in their home in south Lakewood for more than 40 years, before moving in 2002 to LoDo. While residing in Lakewood and rear- ing two children, Carol further developed her artistic talents by meeting with other artists and

18 Historically Historically Jeffco Jeffco 2016 2016 hiring teachers who generally ran special classes was a life-chang- for six weeks. Carol’s work has been featured by ing experience for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. both of us. It was Judge Perricone served in the three courthouses very emotional be- sketched by his wife. These buildings included cause these people Courthouse (1877) 1878-1953, 1501 Wash- had lost husbands, ington Ave., Golden; Courthouse (1952) 1953- wives, friends, or 1993, 1700 Arapahoe St., Golden; and the Hall were in the building of Justice 1966-1993, a companion building to when the bombing the 1952 Courthouse. None of these buildings happened. My wife stand today. Courthouse (1993), fondly referred would go in, talk to to as “The Taj,” is the current courthouse. Judge them, hold hands Perricone served there as well. with them, and she is still in touch with Carol, fascinated by the three earlier courthous- them. I’m sure she es, decided to sketch them. She knew all the was a huge help.” judges and decided that this was something special she could do for them. She needed to search Caren Stanley, District Administrator for the 1st The Perricone’s Judicial District, stated, “Mrs. Perricone’s sketch- home in lower for a picture of the 1877 Courthouse. It took her downtown (LoDo) only one month to complete the drawings, and es of the Jefferson County historic courthouses are Denver features another month to have them framed. wonderful renditions of these buildings that served a number of Mrs. our county well.” Perricone’s drawings As a docent for 30 years with the Denver Art and paintings as Works cited: well as several done Museum, Carol specialized in New World and by her grandmother. Native American exhibits. She has also been a Interview with Carol and Judge Gaspar Perricone, June 8, 2016. Here the couple member of the Jefferson County Scientific and Gardner, Richard. Jefferson’s Government Homes, Historically Jeffco stands in front magazine. p. 24-25; 2011. Cultural District and the Denver Cultural Dis- of one of Carol’s www.northwestern.edu/magazine/winter2006/feature/perricone. paintings. trict. She worked for Art Resources, a company html which sold art and provided in the 1980s service extras.denverpost.com/bomb/bomb31.htm as art advisors to big companies, including Stea- rns Rogers and Exxon Oil in Parachute, CO. Courthouse, 1501 One of Mrs. Perricone’s most vivid memories Washington Ave. as wife of a judge occurred in 1997, very soon 1878-1953 after Judge Perricone retired from the 1st Judi- cial District. The trials for the Oklahoma City bombers, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, were scheduled to begin. These very high-profile cases, held in Denver, were broadcast via closed- circuit TV to an auditorium in Oklahoma City, as ordered by Congress and President Bill Clin- ton. Federal Judge Matsch needed someone with great people skills, high integrity and sound judgment to preside in Oklahoma City, answering questions and explaining proceedings. The Perricones lived there in an apartment for nine months during the two trials. Judge Perricone was quoted in an article in the Alumni Magazine for Northwestern University, his and Carol’s alma mater, in Winter 2006, “It

Historically Jeffco 2016 19 Jeffco judicial origins complex, political by Richard J. Gardner

he judicial origins of Jefferson County mally organized Arapahoe County, commission- are a complex, fascinating and remark- ing H.P.A. Smith as Probate Judge and John H. Table saga, involving gold rush politics, St. Matthew as County Attorney. Denver acted grassroots movements, extralegal government, without legislative approval because the legis- competing parallel courts and more. It lature would not convene for several months. takes place all in the space of six years Controversy greeted the new office holders upon before organization of today’s ju- their arrival at Auraria, where people believed dicial districts. The 1st Judicial Smith was Denver’s lackey furnished with blank District, like Jefferson Coun- commissions if he found men of his liking. ty itself, has its roots in these In autumn 1858, the Arapahoe County officials times; and they have long went to the site of St. Charles and established helped define what it has it as Denver, named after the governor. Judge been since. Smith was secretary. The people initially refused Judicial history began in to receive them, but begrudgingly did so out of Jeffco in August 1855 when respect for Gov. Denver. Ultimately Smith came the Kansas Territorial legisla- to be well respected as a lawyer and judge, was ture organized Arapahoe County, secretary of Auraria’s Masonic lodge and cam- which took in today’s western Kansas paigned for Stephen Douglas. St. Matthew ul- The proposed seal of and eastern Colorado in its realm up to the timately became a shareholder of Golden City’s Jefferson Territory. Continental Divide. Presiding over Arapahoe town company. Arapahoe County was never Public Domain County was its Probate Court, with appointed completely accepted as a governmental unit and Judge Allen P. Tibbitts. Although he received most of the time received no recognition outside his commission, no steps were taken to create of the courts. government for Arapahoe County since its terri- On Feb. 7, 1859, the legislature replaced most tory was almost devoid of white men. A separate of Arapahoe County with five smaller counties county organization may have seemed unneces- including Montana, Oro, Broderick, Fremont sary. The legislature attached Arapahoe to Mar- and El Paso, placing today’s Jeffco in Montana shall County “for all purposes, properly cogni- County. However, commissioners sent out to zable in the district court, arising under the laws set them up received even less recognition than of the United States or the laws of the territory Arapahoe County. This failed because the leg- of Kansas.” islature provided inadequate financial arrange- Arapahoe’s status came to the forefront in the ments. Citizens increasingly rebelled against the 1856 election when Ben F. Simmons, a pro-slav- idea of government by Kansas, voting tepidly in ery resident of Leavenworth, was elected to the its elections. Further attempts to use the region Kansas legislature with the aid of 13 votes from to leverage the pro-slavery vote did not help. Arapahoe County. Accusations of election fraud Arapahoe County received little support not Albert Deane immediately commenced, for Arapahoe did not only from the gold rushers, who questioned the Richardson, head of the Montana County even have 13 eligible voters. Simmons was nev- ability of distant Kansas to govern the area, but Commissioners and ertheless sworn in, but served a largely ineffec- most of eastern Kansas as well. The legislature later Senior Editor tive term in the legislature. In 1857 the legisla- nevertheless continued to pass law presuming it of the Western Mountaineer ture included Arapahoe with the northern tier of continued to exist. newspaper in counties in the Kansas 1st Judicial District. With control exercised by Kansas neither popu- Golden City. Public Domain In 1858, news of gold discoveries brought many lar nor effective, citizens of the gold rush region seekers to this area. On Sept. 25, 1858, Gov. organized to create their own government, the James Denver, anticipating rapid settlement, for- provisional government of Jefferson Territory, on

20 Historically Jeffco 2016 Oct. 24, 1859. On Nov. 28, 1859, the legislature nia and had a Washington Avenue divided the region into 12 counties, including store with W.L. Benton. Boyd built Jefferson County, its original boundaries extend- the first private residence in Gold- ing to the 40th parallel on the north, to today’s en and was “patriarch of a pioneer Henderson (then Henderson’s Island Ranch) Golden family.” He was from a on the east and Bear Creek on the south. At prominent Wheat Ridge farming the beginning of December 1859, Gov. Robert family and later became a Jefferson Williamson Steele marked the advent of the Jef- County Commissioner. Asa Smith ferson County Court when he appointed James lived in Golden Gate City and T. McWhirt as President Judge, who on Dec. 5 served in the Jefferson Territorial appointed Eli Carter as court clerk. House of Representatives repre- On Jan. 2, 1860, Jefferson County held its first senting the 15th District. Rhodes was also from Robert Williamson Golden City. McWhirt, Boyd, Smith and Rhodes Steele, Governor election, affirming McWhirt without opposi- of the provisional tion as President Judge, electing Theodore Perry were elected among others for other county of- Jefferson Territory, Boyd and Asa Smith as Associate Judges and J.F. fices on the Miners’ Ticket. Boyd was presented a appointed our first certificate of election on Feb.27, 1860, signed by County Judge in Rhodes as the first County Attorney. McWhirt, 1859. Steele, lived 31, Golden City, was a trader from Pennsylva- Acting Governor Lucien W. Bliss. at Mt. Vernon, Apex and Golden. The legislature met at the Mt. Vernon House. He came to be known as “The Father of Colorado” for his early efforts at governance here. Gov. Steele was recognized in the Jefferson County Hall of Fame in 2002. Public Domain

The Golden Gate City plat, noting its being in Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory, yet recorded in Jefferson County, Jefferson Territory on Jan. 14, 1860. Jefferson County

Historically Jeffco 2016 21 quarters. The District Court was to “have original and exclusive jurisdiction over all matters and suits at law, and in chancery, arising in each county in their respective Districts, except when Justices of the Peace in causes where the demand or cause of action of the plaintiff does not exceed two hundred dollars.” Justices of the peace were elected as town officers rather than county, district or territorial officers. Arapahoe County -fo cused on the region of today’s Arapahoe County, with Denver as county seat, while Mountain County corresponded to today’s Gilpin County. With the original 1st Judicial District, the die was cast that would tend to territorially define it from then onward.

Golden Gate City in Dec. 3, 1859, marked the advent of the 1st Ju- With local courts now presiding over civil mat- 1860, as it appeared dicial District when Gov. Steele signed into law ters at the county and district levels, the question when Alfred Tucker arose of how to try criminal matters. On Dec. disputed its townsite House Bill No. 31, defining the judicial districts claim. It was situated of Jefferson Territory. It stated: 17, 1859, and March 29, 1860, Golden City at the entrance to citizens organized courts on their own, with Rol- Golden Gate Canyon “The 1st Judicial District shall be composed of the lins v. Martiney presided over by Eli Carter with where the Brunel counties of Arapahoe, Jefferson and Mountain, and a verdict of not guilty and People v. Fulsom alias spread is today. there shall be a term of the District Court held in Gardner Family Collection King alias Gregory presided over by James Mac- each month, as follows: In Arapahoe County on the Donald with a verdict of guilty. second Monday in January, A.D. 1860, and on the Gov. William Gilpin, second Monday in each month thereafter; in the To address criminal matters on a continuing basis first Governor of county of Jefferson on the first Monday in January the citizens met on Sept. 1, 1860, and organized Colorado Territory, the People’s Court. Its charge, as reported by the declared the A.D. 1860, and on the first Monday in each month existence of the 1st thereafter; in the county of Mountain on the fourth Western Mountaineer, was “In all cases where any Judicial District on Monday in January, A.D. 1860, and on the fourth party is charged with offenses of a criminal na- August 19, 1861. ture, a meeting of citizens be organized, and a Gilpin County of Monday in each month thereafter, and shall be as- the 1st Judicial signed to the Honorable A.J. Allison.” Judge, Sheriff, and Clerk be chosen, to conduct District is named the trial. Also that eighteen citizens be selected, after him. Alexander J. Allison of eastern Kansas was Chief from whom twelve shall be drawn to sit as ju- Public Domain Justice of the Jefferson Territorial Supreme rymen in the case.” This spontaneous court had Court. He had come west no installed office holders, and the jury would from Noblesville, IN, and deliberate for one day to reach a verdict. Similar struck gold with James A. People’s Courts operated elsewhere in the region. Gray. He was to be paid $2,500 quarterly, which Jefferson County’s courts operated in an order- he likely never received be- ly, efficient and effective manner. The District cause citizens questioned Court tried at least 10 cases through 1860, with the extralegal government’s cases usually resulting in a judgment for the mandate to collect taxes. plaintiff. However, in Judson S. Reed v. Noble The justice would go to Morgan & Co. for attachment, Judge Allison set each county seat as a cir- aside the jury’s verdict and granted a new trial cuit; and if the county had that resulted in dismissal. David Barnhart and no Courthouse then the others v. B.F. Chase erupted into the public spot- County Court would pro- light when Judge Allison wrote an extremely rare vide the District Court its (for any era) letter to the press:

22 Historically Jeffco 2016 “GOLDEN CITY, April 2, ’60. between assault and assault with intent to kill, MR. EDITOR: resulting in their being discharged. For the first time in my life I feel called upon to ap- On Oct. 14, 1860, a citizens meeting was held peal to the Press in a matter purely personal, and after Patrick Dwyer was intercepted on a war- would not do so now, were it not that my character rant for murder from Breckinridge County, as a judicial officer is assailed. Kansas Territory. In this unique case of an extralegal body deciding upon extradition to a legally In a case now pending in the District Court of Jef- sanctioned one, the citizens voted unanimously ferson County, in which one B.F. Chase is defen- to set Dwyer free, citing it as a case of malicious dant, he has reported publicly, and also filed an af- prosecution where an inquest held upon the fidavit for change of venue, on the grounds that he body at the time of death proved death to be ac- had consulted me as attorney in the case and upon cidental, “and under the circumstances the citizens my advice alone he appealed to the District Court, did not consider themselves justified in sending the in which I have the honor to preside. Now the facts man back, and he was set at liberty.” On Oct. 29, are these: The case was appealed Jan. 3 and filed 1860, with rancher and future Jefferson Coun- in the clerk’s office that day; on Jan. 28, I was in ty Sheriff E.W. McIlhany presiding, “Canada Arapahoe and B.F. Chase asked me how he should Charley” Simpson plead guilty to theft and was get a continuance of said cause as he could not safely sentenced to 21 lashes and to leave the country go to trial on account of absence of witnesses; I told within 24 hours, which was done. him that it could be done only by affidavit as provided by law. That, sir, is the extent of my counsel Despite local functioning, tension lay in back- in the care, and that near one month after the pa- ground with these courts and counties of com- The Golden Gate pers were on file in the clerk’s office. And now sir, peting parallel jurisdiction. A flash point came Canyon Road just when a hot dispute arose between Daniel L. Mc- around the bend at permit me to say that I charge Mr. B.F. Chase with the entrance to the being a perjured scoundrel, and villain. Let him Cleery and Alfred Tucker over construction and canyon in 1860, as make the most of it. possession of the Golden Gate Canyon Road. it appeared at the McCleery in 1860 secured possession of a charter time Tucker and Yours respectfully, McCleery fought for for the road by Jefferson County Court, “whose its possession. A.J. ALLISON.” provisions give and grant to him the undisputed Gardner Family Collection Within two days the Court decided in favor of right of possession, occupancy and use.” the plaintiff. The County Court also went into motion, most notably granting Daniel L. McCleery exclusive possession of the road he was building up Golden Gate Canyon. The People’s Court convened for several trials. On Sept. 1, 1860, with Judge McWhirt presiding, in People v. McCleery and Brainard for assault with intent to kill upon Irwin the case resulted in a hung jury which agreed to discharge the prisoners. On Sept.11, 1860, in People v. Linscott and Lamon for horse stealing, the case resulted in a hung jury voting unanimously to sustain the majority for acquit- tal. In this trial, Judge James MacDonald ruled its confessions were “not entirely voluntary” and barred them as evidence. On Sept. 25, 1860, sitting Golden Mayor Daniel L. McCleery and son were put on trial for assault with intent to kill upon August Ingleman, resulting in a jury hung

Historically Jeffco 2016 23 After unsuccessful attempts to make it a free Golden City unanimously upheld the Jefferson road, he expended several thousand dollars to County Court and McCleery’s rights to the road build it himself. Soon multiple parties tried and defied the Arapahoe County Probate Court, through different courts to seize possession of it; calling its decision “a pretended writ from a pre- and on Sept. 10, 1860, Tucker secured a ruling tended court”. from Judge S.W. Wagoner of Arapahoe County Albert Deane Richardson, an editor for the West- Probate Court giving possession to him. The ern Mountaineer in Golden City, had a month battle over the road became so contentious that earlier publicly disputed Judge Pettit’s ruling. as a sitting mayor McCleery stood trial only 15 Richardson, who was one of the commissioners days later for assault with intent to kill over an of Montana County appointed by the Kansas Judge John Pettit, incident directly connected with the road. Judge of the 1st legislature, wrote “This decision is an erroneous Judicial District of Meanwhile in Leavenworth, the seat of the Kan- one; Denver is in Arapahoe county. The Kansas Kansas Territory, sas Arapahoe County, captured Denver fugitive Legislature of 1858-1859, passed a law, cutting up who negated Arapahoe County James A. Gordon went on trial Sept. 17, 1860, Arapahoe County, which embraced all of Western jurisdiction here. before Kansas 1st Judicial District Judge John Kansas, from 50 or 60 miles west of Fort Riley to Public Domain Pettit for the July 22 murder of John Gantz in the summit of the Rocky Mountains) into five new the Louisiana Saloon on Blake Street. Pettit, who counties. The senior editor of this paper was chair- was also Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme man of the board of commissioners sent out by the Court, discharged the prisoner from custody, ruling that the Arapahoe County District Court was without jurisdiction, the offense taking place in Montana County and not Arapahoe County, and there being no functional Montana County. This had a predictable result from citizens; Gor- don was seized and returned to Denver where the citizens tried and executed him. In response to Tucker v. McCleery, Golden City attorney John F. Kirby, who had represented plaintiffs and defendants in both the Jefferson County District Court and People’s Court, wrote in a letter to the Mountaineer that the Arapahoe Dueling ads in the County Probate Court “…according to a decision battle over Golden of the Supreme Court of Kansas, rendered in May Gate Canyon Road, last, and also reaffirmed in the late Gordon case, shown in the same column in the has about as much jurisdiction to try cases in this Western Mountaineer county, as it has to sit upon the Supreme court in on Oct. 11, 1860. A. Washington…Of course Mr. Plaintiff went through Tucker & Company’s ad on top, and A. the farce of a trial, and had the pleasure of seeing Sucker & Co.’s mock rendered in his favor a farce of a judgment.” ad below. “We learn by an advertisement Given the Arapahoe District Court’s supremacy that A. Sucker & Co., over its Probate Court, its decision in Gordon have entered into would definitely serve to jeopardize Tucker. A a copartnership to build a road from war of words commenced in the Mountaineer Golden Gate to the including letters between Thomas L. Golden, Moon. We should after whom Golden City itself was named, and like to take toll at the moon end.” Tucker, as well as ads mocking Tucker’s efforts to -George West subscribe stock to his corporation for the road. Public Domain Citizens’ meetings held in Golden Gate City and

24 Historically Jeffco 2016 legislature to organize Montana County, within A pall was cast over the the limits of which Denver is situated. Upon ar- 1st Judicial District when riving here, and learning the wishes and interests Judge Alexander J. Alli- of the people, the commissioners declined to take the son, while traveling to the first step in the matter, but permitted it to go by states to see his friends default. The law expired by its own expressed limi- with an eye to returning tations, nine months from the date of its passage; after the presidential elec- and of course Denver remains in Arapahoe County, tion, passed away in late precisely as if it had never been passed.” Despite August 1860 at Cotton- this sentiment it was never voiced again, and it wood Springs. TheRocky appears Tucker was the inflection point where Mountain News said “The Jeffco citizens discarded Arapahoe County once Judge was well thought of and for all. here by all classes, and as Tucker had claimed his ranch land on May 30, an impartial officer, and 1859 at the entrance to Golden Gate Canyon a good citizen and gentle- well before the road was built. In further pursuit man he did honor to his of his claim, Tucker published cautionary notic- office here while he chose es towards anyone settling in Golden Gate City, to hold it.” His office The Western as its town site encroached upon his ranch claim. would never be refilled under Jefferson Territory, and his seat remained vacant. Mountaineer’s Golden Gate’s town plat had been recorded in Sept. 27, 1860, Jefferson County on Jan.14, 1860, noting its On Jan. 29, 1861, Kansas became a state, extin- headline on the decision of the location as Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory. guishing all Kansas jurisdiction. For a month, the Arapahoe County However, the law cited by the Arapahoe County gold rush region was legally without a legal sys- District Court District Court voiding Arapahoe County’s juris- tem. Trouble arose in southeast Jefferson County that disavowed diction over the region was passed Feb. 7, 1859. when, after the Justice Court in Mount Vernon its jurisdiction in Colorado. This created the effect of invalidating the record- had assessed a cost in a ruling. Jefferson County Public Domain ings of both the Tucker Ranch and Golden Gate Court found that the party was not in a situa- City as well as the legal claim of Tucker over the tion to pay the cost and issued a decree that the Golden Gate Canyon Road. With the road also cost should be paid by the case’s opposite party, being chartered by the extralegal entity of Jef- Bill Hunt. The Court placed an execution in the ferson County and the town plat recorded there, hands of Sheriff McIlhany to levy upon Hunt’s this all made for the remarkable legal reality that property, which he resisted. The sheriff issued a no party held a federally recognized legal claim warrant against him but failed to gain headway for Tucker Ranch, Golden Gate Canyon Road or using it. The citizens of the Mount Vernon dis- Golden Gate City. trict, along with those of Bergen and Junction, On Oct. 22, 1860, the second election for officers resolved to secede from the provisional govern- under Jefferson Territory took place. McWhirt ment; and on Feb. 15, 1861, formed their own was unanimously re-elected Jefferson County extralegal Ni Wot County. This led Gov. Steele, Court President Judge, with George B. Allen and a citizen of Mt. Vernon, and Jefferson Territorial H.J. Hawley elected Associate Justices. Allen, a loyalists to counter-secede and withdraw to the 35-year-old New York native, was from Arapahoe paper town site of Baden. They converted it to City, Jeffco’s first town. He was an 1858 pioneer the real town of Apex and built the new Apex who surveyed its town site. Hawley was secretary Road up Amos Gulch just north of Jackson Hill. of Golden Gate City’s town company and a ranch- Finally on Feb. 28, 1861, Colorado Territory er whose spread took the acreage between Golden was organized. On June 6, 1861, Gov. Steele and Golden Gate City. The office of County At- by proclamation disbanded Jefferson Terri- torney was not contested in this election. tory and ceremoniously handed the reins over to the newly appointed Gov. William Gilpin.

Historically Jeffco 2016 25 On August 19, 1861, Gov. Gilpin declared the new existence of the 1st Judicial District, to be presided over by Colorado Territorial Supreme Court Chief Justice Benjamin F. Hall. Its original boundaries included all northeast Colorado, with a western boundary at Arapahoe City in Jefferson County, and southern boundary at the parallel of Bradford now in Jefferson County. Jefferson County, now reconstituted with most of today’s borders, was divided among all three of Colorado’s original judicial districts. On Nov. 8, 1861, the Colorado Territorial Legislature for- malized the new districts and based them upon county boundaries as once before. However, Jef- ferson County was no longer in the 1st Judicial District, which was now comprised of Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas, El Paso, Larimer and Weld Judge Christopher Counties. Jeffco was placed in the Second Judi- cial District, comprised of Clear Creek, Gilpin, Munch retires by Bonnie Scudder Jefferson, Park and Summit Counties under Jus- tice Charles Lee Armour. With the re-born Jef- udge Christopher Munch, 1st Judicial Dis- ferson County came the reconstituted Jefferson Jtrict, has retired. Appointed in 1986 by Gov. County Court, now holding jurisdiction over Richard D. Lamm, Judge Munch served 30 both civil and criminal matters. This completed years on the bench, one of the longest tenures in the transition between the original court system the history of the 1st Judicial District. A recep- and Jeffco’s judiciary as it has been known since. tion was held in his honor June 3, 2016, in the Jury Assembly Room at the Jefferson County How Jeffco found its way back to the 1st Judicial Administration and Court Facility. This event District is a story yet to come. was attended by fellow judges, retired judges, Works cited: family, friends and judicial leaders from other Kansas Historical Quarterly, “Kansas Territory and the Pike’s Peak districts. Gold Rush: Governing the Gold Region”, by Calvin W. Gower, Au- tumn 1966. Chief Judge Phil McNulty described Judge Fiftyniners’ Directory, Colorado Argonauts of 1858-1859, by Henrietta Munch as having a brilliant mind, being very E. Bromwell, Denver, 1926. knowledgeable, fair, kind, thoughtful and pa- J.E. Wharton and D.O. Wilhelm, History of the City of Denver From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, tr. Leona L. Gustafson, 1866. tient. He was an “evidence and procedure” spe- Historically Jeffco, Jefferson County Historical Commission, 2011. cialist and a nationally recognized speaker. Par- Western Mountaineer, 12/21/1859, 1/4/1860, 3/7/1860, 4/4/1860, ticularly known for his training and mentoring 7/26/1860, 9/6/1860, 9/13/1860, 9/27/1860, 10/4/1860, of newly appointed judges, Judge Munch was 10/11/1860, 10/18/1860, 10/25/1860, 11/1/1860. often referred to as “The Dean.” He has been Colorado Transcript, 8/4/1904. 1860 Golden City census. credited with making the 1st Judicial District Rocky Mountain News, 11/10/1859, a very highly respected and valued institution. 12/7/1859, 12/21/1859, 5/2/1860, 8/29/1860, 2/27/1861. Judge Munch will now take on the role of “Se- Indiana Daily State Sentinel, 11/30/1859. nior Judge,” substituting for Judges as needed. Jefferson County property records. He will also be featured in the Judges Wall Ex- Colorado Territory Session Laws, 8/19/1861, 11/8/1861. hibit. Historical files of Richard J. Gardner.

26 Historically Jeffco 2016 The Shaffer family of Jeffco’s Shaffer’s Crossing by Carolyn “Carrie” Shaffer First Place, Writers’ Award amuel Albert Shaffer, born March 16, The following summer, as Charlie and Rollo 1840, in Ohio, and Sarah Jane Horn, born rode out toward Muskrat Creek to gather their SDec.13, 1846, in Ohio, were married Feb. horses and colts for branding, they encountered 5, 1863. Samuel farmed with his father during Butch Cassidy again—this time with his gang. the early years of their marriage, but they soon Butch encouraged the boys to leave the area so made their way west. Samuel and Sarah’s first no harm would come to them. seven children—Clara, Sarah, Emma, Rollo, Jo- In 1900, when Charlie was 18, he drove the stage seph, Edgar and Samuel—were born in Ohio. from Sweetwater to Haley on the Beaver Rim. In The next two, Bertha and Charles were born in 1901, the family left Wyoming with 400 head of Illinois; and the last two, Thomas and Bert, were cattle, which they drove to the area of Urmston, born in McCook, NE. The couple homesteaded CO, 35 miles southwest of Denver. This region in McCook, and Samuel worked as a tinsmith later was named Shaffer’s Crossing because it from 1883 to 1889. marked the area on Shaffer’s property where the In 1890, Samuel moved his family to Wyoming. old stagecoach route crossed Elk Creek. As an eight-year-old, Charlie remembered trav- At Shaffer’s Crossing, four of Samuel’s sons (Rol- eling on horseback helping drive their 60 head lo, Charlie, Tom and Bert) worked in the fam- of cattle through Laramie, roughly paralleling ily business, which originally included farming, the Overland Trail across Wyoming. Mrs. Shaf- threshing, milling, cutting railroad ties and trad- fer, along with the younger boys, Tom and Bert, ing horses. When an overabundance of locoweed rode in a covered wagon. At Rawlins, the family Painting of Shaffer’s ended their horse breeding operation, the fam- Crossing turned north and reached Beaver Rim—a place ily turned to running the local store and dance Lori Backes that would be their home for the next 11years. The family managed a ranch on Beaver Creek near Lander, WY. Samuel raised Ham- bletonian horses as well as cattle while also selling meat, hay and grain to Smith-Sher- lock store in South Pass City. The family often entertained travelers from the stage station nearby. One famous visitor to the ranch arrived in a snowstorm and stayed with the family for one week earning his room and board by gathering calves. His name was Butch Cassidy.

Historically Jeffco 2016 27 pavilion. Many early homesteaders danced on olis, WY. Charlie worked for Embar (later Basin) a Saturday night at the Crossing’s round white and Padlock ranches. He homesteaded a place barn, which also served as a Grange hall. The on the upper Cottonwood Creek but was un- little white pavilion had originally been a one- able to secure a deed. He later moved down Owl room schoolhouse known as Urmston School. Creek to Dr. Kelly’s place north of Thermopolis. The store, Shaffer’s Crossing Road Ranch, was Eventually he bought Virgil Rice’s place on the located west of Elk Creek and south of old Colo- creek in March 1927. Charlie and Pearl raised rado 8 road. When the boys grew up, they mar- seven children including Glenn, Dean’s father. Carrie Shaffer ried and settled in this valley. Charlie married Due to poor health, Charlie was forced to sell Nancy Pearl Renfro on Feb. 20, 1906, in Den- the ranch in 1950. He died Oct. 10, 1973, at ver. Charlie and Pearl lived at Shaffer’s Crossing Thermopolis. from 1906 to 1907. Samuel and Sarah remained at Shaffer’s Crossing In 1907, a famous altercation between two Shaf- until their deaths. Samuel died Nov.14, 1915, at fer boys and a timberman made several newspa- Shaffer’s Crossing. Both Samuel and Sarah were pers in the Golden and Pine districts. In August buried in Nebraska. After Samuel’s death, the 1907, Grant McQueary, a timberman, came to ranch was sold. the ranch and accused Charlie Shaffer of steal- In the 1930s Shaffer’s Crossing boasted a garage, ing railroad ties belonging to him. Charlie told sawmill, church, general store, blacksmith and him that Bert had brought in some ties and if numerous ranches and farms. The farms raised McQueary wanted them, he could take them. peas, lettuce, potatoes and beans, which were Bert came out from the house and McQueary sold locally and in Denver. Larger farms raised accused Bert, called him “vile” names and at- hay and wheat. Colorado 8 was paved in 1937, tacked him with an iron pipe. Bert ran into the and many buildings at the Crossing were demol- house to fetch his rifle. Charlie took the gun ished. The road ran through the center of town, away from Bert and leaned it against a fence. bisecting the swampy fertile pasture land which McQueary continued the fight with the pipe, the Shaffer family had so loved. Most of what whereupon Bert seized his rifle and shot his as- remains from the original town now sits south sailant “dead in his tracks” (excerpts from Golden of Highway 285. News, Thursday, Aug. 29, l907). Bert was acquitted after a trial was held in Golden. The verdict During the Thirties and Forties, the Crossing was stated, “Said shooting was done by Shaffer in the home to a famous jazz band leader, Isham Jones. necessary defense of his life.” The witnesses to Jones earned national recognition as a musician the tragedy were Charlie and Pearl Shaffer and a and leader of “Isham Jones’ Juniors.” After retir- 13-year-old boy working on the ranch. Feelings ing to a ranch at Shaffer’s Crossing, Jones com- about the incident were emotional, and many in posed the popular hit, “It Had to Be You.” Many Pine District were dissatisfied that the trial was jazz greats visited and played at Shaffer’s Cross- held in Golden. However, Sheriff Whipple stating in the mid 1930s including blues superstar, ed that it would have been impossible to secure Woody Herman. Jones and Herman formed a an impartial jury in Pine District. band billed as “The Band that Plays the Blues.” Although Bert was acquitted, Samuel sent his Thus, the legend lives on with memories of two boys away in order to prevent a feud be- struggling pioneers, feuding families and even a tween the Shaffers and the McQuearys. Bert few stars—all who graced the land that still bears went to Washington, and Charlie moved to Ne- the name, “Shaffer’s Crossing.” vada. Charlie became stable boss for the railroad In 1996, Carrie Shaffer wrote the story Shaffer’s Crossing, Colorado at Beese. Urged by his brother Rollo, foreman at as a gift for her husband, Dean Raymond Shaffer. She also commis- sioned a painting of Shaffer’s Crossing from local artist, Lori Backes, the Embar Ranch west of Thermopolis on the Bailey. Dean is a grandson of Charlie Shaffer, seventh child and fifth north fork of Owl Creek, Charlie moved in De- son of Samuel and Sarah. Carrie and Dean have a home in Foxfield, cember 1907 by railroad and stage to Thermop- CO and a farm in Thermopolis, WY.

28 Historically Jeffco 2016 Shaffer family returns to Shaffers Crossing by Bonnie Scudder

n 1902, the Samuel and Sarah Shaffer fam- As Samuel was in his early 60s when ily arrived from Wyoming and began to he arrived in this area, most of his Idevelop the Shaffer Ranch in a small town children already had families. Charles, named Urmston in the Elk Creek Valley. This Thomas and Bert were still living at ranch would grow to 1,080 acres of land. A home when the family moved to Colo- few years later, Samuel put up a sign that said rado. Charles married Pearle Renfro in “Shaffer’s Crossing,” marking the spot where the 1906; they resided on the ranch until stagecoach road crossed Elk Creek. From that late 1907, when Charles and Bert left, time on, the area has been known as Shaffer’s following the unfortunate incident Crossing, a name that continues today although resulting in the death of neighbor, the apostrophe is no longer used. Another 360 Grant McQueary. (See Carrie Shaffer’s acres of land, a bit to the north on Elk Creek description of this incident in the ad- Road, was owned by several of Sam Shaffer’s joining story about the Shaffer family.) children. This land was later a part of the Davis Samuel and Sarah both died in 1915 at Shaffer’s Samuel and Sarah Ranch, sold in 1999 to Colorado to become part Crossing. The Shaffer Family lived in the Elk Shaffer, circa 1900 Shaffer Family Collection of Staunton State Park. Creek Valley from 1902 until 1920, when the estate was settled and all of the properties had Shaffer family land holdings 100 years ago been sold. Samuel and Sarah were parents to 11 children— seven sons and four daughters: Clara, 1864; Shaffer’s Crossing Sarah, 1866; Emma Alice, 1869; Rollo, 1871; Road Ranch, circa Joseph, 1874; Edgar, 1876; Samuel Otis, 1877; 1905. Bertha, 1879; Charles, 1882; Thomas, 1885; Littleton Museum Collection (May not be and John Albert, 1889, who was known as Bert. reproduced in any form without permission of the Littleton Museum.)

Historically Jeffco 2016 29 Sha er’s Crossing

E lk C Joseph Shaffer (1908-1919) was adjacent to Rol- re ek 285 Rd. lo’s land. Rollo’s 40 additional acres later became part of a housing development when Gov. Roy Romer acquired these 40 acres high on Conifer Mountain in 1971.

Sha er Holdings Rollo Shaffer sold his land to Charles Hurlbutt Samuel Sha er in 1920. Rees T. Davis bought this property Clara Sha er Robinette, and the rest of the Hurlbutt Ranch—700 more Rollo Sha er acres—in the early 1930s. In 1999, most of the Joseph Sha er Davis Ranch became part of Staunton State Charles Sha er Park. Shaffer history vignettes Some interesting quotes from old papers relevant to the early Shaffers include: “Quite a number of Colorado and Eastern capi- Section map The Jefferson County Archives include large talists are buying homes in the mountains of this indicating Shaffer country…. S.A. Shaffer, a Wyoming capitalist, is land holdings Land Books that show property ownership by Jefferson County Range-Township-Section. Shaffer family land buying up farms on Elk Creek, building reservoirs and lakes, and it is his intention to build a Land Map Township holdings are evident in Range 71, Township 7, 7: 1908 (top right) Sections 5-8 and in Township 6, Sections 29, large natatorium for the public.” Jefferson County Archives 31-32 in 1908. Three-hundred twenty addition- “We hear that S.A. Shaffer had the misfortune al acres in Township 6, Sections 20, 29 and 30 of losing his best horse, caused by drowning in were later acquired by Shaffer children. Elk Creek.” In order to understand exactly where the Shaffer “Rolla (sic) Shaffer of Shaffer’s Crossing, is lands were a century ago, in relation to Highway grinding a big load of grain for feed at Huebner’s 285 and Elk Creek Road, topographical maps reed grinder.” were studied. Samuel and Sarah’s land was mostly south of the present Highway 285. North of “S.A. Shaffer has put up a saw mill at Shaffer’s the highway in Staunton State Park are 280 acres Crossing, and Dow & Son have moved their once owned by Clara Shaffer Robinette and mill three miles north of old Conifer.” family (1914-1919), then Rollo and Lila Shaf- “Thomas Shaffer and Winifred Williams, both fer (1919-1920). The 40 acres homesteaded by of Conifer, were united in marriage at the Craw-

30 Historically Jeffco 2016 ford House in this city (Golden) last Thursday up the hill was afternoon, Rev. Allan J. Hoar, of Creswell, of- a big double ficiating. Several Denver and Arvada friends and horse corral. relatives of the young people came up to witness Mr. Green and the important ceremony.” Mr. Elwood shared a small In 1953, Charles B. Shaffer described Shaffer’s two-room Crossing in the 1900s to his daughter, Mable. cabin about 50 “There was no Post Office in the store. Mail came yards south of up by horse and buggy from Pine. A route came the store.” up Elk Creek with mailboxes by the crossroads “On the southeast side, across from the road on the north side of the creek. The stage coach Logging with the from Samuel’s store, was the dance hall and the Shaffer and Long came from Morrison up Turkey Creek through saw mill was about 50 yards due south of the Families at Shaffer’s Conifer and on to Evergreen. This was the main Crossing, circa 1905 dance hall. The Church was on the northwest highway over Berthoud Pass. The railroad came Long Family Collection side of the creek near the mail boxes. Dr. Daw- up the South Platte River from Denver to Pine son’s office / drugstore was slightly northeast of and on to Bailey. It did not pass right by the the church, and Nick Cruse’s house was north ranch as it was about halfway between Conifer of the church also. Charlie Tappan’s blacksmith and Bailey.” shop was south of the church. Tom’s house was “The buildings of Shaffer’s Crossing: Sam and across the road on the northeast side.” Sarah’s Ranch (stables, corrals, store and house) Margaret Bentley, in her book The Upper Side of sat on the southwest corner of where the stage- the Pie Crust, 1978, wrote a chapter entitled Shaf- coach road crossed Elk Creek. The store was fer Family. The information was obtained from right in front of the house. They served meals to Rollo Shaffer, Jr., who was at that time working travelers and a few stayed overnight but they did as a miner in Climax and living in Leadville, CO. not make a practice of renting rooms.” In his late fifties, Rollo, Jr., traveled to the Philip- “Samuel and Sarah slept downstairs and the pines to meet his bride. According to Mrs. May children slept in rooms upstairs. The stables Long, the Shaffers resided in Leadville and had a were north of the store and about 50 yards west beautiful little daughter. Rollo, Jr. died in 1984.

Shaffer’s Crossing, circa 1916 Long Family Collection

Historically Jeffco 2016 31 to the park entrance on Elk Creek Road. Most of this land is a meadow where deer and elk still visit. The ruins of a small stone house can be seen in the distance. Catherine Hurlbutt, in her memoir, related that her father had “bought a small piece of land with a house on it, known as the Shaf- fer place….” Park volunteers sometimes lead a Mystery History Hike to the old stone house near Mason Creek. This could have been the Shaffers’ house. Did they build it, or was it already there? Did people live in it? There is no evidence of a fireplace. Did it serve other purposes? The Davis family had heard that it was once a Pony Express stage stop, but that’s unlikely as the route never Stone house ruins Rollo, Jr., related some of the early stories about ran through this area. in Staunton State the struggles of ranching and farming in the Elk Park. Park volunteer Several housing developments now exist on Mary Beth Carpenter Creek Valley. The Shaffers farmed, threshed grain former Shaffer land. The western part, north leads hike for Shaffer and ran a saw mill. Hired hands cut railroad ties; of the highway, was sold in small parcels, often family in 2016 and Rollo, Sr., hauled the ties to Pine (Grove). Carol Phelps, Staunton five acres, for summer cabins or picnic areas in State Park volunteer Bentley described a serious obstacle faced by the 1930s. In 1955, Mountain View Lakes was the Shaffer Family, “A problem Shaffers did not platted into even smaller parcels; and more cab- know about, but learned the hard way, was lo- ins and homes were built in that area. Douglass coweed. The term loco’ in Spanish means crazy, Ranch, located just past Elk Creek Elementary affecting the minds of animals that eat too much School, southeast of the highway, is a much new- of the weed. The plant absorbs barium from the er development, with larger lots and big homes. soil which acts as a narcotic on animals. There Three roads off the east side of Elk Creek Road are several varieties of locoweed. The purple one and south of the highway, give access to homes named Lambert’s Loco is one of the most beau- in Glen Acres and Evans View Acres. Some of tiful wildflowers. Rollo, Jr. explained that cows these were on Shaffer property. As mentioned have no upper teeth in front and gum off the before, the northeastern 40 acres that once be- top of the plant where the poison is less potent. longed to Rollo are part of the Conifer Moun- If one knows how, cows can be treated; but tain Development. This land is at a much higher horses crop closer to the ground, and thus the elevation, approaching 10,000 feet. poison affects them faster. They had one pasture North of the Crossing is the property known with locoweed that did not bother the animals, as the “Fish Ponds,” where generations of chil- since the soil did not have much barium. Shaffer dren have proudly caught their first fish. Part told that locoweed put the Shaffers out of the of this land was part of the Shaffer Ranch. Old livestock business on any large scale at Shaffer’s Highway 8 was a two-lane dirt road prior to the Crossing, although at one time, nearly all of the completion of Highway 285. A portion of this horses in the area carried the TS brand.” Debo- road, complete with the original cement bridge, rah Darnell offers an expanded explanation of is now named Fish Pond Lane. Four fish ponds locoweed in her accompanying article, Colorado provide trout-fishing opportunities during Locoweed. warmer months. The ponds weren’t there 100 Shaffer land status in 2016 years ago. Staunton State Park now includes 320 acres of The Elk Creek Sand and Gravel Co. can be land previously owned by Joseph, Rollo and Lila found on the southeast corner of Shaffers Cross- Shaffer and Clara Shaffer Robinette. This prop- ing. This enterprise, which has been chipping erty is in the southeast section of the park close the mountain for decades, was part of the Shaffer

32 Historically Jeffco 2016 Ranch. In 2015, the Archdiocese of Denver pur- Many Shaffer descendants still live chased 250 acres of land for a large retreat center on ranches and farms in Wyoming. west of Elk Creek Road. The six-sided “octagon Charles and Pearl Shaffer settled building” and a very old white barn still stand near Thermopolis, WY, and estab- on this property, which was part of the Shaffers’ lished a ranch and farms in the area. holdings 100 years ago. The family home, store They had eight children. and Episcopal-Methodist Church are long-gone. It was largely Charles and Pearl’s Shaffers Crossing: Important to grandchildren and their descendants transportation for many decades who attended the July 22-24, 2016, reunion in Colorado. According to Ray Shaffer, Dean Shaffer shares Shaffers Crossing on Elk Creek has its roots in his grandfather Charlie used to gather all of his the family history history from the first trails made by the deer, at Shaffer Family grandchildren around him to share stories of his elk and, perhaps, buffalo, to later use by Native Reunion 2016 parents’ ranch at Shaffer’s Crossing. This group Americans following their food source. As stage Carol Phelps of cousins developed close ties to each other, coaches arrived carrying people, supplies and which remain today. mail to the gold camps further west, the road grew wider. Small settlements and towns sprang Reunions have played an important role for de- up. Elk Creek Road came into being well be- cades in the Shaffer family. As great-grandchil- fore 1900. In the late 1800s, this area had been dren, their children and grandchildren eagerly known as Willowville, Belleville and finally Ur- anticipated a return to the Elk Creek Valley— mston before the arrival of the Shaffer family in Shaffers Crossing, stories were collected and 1902. shared. Ray Shaffer, a rancher in Thermopolis, stated that around 120 Shaffer descendants at- A narrow, dirt road gave way to Colorado High- tended the three-day event. Dean Shaffer shared way 8, which then was widened and paved in the the family history while descendants of all ages late 1930s and renamed Highway 285. In 2011, listened attentively. Nancy Verthein, who resides a major road-widening and interchange project in Indiana, brought a large, impressive scrap- was completed at Shaffers Crossing. book collection consisting of extensive Shaffer Unfortunately, the name “Shaffers Crossing” is genealogical records, photographs and other frequently heard today in “transportation-relat- memorabilia. The family rented the Group Pic- ed” news stories as it is a location of frequent nic Area in nearby Staunton State Park for its traffic accidents. This has prompted the Colora- main gathering on July 23. do Department of Transportation to install wire A tour of the old Shaffer Ranch, currently owned highway barriers, to provide additional signage by the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver, was also and to reduce speed in this area. This junction on the agenda. Family members were able to go is relatively steep with poor visibility as one is inside the “octagon” building, which actually has coming around a descending mountain curve. only six sides. They also visited the old cemetery Highway 285 is now quite busy. near Pine Junction, where Rollo and Lila Shaffer Shaffers return to Elk Creek Valley are buried. Staunton State Park volunteers and It is appropriate that the Shaffer Family held several members of the nearby Conifer Histori- its reunion in Colorado. Shaffers Crossing has cal Society joined the large family at Staunton been the name of an important intersection for State Park, serving as hosts and tour guides. more than 100 years. It now sports an impressive Some family members went on a Mystery History overpass, which opened in August 2011 prior Hike to the old stone house ruins in the park. to the opening of Staunton State Park. To get This was a special treat as this hike was mostly to the park, one must exit at Shaffers Crossing. on land once owned by Shaffers. The group had The Shaffer family has grown in the past 100 the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful amenities plus years, from a family of 13 to seven genera- and walk upon some of the land that was owned tions of descendants numbering well over 500. by three of the Shaffer children a century ago.

Historically Jeffco 2016 33 Prior to the reunion, Shaffer descendants purchased copies of two local history books which mentioned Colorado Locoweed their Shaffer ancestors. David Nelson’sElk Creek (Oxytropis lambertii) Chronicles: Shaffers Crossing to Pine Grove and Bon- by Deborah Darnell nie Scudder’s The Secrets of Elk Creek: Shaffers Cross- ing, Staunton State Park, and Beyond. The books pro- ow could the vide some information about the Shaffer family and Hoverabun- dance of locoweed its important contribution to the history of the area. bring an end to Shaffers Crossing, aka Shaffer’s Crossing, has sur- Samuel Shaffer’s vived the test of time and likely will remain the name horse breeding op- of this important junction for many years to come. eration as shared by In reviewing references to this place, it was often re- Carrie Shaffer in her article? ferred to as Junction, Colorado on early postmarks or as The Crossing. It is often referred to as Pine Junc- It turns out that locoweed is the most wide- tion, which is actually two miles further southwest spread problematic poisonous plant in the on Highway 285. The apostrophe, somehow, was western United States. Locoweed can cause an animal to go “loco or crazy,” and the plants are lost; and current road signs do not use it. Apostrophe addictive to some animals. Some locoweeds or not, Shaffers Crossing is an area known to many; produce swainsonine, a phytotoxin harmful to it serves as the access to Staunton State Park and also livestock. Horses, cattle and sheep can die when to the old Buck Snort Saloon in historic Sphinx Park, they over eat this beautiful but deadly native several miles south down Elk Creek Road. wildflower. Elk and deer have also been affected. The people of Shaffers Crossing, Pine, Jefferson The first technical account of this problem was County, Colorado, pay tribute to Samuel A. and published in 1873. By 1909 it was known that Sarah Shaffer who gave their name to this place more there was a toxin in locoweed but it was origi- than 100 years ago. We welcome their many descen- nally thought to be barium. It was not until 1979 that swainsonine, a phytotoxin, was iso- dants back home. lated and proven to be the cause. The medical Works cited: condition is known as swainsonine disease or Bentley, Margaret V. The Upper Side of the Pie Crust: An Early History of locoism. Southwestern Jefferson County… Conifer, Pine, Buffalo Creek, Colorado. Colorado locoweed (Oxytropis lambertii) is the 1978. plant most often associated with this problem. Nelson, David P. The Elk Creek Chronicles: Shaffers Crossing to Pine Grove. 2011 Its distribution in western North America is in Scudder, Bonnie E. The Secrets of Elk Creek: Shaffers Crossing, Staunton the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains. In State Park, and Beyond. 2013. Colorado it grows from the plains to the sub- Jefferson County Archives: Ronda Frazier, Archivist. alpine and flowers between April and August. Descendants of Websites:https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/; http://maps. This magenta-colored wildflower can be found Samuel and Sarah jeffco.us/?map=aspin in Staunton State Park growing along the slopes Shaffer at Staunton A special thanks to Dean Shaffer, who provided much of the State Park 2016 of Davis Ponds, Staunton Ranch and lower Ma- information on the Shaffer Family, and to Ray Shaffer, who organized son Creek trails. White loco (Oxytropis sericea) Carol Phelps the 2016 Shaffer Family reunion. which can be found in South Park, also contains the toxin. There are other species which are commonly known as locoweed; however, they do not produce swainsonine. Locoweeds can also be high in selenium which is absorbed from soils. Selenium toxicity or alkali disease is especially associated with drought years. It can be confused with swainsonine poisoning since both can be caused by livestock eating quanti- ties of Colorado locoweed.

Deborah and Jack Darnell lead the Staunton State Park Vol- unteer Plant Team.

34 Historically Jeffco 2016 Mary Coyle Chase’s Jeffco mountain home integral to Staunton State Park by Bonnie Scudder lthough the Staunton Ranch was do- much of the beautiful ranch. nated in 1986 to the State of Colorado, To the south of the Chase A the 1,720 acre parcel was basically land- property was a 1,000-acre locked. Entrance was through Upper Ranch ranch built by Charles and Drive, a narrow, dirt road that bordered the Elk Armelia Hurlbutt, but at that Falls Ranch subdivision and part of the Davis point, it had been owned by Ranch. Additional acreage was necessary so that R.T. and Lucy Davis for near- the park could have an entrance and space for ly 40 years. visitors to park and, eventually, to camp. Mary Agnes McDonough More than 1,100 acres of the Elk Falls Ranch, Coyle was born Feb. 25, just west of Staunton Ranch, and nearly 900 1906, in Denver and died acres of Davis Ranch, to the south of Staunton Oct. 20, 1981. She grew Ranch, were purchased through Great Outdoors up in West Denver’s Baker Colorado (GOCO) and lottery funds. This large neighborhood, graduating acquisition included Elk Falls and Lion’s Head, at age 15 from West High School. She studied Mary Coyle Chase two prominent features in Elk Falls Ranch. The classics at the University of Denver, and then Wikipedia (GFDL) Davis Ranch section includes ponds and won- began her career as a journalist with the Den- derful pasture lands suitable for a park entrance, ver Times, which later merged with the Rocky parking lots and eventually camping. Mountain News. In 1928, she married Robert However, there were two 80-acre parcels that Lamont Chase, also a reporter. She left the Rocky were privately owned but surrounded by the Mountain News in 1931 to write plays, to be- expanded park. To access the Staunton Ranch, come a freelance reporter and to raise a family. cabins and Elk Falls, a very long and difficult The Chases had three sons—Michael, Colin and hike around these two properties was necessary. Barry Jerome “Jerry.” Michael, 83, and Jerry, 78, In 2006, two sons of Mary and Robert Chase had careers relating to the theater. Colin, an edu- sold their 80 acres and two homes to the state. cator, died in 1984. Acquisition of this property provided the necessary access, and the park system was able to pro- ceed with the development of the infrastructure and trail system. On May 18, 2013, Staunton State Park opened to the public—27 years af- Staunton Ranch ter the gift of the Staunton Ranch. In December Elk Falls Ranch 2014, the last 80-acre parcel, the Dines property and home, was acquired.

Robert and Mary Cole Chase purchased 80 acres Dines with a small cabin from Rudolph and Mildred Chase

Paulson in 1971. The Paulsons sold their remain- Davis Ranch ing 80 acres the same year to Colorado State Sen.

Allen Dines and his wife, Audrey. To the north El k C ree of these two parcels was the 1,720-acre Staunton k R oa Je erson County Ranch, owned by Miss Frances Staunton, 72, County Park d the daughter of Doctors Archibald and Rachael Sha ers Staunton who 50 years earlier homesteaded 285 Crossing

Historically Jeffco 2016 35 Mrs. Chase wrote was likely on the property when the Chases pur- a number of chased it. The cabin, in a secluded area, has an plays. She was outhouse, a small pond in front of the porch and best known for incredible views. Further to the east is a larger her play, “Har- home built in 1973 in a chalet style. Mrs. Chase vey,” for which and her family lived in the chalet, which also of- she was awarded fers beautiful views to the south. The Staunton the 1945 Pulitzer Ranch Trail passes near the chalet. Prize for Drama. Mrs. Chase won the Pulitzer Prize before her Chase was Colo- family owned this property. She continued writ- rado’s first Pulitzer ing plays after the chalet was built, so perhaps Prize winner. Her she may have found this setting very conducive mother, Mary to creativity, though maybe not. In addition to McDonough her plays, Mrs. Chase also wrote two children’s Coyle, was an stories and had three film adaptations. Her two immigrant from plays written after 1971 were “Cocktails with Londonderry, Ul- Mimi” and “The Terrible Tattoo Parlor.” She was ster, Northern Ire- working on a musical adaptation entitled “Say land. Mary grew Hello to Harvey” in 1981 when she suffered a up hearing tales heart attack at her Denver home. She died at the Cabin and chalet on about leprechauns from her relatives. These sto- the property age of 75 and is buried with her husband, Rob- ries helped develop her imagination for the plays ert, in Crown Hill Cemetery, Wheat Ridge, CO. Scudder collection she would write, according to Jeanne Varnell, author of “Women of Consequence: The Colo- Shortly before her death, Mary Coyle Chase was rado Women’s Hall of Fame.” Varnell described interviewed by CBC Journalist, Sheila Shotton. how Mrs. Chase had observed a woman at a When asked about “Harvey,” Chase replied, bus stop in the early 1940s. The woman had “Harvey is not a play about a drunk otherwise worked so hard putting her only son through it wouldn’t have succeeded and survived the way college, only to have him killed in World War II. it has…. Harvey is or turns out to be somewhat Chase became obsessed with writing something of a religious experience for the audience, which that was so funny that the woman would laugh is why it works. It accomplishes a change and again. So for two years, she wrote and rewrote a shows the influence of a … change in people’s play. She had “remembered her mother’s tales of attitude. And the reality of Harvey is achieved the pooka, a fairy in the shape of an animal that through the humanity of Elwood.” could only be seen by an owner that believed in The play, “Harvey,” opened Nov. 1, 1944, on pookas.” Her pooka at first was a six-foot canary; Broadway and was a smash hit, running for 4 Chase gravestone later, the pooka became a six-foot rabbit named ½ years. It was the sixth longest running play, Ginny Michaels Harvey. Chase wrote 15 plays, most with at least with 1,775 performances. In 1950, “Harvey” one imaginary was made into a Universal Studios film starring character. Jimmy Stewart as Elwood P. Dodd. Chase col- There are two laborated in writing the screenplay. Josephine homes on the Hull won an Academy Award as Best Supporting former Chase Actress for her role in the movie. The movie was property. One is quite popular and is available today on DVD. small cabin with In 2009, Steven Spielberg announced he was a large porch that planning to remake “Harvey.” He abandoned recently has been the project when he was unable to find an ac- updated. This is a tor willing to play the leading role. Stewart was chink cabin that a beloved, iconic star, and a very difficult act to

36 Historically Jeffco 2016 follow. “Harvey” has been a popular play for decades. The DVD is the most popular item to purchase in the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, PA, Stewart’s hometown. Mrs. Chase received other honors. In 1947, she received an honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Denver. In 1985, the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame inducted Chase along with Golda Meir, Molly Brown and Mamie Eisenhower. In 1999, she was inducted into the Colorado Perform- ing Arts Hall of Fame along with Glenn Miller and Douglas Fair- banks. Mrs. Chase knew Frances Staunton. The two women were close in age and enjoyed spending time together. The Chase’s beautiful property was sold to the state 25 years after Mrs. Chase’s death. Three park trails—Staunton Ranch Trail, Chase Meadow Trail, and Davis Ponds Trail— have been developed. They cross the Chase property. A part of the Davis Ponds Trail has been named “The Pooka Loop” in honor of Harvey. The Pooka Loop Interpretive Trail Hike and brochure, developed by volunteers Deborah and Jack Darnell, help visitors learn the ecology of the area. This part of the trail is on the former Chase property. The boundaries of the park are complete with no private land inside park boundaries. Like the Staunton Ranch, the Dines and Chase properties, along with the Davis and Elk Falls Ranches, Additional research on Chase on internet included: Poster for “Harvey” will be enjoyed by everyone for many, many www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page starring Jimmy Stewart as Elwood P. years! The legacy of Mrs. Chase and Harvey enotes.com/topics/mary-chase Dodd (top) continues. On Dec. 5, 2015, a float entered by marycoylechase.com/act.one2/ doctormacro.com Staunton State Park took “Best of Parade” in the marycoylechase.com/act.two/ Staunton State Park www.bard.org/Education/studyguides/Harvey/harveyplaywright 33rd Annual Conifer Christmas Parade with its winning Christmas theme—“Harvey Yourself a Merry Little Christ- www.nytimes.com/1981/10/23/obituaries/mary-chase-74- float starring Harvey playwright-who-wrote-harvey (bottom) mas.” en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Chase_(playwright) SSP Volunteers Works cited: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_(play) Bonnie E. Scudder, The Secrets of Elk Creek: Shaffers Crossing, Staunton State Park, and Beyond. Elk Creek Publishing, Pine, CO, 2013.

Historically Jeffco 2016 37 Golden Transcript: 150 years of all the news by Richard Gardner

his year the Golden Transcript reaches its called “Boston Company”—and headed west. 150th milestone, a momentous achieve- Arriving in Denver on June 10, 1859, West, Tment in the history of Colorado jour- Mark Leonardo Blunt and William Sumner nalism. The oldest media outlet of the Denver were immediately hailed by Tommy Gibson of area, the Transcript is Colorado’s second oldest the Rocky Mountain News and helped print its publication after the Weekly Register-Call, Black first “Extra” edition, featuring Horace Greeley’s Hawk, and is only the second to ever reach 150 reports of the gold fields that helped set the rush years. Throughout it all, the newspaper has never into full boom. Arriving at today’s Golden valley missed an issue, publishing continuously longer on June 12, West and company members helped than any publication in Colorado history. found the city on June 16, 1859. The Boston The founder of theTranscript , George West, be- Company believed the location ideal, with West gan at his native Claremont, NH, in 1840 as a stating, “Travelers and supplies bound for the “printer’s devil” at age 14 for the National Eagle. diggings are forced to use the canyons as high- There he washed presses, swept out and did er- ways and our town is right at the crossroads.” rands. In 1844 he completed his apprenticeship They celebrated Independence Day by laying the at the Boston Cultivator. Becoming a skilled cornerstone of their store, Golden’s first building. printer, West then worked at the Boston Tran- On Dec. 7, 1859, the Boston Company printed script, learning to be a writer, compositor, make- the first issue of the Western Mountaineer, Gold- upman, pressman and editor. However, one of en’s first and Colorado’s fourth newspaper. Edi- West’s philosophies was, “A fellow is better off tor West wanted to name it the Transcript after if he is his own boss.” So, in 1853 he became a his old paper in Boston; but being Colorado’s proprietor of the Boston Stereotype Foundry, a first corporate owned media outlet, his partners One of the first major establishment creating type sets for news- overruled him, preferring a name more in keep- photos ever taken papers. ing with the region. in Jefferson County, this is the Boston West initially planned to pursue maritime com- After publishing through 1860, West served in Company store, from a daguerrotype merce; but seeing news of gold discoveries in the Civil War as Union Captain of Company F taken in 1860. the Pikes Peak region, he organized the Boston of the Second Colorado Volunteers, fighting in Gardner Family Collection Mechanics Mining & Trading Co.—commonly Oklahoma and to repel the Price Raid in Mis- souri. Returning dead broke, his friends at the Rocky immediately latched onto him to be its city editor. With the money he saved, West began a new newspaper in Golden, which he finally got to name the Colorado Transcript. It was Colorado’s eighth newspaper; and he printed its first edition on Dec. 19, 1866, from the old Bos- ton Company building. For his staff, West hired Roger Williams Wood- bury and Nelson G. Robison as compositors. Woodbury walked from Denver to Golden to accept his position at the newspaper—a fact the future general was proud to claim even in his old age. James B.C. Boyd, West’s brother- in-law from the family that pioneered farming in Wheat Ridge, was the first printer’s devil and general roustabout. He was the first to sell the

38 Historically Jeffco 2016 Transcript all over town, cut wood and made fires for West to boil “some stuff like glue, and got well besmirched all over with the cursed stuff.” In his “Salutatory” column, West introduced the Transcript to the world, finishing with the words, “Owned by no clique, controlled by no faction, hampered by no local prejudices, we hope to issue a sheet that shall be a truthful transcript of the affairs ofColorado at large.” The Transcript’s first edition featured the proceedings of the Colorado Territorial Legislature, convened at Golden which was the Colorado West paid attention to those less famous too, Front page of printing ads starting July 10, 1867, for a poor the first issue capital. It profiled the new suite of rooms Wil- of the Western liam A.H. Loveland constructed in the upper cobbler who came west for his health and set up Mountaineer, floor of his downtown building for them, still shop in a shack where the downtown Golden Jefferson County’s Post Office now stands. Despite challenging first and Colorado’s standing at 1122 Washington Ave. (in 2016, the fourth newspaper, site of Old Capitol Grill). It featured Represen- economic times William Lewis Douglas with from Dec. 7, 1859. tatives Hall at its east end, the Council (Senate) partner Alfred Studley creatively advertised his Public Domain Chamber at its west end and four committee product, exclaiming “INDIANS! If you wish to rooms in between. run away from the Indians don’t go barefoot, but buy a pair of Boots or Shoes.” In 1868 with $400 The paper also featured an extensive profile of he saved, Douglas returned to Massachusetts. In Jefferson County and its many resources to pro- 1887 his ads returned, now from the nationally mote it to the world. It also advertised Henry prominent Douglas Shoe Co. Douglas, who ul- Bell’s advent of Golden’s famed brick-making in- timately became governor of Massachusetts, had dustry that would last a century. It assured that become a strong believer in advertising during one new brick building, despite people at a re- lean times. cent dance believing its walls were shaking, was entirely sound. This was proven right as it still The Colorado Transcript ventured forth as a ma- stands today as the Golden designated landmark jor publication of Jefferson County and the re- Burgess House. Nearby, today’s Golden Mill ad- gion, giving news on events, profiling places and vertised as Barnes’ Premium Flouring Mills; and new developments as well as sharing engaging the paper also reported the advent of Wells Fargo stories from Golden and beyond. Politically it in town. Two Goldenites, who became Colorado was a Democratic publication, promoting party icons, advertised in this issue with Loveland’s candidates and causes from the local to national Column for his grocery and mercantile and Ed- levels. However, while usually taking on edito- ward Berthoud advertising as a civil engineer. rial rival Golden Globe and the Republicans, the Transcript was not beyond taking its own party to In its first year, the Transcript documented many task. One such occasion arose when Democrats momentous developments for Golden includ- called for their own councilman Julius Schultz to ing the construction of the Astor House hotel step down after he cast a pivotal vote to choose and Calvary Episcopal Church, both today Na- Republican Carlos W. Lake as Marshall. Lake, tional Historic Register landmarks. It received its a future Jefferson County sheriff, was well re- first famous visitor when Henry Morton Stan- spected and generally considered the best man ley found the newspaper on August 23, 1867, for the job. The Transcript sided with Schultz, three years before the famed adventurer found who not only endured but won a second term Dr. Livingstone in Africa. Stanley wrote it was in office. His tavern, Schultz Place, ultimately an “ably written journal, dealing largely in geol- crossed political paths again when it was saved as ogy, mines and ores.” the Goosetown Tavern by future Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper.

Historically Jeffco 2016 39 souri. Meanwhile paper shipments from the east to such a western outpost proved unreliable, er- ratic or subject to embargo. TheTranscript did patronize the Golden Paper Mill beginning April 8, 1868, but as an emergency printing on yellow wrapping paper which was the only type it then produced. At last on April 12, 1871, the Colora- do Transcript became the first Colorado publication to print on locally manufactured newsprint. It also became the first to print on recycled paper as the Golden Paper Mill made its paper from discarded rags and straw using a plant partly One of the highly In 1867, the Transcript moved to its second powered by water. This made the Transcript by compressed editions home, the second floor of the Loveland Block, modern standards one of the greenest publica- of the Colorado Transcript, Feb. a second building of that name that stood at tions the state has known. 24, 1869, printed today’s 1219-21 Washington Ave. In 1870, The Transcript became, as West intended, a true on single sheets West and Dr. James Kelly teamed up to build of paper as it was transcript of the life and times of Jefferson Coun- dealing with a its third home at today’s 1115 Washington Ave., ty. It reported major events including Golden’s severe regional with Kelly’s drugstore on the first floor and the Night of Horrors (featuring a shootout at Jack paper shortage. Transcript on the second. The paper took over Hill’s saloon) in 1868; the White Ash Mine Di- Golden Transcript/Mile the whole building in 1903, and it remained the High Newspapers saster in 1889; the Great Flood of 1896; the Ley- Transcript’s home for 98 years. den Mine Disaster in 1910; the Great Blizzard of In 1869 the Transcript came very near missing 1913; and more. It detailed major new develop- an edition for the first time. Due to a severe pa- ments including the advent of the Coors Brew- per shortage it was forced to resort to printing ery and Colorado Central Railroad in the 1870s on “half-sheets of complex colors and quality,” with the rise of Golden as an industrial center with newsprint so crowded and microscopic it of smelters, flour mills, clay and coal mines. The was a challenge to read. This was a regional paper Transcript chronicled major building booms in shortage of which the Transcript wrote, “Several 1867, 1873, 1879, 1911, 1913 and construc- of our contemporaries are suffering with us in tion of landmarks now listed on the National this respect. The CentralHerald has been issued Historic Register. It promoted places across Jef- upon a half-sheet for several days, the Chieftain ferson County including the farms of the Bear of last week made its appearance in the same Creek and Clear Creek valleys, resorts and com- curtailed form, the News has been compelled to munities of upper Bear Creek, Evergreen, Co- print its weekly upon small paper several weeks, nifer, Buffalo Creek and Pine Grove and the and the Tribune the same…We sincerely hope beginnings of Arvada, Lakewood, Morrison and that before many months the proprietors of the Wheat Ridge. In 1898 the Transcript, in its pio- paper mill will commence the manufacture of neering “Illustrated Edition,” featured one of the printing paper.” earliest pictorial profiles of today’s Red Rocks This was a culmination of events beginning with Park, now a National Historic Landmark. the Plum Creek Railroad Attack on August 7, Although an Episcopalian, West faithfully cov- 1867. Near Lexington, NE, Cheyenne warriors ered churches of all faiths from the Methodists in derailed, captured and burned a freight train. Golden to the United Brethren at Rockland and Unknown to anyone was how this dealt a po- the construction of their chapels; and he pro- tentially fatal blow to Colorado’s entire Fourth moted their events. Mindful of the importance Estate. The train carried the print paper machin- of history, George West gave valuable reminis- ery destined for the Golden Paper Mills, under cences of his experiences in gold rush Colorado construction as the only paper mill west of Mis- and in the Civil War, including when he faced

40 Historically Jeffco 2016 gold rush friend and Colorado gold discoverer rails he reported President Grant’s son Frederick George Jackson in combat at the Battle of West- helping survey up Clear Creek Canyon in 1871 port. When the Spanish-American War broke while living in Golden. Since railroads routinely out, the Transcript provided a firsthand look at paid for advertising with passes instead of cash, the war through the eyes of his son Harley Dean West traveled many times including to see Presi- West as soldier war correspondent. dent Cleveland and to visit the battlefields where The newspaper took many opportunities to make he fought. news lighthearted—from amusing community George West’s editorial career spanned 40 years, anecdotes of the lives of farmers, workers and a remarkable length in Colorado history. Edi- townspeople to the Svenska Tala column written torial friends included O.J. Goldrick, historian by Swan Helverson in the 1890s, which provid- Frank Hall and Capt. James T. Smith who started news with a Swedish accent. The column was ed as Transcript Junior Editor in 1871 before he so popular both regular and Swedish immigrant joined the News. Editorial rivals included G.M. readers were known to threaten to cancel their Laird and Halsey M. Rhoads of Central City, subscriptions anytime the paper missed printing Carlyle C. Davis of Leadville and Doctor M. it. A lover of practical jokes, West, while serving Beshcar of Pueblo. as Colorado’s Adjutant General, secretly plotted West frequently told of his wish that his paper with Globe editor and Lt. Gov. William Gro- be “a family affair;” and by his death in 1906 not ver Smith over a “bottle of the best” to contrive only Eliza but surviving sons Leslie and Harley an editorial controversy over military expenses Dean West and wife Vera, daughter Marguerite culminating in a challenge by Smith to a duel. and husband George M. Kimball and grandson West, after both editors sold many mudslinging Neil West Kimball all held executive positions editions, finally let their readers in on the trick on the newspaper. TheTranscript passed to the when stating his choice of weapons: “Thunder- hands of Harley and stayed in the West family mugs at twenty yards, roll ‘em or throw ‘em.” well into the 20th Century, passing to widow Sometimes humor was used to make a point, Vera in 1927. She remarried to editor Horace such as what could be called the Transcript’s sub- Fleet Parsons and continued as its second longest liminal edition of June 28, 1899, where the pa- owner for more than 25 years until her death per’s longtime cry “Let’s have a street sprinkler!” in 1952. Throughout this time theTranscript was strategically sprinkled throughout its local outlasted its rivals including the Golden Eagle/ news page. Golden Globe (1872-1919) and Jefferson County As he did with Mrs. Joslin in the Mountaineer, Republican (1919-1946). West provided opportunities in the Transcript Meanwhile in 1934 the Transcript began what for female writers, including his own wife who is today one of Colorado’s longest running col- wrote under the pen name of Kate Warrenton. umns. On the night of March 4, 1934 a ma- His work also brought him into contact with lu- jor windstorm hit Golden, tearing the roof off minaries of the time, sometimes before they were the Everett Block and slamming it into the Ru- famous. West covered all three visits of Ulysses S. bey Block across Washington Avenue. Its steel Grant—in 1868, 1873 and 1880—to Golden, tangled in the trolley wires, causing great flash- before, during and after he was President along ing arcs lighting up downtown Golden. Editor with his company of Generals Sherman and Parsons, inspired by the sight, began the col- Sheridan on his 1868 visit. He told of Speaker umn Avenue Flashes, giving community events Schuyler Colfax’s arrival by stagecoach via the and tidbits from around town. Since then it has thoroughfare that would one day bear his name appeared every week, spanning four authors: in 1868. West shared personal visits with George H. Fleet Parsons (1934-1947);Virginia Miller M. Pullman whom he had befriended during the Weigand (1947-1987); Dorothy Akal (1987- gold rush; and on one visit riding the railroad 2012); and son John Akal (2012-Today). with the President’s son Robert Lincoln, upon

Historically Jeffco 2016 41 At this time it also resumed printing companion editions. Made since its beginning, these are Transcript newspapers published by the same owner but stand apart from the original. These have included the original daily Colorado Transcript (1866-1867), Denver edition of the Colorado Transcript (1875), Mountain Transcript (1972) and Jefferson County Transcript/Wheat Ridge Transcript (1982-Today). In 1998 a momentous event in Jeffco journalism took place when the Golden Transcript merged with the Lakewood Sentinel, placing them, the Wheat Ridge Transcript and Arvada Press all under one roof of the Jeffco Publishing Co., based in Golden. This became Mile High Newspapers in The Transcript front Parsons passed away in 1959; and when the fam- 2005. In 2007 the Transcript for the first time in page of the edition ily’s heirs sold the newspaper in 1960, it marked that came out just a 137 years relinquished owning its own building few hours late, after the end of 94 years of family proprietorship. It and moved to the ClickData Building at 110 N. the fire in 1978. was purchased by Charles E. Donnelly, Jr. in Rubey Drive. In 2014 after 46 years, it returned Golden Transcript/Mile 1963 and then by Bill King in 1966. TheKansas High Newspapers to Golden’s main street at Washington Station, City Star acquired the Transcript in 1969. After 722 Washington Ave., publishing from an upper it passed the century mark in 1966, the Tran- floor for the first time since 1903. In 2012, Mile script became twice weekly, then three times and High Newspapers joined in a joint venture with then a daily newspaper in the 1970s. In 1968 it MetroNorth Newspapers and Community Me- departed its longtime main street home for the dia of Colorado to form Colorado Community converted Center Drive Inn at 1000 10th St., Media, now the second largest multi-newspaper where a plaque commemorating this historic site operation in the state with 24 publications. The in Colorado journalism was placed by the Colo- Transcript resumed printing in broadsheet for- rado Professional Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi mat, returning to its roots. Passing its 150th in 1972. birthday, it will publish on Jan. 5, 2017, its It was during its time as a daily that disaster 11,200th edition, marking a great milestone in struck on Nov. 4, 1978, placing its streak of nev- the history of Colorado journalism. er missing an issue in dire jeopardy. Fire hit the Transcript building, causing considerable dam- Works cited: age to it and newspaper equipment. Fortunately Cervi’s Journal, 3/16/1966, 1/29/1969. the blaze happened on a Friday night and the Colorado Editor, Vol. 38, No. 2, 1963; Vol. 47, No. 12, 1972. Colorado/Golden Transcript, 12/19/1866, 2/13/1867, 7/10/1867, newspaper did not publish on weekends. Liter- 8/14/1867, 9/4/1867, 4/8/1868, 7/29/1868, 8/12/1868, ally hitting the pavement, the Transcript’s owner 11/25/1868, 2/17/1869, 3/10/1869, 6/16/1869, 4/12/1871, 8/16/1871, 4/30/1873, 5/8/1878, 4/30/1879, 8/25/1880, 4/5/1882, and staff searched as far as neighboring states 9/12/1883, 9/12/1889, 11/16/1892, 11/23/1892, 4/18/1894, for replacement computers and equipment and 7/30/1896, 9/9/1896, 3/17/1897, 10/26/1898 (Illustrated Edition), 12/21/1898, 6/28/1899, 2/12/1903, 12/22/1910, 12/11/1913, secured temporary quarters in the basement of 9/18/1924, 5/15/1941, 10/9/1947, 11/6/1978. the Hesteds Building, ironically at the site of the Colorado Transcript (Denver), 3/15/1875. newspaper’s second home. The following Mon- Denver Post, 8/24/1959. day, the next edition of the Transcript rolled off History of Clear Creek and Boulder Valleys, 1880. the press only a few hours late. Kimball, Neil West. “George West,” Colorado Magazine, Vol. 27, No. 3, p. 198-208, 1950. During the 1980s the Transcript resumed twice Rocky Mountain News, 6/11/1859 (Extra), 9/24/1881, 8/24/1959. a week publication and shifted from its long- Stanley, Henry Morton. My Early Travels and Adventures in America standing broadsheet format to a tabloid in 1983. and Asia, Vol. 1, p. 176. Western Mountaineer, 12/7/1859.

42 Historically Jeffco 2016 Golden Transcript: A community chronicled by Glenn Wallace

or 150 years now—issue after issue, page And this he did. Using money saved from after page—the Transcript has delivered the working with the Rocky Mountain News, West Fnews of the day to the Golden community. launched a new paper, this time using the “Tran- That any business could reach the ripe old age script” namesake from Boston, as he had initially of 150 is remarkable. In fact, the Transcript is wanted. the oldest continuously published paper in the Within that first edition, on Dec. 19, 1866, state. That an unbroken record of a community’s West explains some of his reasoning for goings on—both monumental and trivial—has starting the paper in Golden. He calls it “a been written down for future generations to read lively, growing place, full of healthy enter- and learn from, is a gift. prise,” and a place with citizens who would take George West, “If you want a snap shot of Golden history, the interest and give “hearty support” to local journalism. Upon those early pages, West makes a founder of the Transcript is the place to start. Its presence is in- Colorado Transcript strumental for keeping the city alive and boost- pledge to the local community: “We hope to put in 1880 ing local pride,” said Mark Dodge, curator at forth a paper that shall be an honor to ourself History of Clear Creek and Boulder Valleys Golden History Museums. and the public we propose to serve.” The story of theGolden Transcript—originally Thus began 150 years of continuous newspaper named the Colorado Transcript, then the Daily publishing. Transcript and then the Golden Daily Tran- Marking the first year, West seems quite aware script—begins with one of the founders of Gold- of the responsibility of crafting the so-called first en itself, George West. draft of history. Area historian Richard Gardner writes, “West “As we close the book, we fully realize the impor- was a career journalist, beginning at his native tance of journalism, and can but remember that Claremont, NH, as an apprentice on the Nation- words that are written are imperishable, while the al Eagle in 1840 at age 14. In 1844 he completed utterances of the tongue are but the testaments of the his apprenticeship at the Boston Cultivator. Be- moment, the burden of a breath, and often times coming a skilled printer, West then worked at pass into oblivion. A journalist each day writes his the Boston Transcript, learning to be a composi- own history as a citizen and as a man. He makes a tor, makeupman, pressman and editor.” record that can not be blotted out. A thought once West came to Colorado with a company of New written can not be recalled. In view of these facts as Englanders after hearing gold had been discovered. we turn our faces from the past to look forward to The Transcript was actually West’s second attempt the future we pass the volume to our fellow citizens at a newspaper. His first attempt at a local publica- for their judgement.” tion, named the Western Mountaineer, lasted only West, along with his wife Eliza, and the help of from December 1859 to December 1860. his sons, published the Transcript until his death The Civil War embroiled a number of the men in 1906. His wife and son continued to publish of Golden, including West, who fought with dis- the paper he had created. tinction for the Union. He returned to a town In the words of longtime area Rotarian and in decline. writer Barb Warden, “His newspaper helped Gardner writes: “Having shallow roots in a gold Golden become Golden.” But even beyond that, rush town (many town residents) had returned the Transcript also shows how the broader world to their old homes back east. West resolved to re- came to be. The burgeoning city did not exist in vitalize Golden and with it rekindled his dream, a vacuum after all. Though neither did it lack for to give it a newspaper.” its own point of view…

Historically Jeffco 2016 43 The time in which the Transcript began was long Mrs. Ida (Johnson) Hoyt died at age 76, the paper before notions of impartiality and objectivity noted that she was likely the last of the ‘59ers, hav- were held up as journalistic ideals. It was a time ing arrived in Golden at the age of five—just two of partisan press, where most papers could be days after George West and the Boston Company firmly divided up between which political party had officially founded the town. it supported. West was unabashedly a Democrat, Prohibition had a bigger effect on Golden than often posting party information and voting rec- on some areas of the country, largely due to Colo- ommendations in his paper. rado’s statewide temperance laws that began in When President Ulysses S. Grant, a Republican, 1916 and the location of the Coors brewery. The visited Golden in April 1873 he did not receive a Coors family was forced to get creative during warm welcome in the Transcript’s pages. In a sec- those years, including becoming a prolific manu- tion entitled “Who is Satisfied?” the paper writes facturer of malted milk. In 1925 Mars Candy Co. of a lack of enthusiasm throughout the Colorado named Coors its number one malted milk sup- Territory. The reason? “President Grant cares lit- plier, which helped to keep the factory afloat. Ads tle or nothing for the people, and they, by way of asking for any and all local milk supplies are quite accommodation, care little or nothing for Presi- evident in the ad sections of the Transcript during dent Grant.” that period, as the brewery tried to meet the new West was also blatantly supportive of Golden it- demand for 600 gallons of raw milk a day. self, talking up the town’s potential, and clearly The day Prohibition ended, the Transcript re- proud of its status as the territorial capital. Much ported the Coors Brewery jumped into opera- of the paper recounted the business of the territo- tion 24 hours a day to meet the sudden demand. rial legislature, which met in downtown Golden The April 13Transcript reports, “It is estimat- until 1867. When the legislature voted in 1867 ed that the legalization of beer has already put to move the capital to Denver, West did not take 5,000 men to work in Colorado. This includes it well. Writing about the vote to move, “which not only brewery workers and truckers, but extra was opposed valiantly by the honest members of help in dispensing establishments and building the Council,” West said it was passed “with inde- tradesmen who have been called back to work cent haste, considering its importance.” in remodeling breweries and wholesale and re- He framed the capital’s change as part of a larger tail establishments . . . Golden has been the city ideological battle, as the mountain and mining most favored by the beer activity. A hundred communities lost political ground to the grow- twenty-five men have been given work at the ing urban and agricultural interests to the east. Coors brewery and about fifty elsewhere about “Our devoted locality stood as the Champion of town and Mayor A.E. Jones says there are no idle right against injustice and wrong,” the Transcript men left in the city.” states in its Dec. 11, 1867, edition. The lack of drink wasn’t all economic hardship Though not always so openly opinionated, however. The paper is full of mentions of bootleg- the Transcript offers a wonderful point of view gers, bad batches of moonshine and the occasion- through which to view much of the last 150 al opportunity for levity. At the start of Colorado years of history. prohibition in 1916, Golden songwriter Henry Koch apparently wrote a song entitled “A Prohibi- On Colorado’s statehood, the Aug. 2, 1876, edition Mince Pie Song.” “Ask Mr. Koch to sing it for tion mentions that Golden luminary and former you. You’ll enjoy it,” promises the paper. mayor William Loveland could be considered as the Democratic nominee, to go up against even- One by one, modern advancements came to tual winner Gov. John Routt. town, including rail lines, motion pictures and television delivered through antennas atop The flow of time is evident across the paper’s pages. Lookout Mountain. An 1887 edition of the pa- The city’s many residents of note get married, have per mentioned Golden rejoicing over the begin- children and die, all dutifully chronicled. When

44 Historically Jeffco 2016 ning of electrical lighting, “and it is beginning to put on metropolitan airs.” Prohibition by Richard Gardner Alongside the advancements are also the tragedies, like the 1889 White Ash coal mine disaster, fatal ust 100 years ago, on Jan. 1, 1916, floods, the occasional murder and the lists of war JProhibition went into effect for Jef- dead from the world wars. ferson County and all of Colorado. Ac- cording to the Golden Transcript, “The There have been other memorable events that have passing of Golden as a “wet” town was been dutifully recorded in the Transcript’s pages in marked by a grand free-for-all fight, but more recent times, including the building of the no one was hurt much, and a few of the nearby National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the belligerent ones obtained a warm bed at rise of the “Coors mystique” in the 1970s, revital- Sheriff Dennis’ establishment. The row ization of Golden’s downtown streetscape and the started about ten on the night of the 31st, city playing host to the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. apparently over nothing in particular. In 2012 President Barack Obama became the sec- Soon after the battle started and swung ond sitting president to make an official stop in into the streets the saloons were all closed Golden. and John Barleycorn departed.” Coors Malted “This is just too pretty. I just don’t know how you The entire stock at Coors Brewery, some Milk manufactory get any work done around here,” Obama said at the 17,000 gallons, was poured into the in the 1930s made start of his speech in Lions Park. creek. To survive, the brewery convert- malted milk with ed to selling malted milk, perfected by milk supplied by As a Democrat who freely complimented Golden, local dairies and Grover Coors and sold at soda fountains it seems likely that President Obama would have re- barley supplied by by September 1915. Colorado farmers. ceived much more favorable press from the editor The malted milk West, than President Grant ever did. In the election to enact Prohibition, held proved so popular Nov. 3, 1914, Jefferson County voted that in 1925 In May 2016, the Transcript was honored by the against it, with 2,328 for, 2,721 against. Coors successfully Golden Landmarks Assn. with a Living Landmark convinced the Mars Golden voted 438 for, 681 against, with award for reaching 150 years in business. The pa- Candy Co. to buy Ward 1 actually voting in favor. Ward 3, it, which saved the per’s publisher Jerry Healey was on hand to accept aka, Goosetown, Golden’s German dis- family business. the award. He spoke about the many writers, editors Coors continued trict, and the ward closest to the brewery, and publishers that had come before him and about producing malted voted 207-38 against. milk long after feeling the strong sense of community and purpose Prohibition was that imbues a paper that has enjoyed such a long Works cited: repealed in 1933 Colorado Transcript, 1/7/1916, 11/12/1914, 9/30/1915; and ultimately sold run. He said that purpose had helped the paper even Golden History Museums, Golden Master Timeline its formula to Mars through rough years, “To have that sense of what we (Dan Abbott, Mark Dodge, Ronda Frazier, Richard Gardner, Dennis Potter contributors), 2016; historical in 1954. cover, who we cover, how we cover it and why it’s files of Richard J. Gardner. Gardner Family Collection important to this community and to the democracy of this country that we have strong newspapers.” The newspaper industry is changing now in ways West and his family could never have anticipated 150 years ago. Yet, the mission remains, to provide the Golden community with information, with an identity and a forum for discussion. So long as that community continues to offer that “hearty support” for journalism, the Golden Transcript may very well make it another 150 years.

Thanks to historians Richard Gardner, Mike Dodge, reporter Christy Steadman and the research of author Carole Lomond for contributing to this article.

Historically Historically Jeffco Jeffco 2016 2016 45 Jeffco Open Space stewards of county historic sites by Mary Ann Bonnell, Visitor Services Manager, Jefferson County Open Space

istoric sites spark curiosity. “Is that a Initiated in 2014, HSMP’s objectives were to as- real cemetery?” “Are people really bur- sess each site for structural integrity and condi- Hied here?” These are the two questions tion, historic significance, educational potential, park visitors can’t help but ask as they encounter protection considerations and access. Having all what looks like an old cemetery and two grave- of this information compiled in one place allows This interpretative stones just west of Village Walk Trail in Mat- staff to prioritize educational and stewardship ef- panel about the thews/Winters Park. forts annually. Mount Vernon Cemetery at Thanks to the perspective and analysis offered Using the HSMP, staff recently selected priority Matthews/ Winters Park offers by the Jeffco Open Space Historic Sites Manage- historic sites stewardship actions for 2017. Our perspective and ment Plan (HSMP), answering these two ques- work will focus on four sites: the Mount Vernon analysis prepared tions for Matthews/Winters visitors is a priority. Cemetery and Colorow Council Tree at Mat- by Jeffco Open As of July 2016, these basic queries, sparked by thews/Winters Park; the Blair Ranch buildings Space. Founded in 1859, Mount Vernon the Mount Vernon Cemetery site, will now be at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park; and the Welch offered supplies answered for anyone willing to take a moment Ditch in Clear Creek Canyon Park. and lodging to gold to read the new interpretive panel located at the seekers headed Proposed work at the Mount Vernon Cem- west along the park’s main kiosk. etery site includes replacing the current fenc- Denver, Auraria and The goal of the HSMP is to provide a template ing, which is in poor condition, with new buck Colorado Wagon Road. The only for the protection, use and interpretation of and rail fencing material. Additionally, existing physical reminders 33 Jefferson County Open Space historic sites headstones and markers will be assessed for au- of the once bustling and monuments. Ranging from paleontological thenticity; and non-historic markers will be re- town site in the Territory of Jefferson wonders such as dinosaur tracks or a line in the moved. Overgrown, non-native vegetation will (now the State of strata that marks the catastrophic end of the di- be removed; and a wayside educational panel Colorado) are two nosaur’s reign, to simple monuments such as an will be installed at the cemetery site, allowing stone grave markers. old outhouse, these tangible treasures have the visitors to learn more about the site while they Jeffco Open Space potential to deliver extraordinary bits of Jeffco’s are viewing it. rich history to our park visitors in real time. Work at the Colorow Council Tree will include stabilizing existing rock walls and removal of debris and overgrown, non-native vegetation. Un- like the Mount Vernon Cemetery, the Colorow Council Tree is not located along or near an established public trail. Because we want residents to have access to the site and the story it has to tell, education staff plans to offer guided educational tours to the site in 2017. The Blair Ranch buildings will see stabilization work and repair to exterior surfaces that will help these structures better stand up to the elements. The 2017 work will also include the installation of a wayside interpretive panel. Guided tours to the site and staffing the area with an on-site educator on busy weekends and holidays are also part of the 2017 plan. As part of a larger, comprehensive look at Clear Creek Canyon and the myriad recreational op-

46 Historically Jeffco 2016 portunities it offers, the Welch Ditch is undergo- ing an extensive design and engineering analysis. The planning and design phase will continue into 2017 with the possibility of some initial stabilization work happening in late 2017. The long-term vision is to stabilize the ditch structure, address safety concerns and allow visitors to experience a safe and historically rich hiking experience that would include the concrete chan- nel and wooden flume portions of the ditch. Included in this long-term vision are wayside educational panels, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about the ditch and its impact on development in Jeffco as they enjoy their journey. Jeffco Open Space plans to meaningfully engage We are excited about the HSMP and the lasting Jeffco Open Space volunteers from the community in all four of impact it will have on stewardship of the historic trail systems boasts 230 miles that wind these projects. Providing park visitors the oppor- sites and monuments in our care. Our greatest through the parks tunity to care for the heritage resources they’ve hope is to turn that curious spark a park visi- that make “way back come to appreciate as they experience our parks tor feels when they experience a historic site into when” vivid. creates a lasting bond to the land, the sites, and, passion for learning more about Jeffco history Jeffco Open Space historic preservation beyond the site they steward. and, for some, a commitment to the stewardship of these sites throughout the county.

Living in Jefferson County, we sometimes forget just how incredible our home really is.

Plan to relax and enjoy the ride while visiting some of Jeffco’s Historic Landmark properties.

The Colorow Council Tree, on Jefferson County Open Space, became a designated county landmark in 2013.

For a list of Landmark sites open to the public, please visit JCHC’s website: planning.jeffco.us, Boards and Commissions—Historical Commission Historically Jeffco 2016 47 Jeffco home to Colorado’s oldest fencing club by Katy Ordway Second Place, Adult Division, Writer’s Award hen one thinks of the sports in Jef- uation, he was unable to consistently fence until ferson County, mountain biking, he arrived in Oklahoma and his employer, the Whiking, running and skiing are what Phillips Petroleum Company, started a fencing usually come to mind. There is also a group of club. He remained with the club there for 14 athletes here in Jefferson County that compete years. It was during this time that Adler would using swords. The Mile High Fencing Club come across the format for the four-weapon Mile High Fencing Club ‘s emblem (MHFC) has been promoting fencing and creat- tournament, which today is one of the highlights MHFC ing champions here since the 1980s. In United of the MHFC year. Adler was transferred back to States Fencing Assn. literature we learn, “Fenc- Colorado in 1978 and continued to pursue his ing, the art of swordsmanship, has been practiced love of fencing. Eventually, this would lead to for centuries. First it was to train for deadly com- the creation of MHFC. bat—the duel. Now, it is for Olympic Gold.” In From its beginning, MHFC was a group with no fact, fencing is one of the events that have been name, just a mission. According to Adler, “We in the modern Olympic Games since its begin- wanted a group to enjoy fencing— no blood and ning in 1896, although not every weapon was guts.” The earliest members of the group fea- featured until 1912. tured a wide range of abilities. The plan was for The oldest amateur fencing club in Colorado, Adler to teach the beginning classes. These were MHFC was founded by Frank Adler and the originally set up at Kunsmiller Middle School, late Larry Platt. Platt was a fencer at Wayne State Denver. Later, they moved to the Foothills Rec- University, MI. During World War II, he acted reational District, South Jeffco, specifically the as a navigator on the B-29 and B-24 bombers. Carmody Recreation Center. The courses were Members of the Platt was an intense fencer well into his 80s. The set up for a beginning six-week course followed Mile High Fencing sabre was his weapon of choice. by an intermediate six-week course. Members Club at practice in would have to pass both classes to join the club. October of 2015. Adler began his fencing career in 1939 at Colo- Karen Dohr rado School of Mines, Golden, CO. After grad- Then, Platt would “polish them up.”

48 Historically Jeffco 2016 The MHFC was very successful, and this model allowed its members to compete and win against many opponents, including Air Force Academy cadets. The cadets—many of whom began fencing in August as the school year commenced— found themselves losing to MHFC fencers who were older, more experienced and very determined. Many MHFC members would and still do compete despite an occasional twisted ankle, sprained wrist or injured knees. During the 1990s, the current leadership joined the club. Bob Block, Tom Raffey and Jack Beyer are all long time fencers who keep MHFC club going. During the last 20 plus years, they have seen a lot of changes in the club. Block began his fencing career in San Diego and was a found- space and invest in more equipment. Currently, The Mile High ing member of the San Diego Fencers Club. He it is able to operate five fencing strips at a time. Fencing Club in competed at the college level for UCLA and was 1990. (Frank Adler part of the first West Coast Olympic Training Today the format of the education has changed. top left, Larry Platt Camp for fencing. He was also the only Ameri- The club still offers an introductory class; but it top right) MHFC can member of the German fencing club Ein- also, on occasion, will offer advanced classes in tracht Frankfurt. Block won the Veteran’s Na- specific weapons. Since 1989, more than 700 tional Championship for foil in 1994. Raffey students have graduated from the introductory began his fencing career at Florida Atlantic Uni- class, receiving membership and patch with the versity in the late 1970s. club’s insignia. While most students who take the introductory class do not actively partici- He moved to Colorado in the mid-1980s and pate with the club, today there is a core group fenced with Gary Copeland at Northern Colo- of about 25-30 active members. Over the years rado Fencers. In the mid-1990s, Raffey joined the club has become more competitive and di- MHFC. Jack Beyer also joined MHFC in 2002. verse. What was mostly a foil club now has now He began fencing in Southern California and was become much more evenly divided among the an intercollegiate fencing champion. He moved three weapons. Members of the club have also to Colorado in the 1970s and has coached at the become more competitive, boasting members University of Colorado, Colorado State and the who have won Colorado Seniors events and Vet- Air Force Academy. To date, Beyer has won 15 eran Championships. state championships—five in foil, five in saber and five in the épée. MHFC has produced its fair share of success stories. One of the most notable alumni is Rebecca The year 2001 would see another big move as Ward. Formally a gymnast, she would accom- the club shifted its operations from the Carmo- pany her brother to practice at the club. She is dy Recreation Center to its current home at the remembered playing chess, while watching her Lakewood Link Recreation Center. Carmody brother. She eventually picked up a weapon and was shifting its facility to cater to its gymnastics joined in the fun of physical chess, better known program. MHFC and all of its equipment need- as fencing. ed a new home. Lakewood openly courted the program, because having a fencing program in Her tenure with MHFC was short, but her ca- its recreational district was seen as a unique op- reer afterwards has been impressive. Ward is an portunity that would set it apart from other rec- Olympic Bronze medalist in sabre. In the 2008 reational districts in the area. This move also al- Beijing Olympics, she was the youngest fencer to lowed the club to grow. It was able to have more represent the United States and was inducted in

Historically Jeffco 2016 49 descendant of dueling tradition. The entire body is a target. There is no right way and both opponents can score at the same time. In 1991, when Adler first introduced the multi- weapon tournament to the club, there were four members on each team. Each team consisted of one male sabre, épée and foil fighter and one female foil fighter. Historically, fencing has been a sport for men with women restricted to just the foil. Women were not allowed to compete in épée in the Olympics until 1996. Sabre was added in 2000. Today the tournament reflects these changes with each team now consisting of The Ward family, 2015 into the Fencing Hall of Fame. Today, there three fencers, one for each weapon. At least one from left to right is another up and comer in the club, D’Artagnan Bill Ward, Rebecca member of every team must be a woman. This Ward and William Wake. He was in the last class taught by founder, tournament is one of the fun events on the Colo- Ward. Rebecca won Frank Adler. Wake competed in 2013 in Junior rado fencing calendar. This is an event where no the Bronze Medal in Olympics. MHFC gave him the only scholar- the 2008 Olympic one can advance their ranking, and the emphasis Games. ship it has awarded to date to help pay for his is on camaraderie. Although fencing is basically MHFC travel to this event. In addition, in 2012 MHFC an individual sport in which athletes fight their sent a Men’s Épée team to the Nationals. Cur- own separate battles, the multi-weapon events is rently, the club can boast veteran champions in a team tournament in the true sense and is set all three weapons. up so that all team members are there to cheer Over the years, one of the things that MHFC on their teammates and to provide support and has become most known for in the fencing com- coaching during the bouts. munity in Colorado is its multi-weapon tourna- This event has been held in a variety of venues, ment. Fencing has three weapons that are used from the old basketball gym at the Link Rec- in competition. These are the épée, the foil and reation Center to the Denver Fencing Center. the sabre. Each weapon has its own set of rules Clubs from all over the state, including the Air and targets for scoring as well as its own history. Force Academy, have brought teams to compete. The foil and épée are thrusting weapons with During the last few years, this event has also fea- which you can only score using the tip or point tured a wide variety of State Fair award winning of the blade. The sabre scores across the whole of cookies and cakes donated by Karen Wake, a the blade. MHFC member, who includes baking and sabre Sabre and foil fighters must wear an extra layer fighting as her hobbies. There are trophies for of equipment known as a lamé, which conducts the first, second and third place team members. a mild electric charge for scoring purposes. These There is also a large trophy that traditionally lamés, which are worn over the fencing jacket, that would have the name of the winning team will light up the scoring box when a touch is engraved on it. This trophy was retired in 2014 scored. In foil, touches can only be scored on when, at last, a team from the MHFC won. the torso. In sabre, touches can be scored from Over the years, the club has changed a lot, from the waist up. This also means that sabre fighters the venue where it practices, to the demograph- must have special masks that are also electrified. ics of the members and to the weapons that have With both of these weapons, right of way de- dominated. One thing remains the same—the termines who gets the touch. You must be the Mile High Fencing Club is a place where anyone one initiating the attacking action to score. Due can come to learn about the great sport of fenc- to this, the refereeing in these weapons is very ing in a welcoming atmosphere that promotes important. Épée is a bit different because it is a sportsmanship and camaraderie.

50 Historically Jeffco 2016 Golden sailor recalled on Pearl Harbor’s 75th anniversary by Richard Gardner eventy-five years ago on the morning of board side, 18 feet beneath the waterline. The Dec. 7, 1941, Fireman Third Class Allen explosion killed Davis instantly at his station SArthur Davis was at his post aboard the in Fireroom 1 or 2. Others en route were killed USS Helena at Pearl Harbor, HI. Davis, 18, was by flash burns and the blast concussion in the a farm boy growing up in Fairmount in Jeffer- passageways. The damage flooded the engine son County, worshipping at Fruitdale Baptist room and boiler room and severed wiring to the Church and attending Fairmount School and Helena’s main and secondary batteries, cutting Golden High School. There he was a favorite all power and plunging the ship into darkness. among his classmates, known as a good kid and The concussion of the blast fatally damaged the Allen Arthur Davis, played freshman football. After he enlisted in the Oglala whose crew could not contain the flood- taken in 1941. Navy in January 1941, he returned in April to ing water. Davis’ crewmates worked valiantly Golden Transcript/Mile High Newspapers give a talk to his classmates about his work and trying to save their own ship. activities in the service. On Dec. 7, his ship, the Through the 90-minute attack, eight battle- USS Helena, a light cruiser, was docked on Bat- ships were damaged with four sunk and one ran tleship Row at 1010 Dock Navy Yard, Berth 2, aground to prevent sinking; two destroyers sunk where the USS Pennsylvania normally anchored. and one damaged; two cruisers and three other Moored alongside was the USS Oglala, flagship ships damaged; and 188 aircraft destroyed and of the Pacific Fleet Mine Force. 155 damaged across Oahu. Davis was among Meanwhile, across the sea in Golden, a couple 2,459 Americans who lost their lives with 1,282 of young men at the Colorado School of Mines wounded. He was not the only Jefferson Coun- were spending their midday talking on a short ty citizen to fall under attack that day. Within wave radio to a friend of theirs in Hawaii. Sud- hours many more, military and civilian, many denly they started hearing noise and explosions, with connections to the Colorado School of and after a few minutes the radio went dead. Mines, found themselves under fire in the Phil- Neither their friend nor they realized yet what ippines. The next day, a shocked nation heard exactly happened. President Franklin D. Roosevelt pronounce At Pearl Harbor at 7:57 a.m. local time C.A. Dec. 7, 1941, “a date which will live in infamy,” Flood, on watch on the signal bridge who had calling on Congress to declare war against the recent duty on the Asiatic Station, saw planes Empire of Japan. America and Jefferson County over Ford Island and immediately recognized were now thrust into World War II. them as Japanese attacking warplanes. Officer Soon at their Fairmount farm, Allen’s parents, of the Deck Ensign W.W. Jones without delay George and Frances Allen Davis, received the turned on the general alarm, alerting Davis and worst news. It also came with an unusual request: his crewmates, “Japanese planes bombing Ford “The navy deeply regrets to inform you that your son Island. Man all battle stations, break out service Allen Arthur Davis, fireman 3rd class U.S. navy ammunition.” was lost in action in the performance of his duty At 7:59 a.m., Davis was preparing his ship for and in the service of his country. The department ex- battle—just one and 1/2 minutes later and two tends to you its sincerest sympathy in your great loss. minutes after the planes were first sighted. While To prevent possible aid to our enemies please do not his crewmates were running to battle stations, a divulge the name of his ship or station as if remains lone torpedo bomber, flying low over the south- are recovered they will be interred temporarily in the ern tip of Ford Island, fired upon theHelena locality where death occurred and you will be noti- from a range of around 500 yards. Launched fied accordingly. into the water, the torpedo passed under the - Rear Admiral C.W. Nimitz, Oglala and hit the Helena amidships on the star- Chief of the Bureau of Navigation.”

Historically Jeffco 2016 51 a typical example of American courage and disci- pline. An explosion blew out a fuel tank behind the steaming boiler; the personnel knew not what it was but proceeded to put to rights a dis- torted situation in the dark with guns firing, water pouring through a bulkhead, and super-heat- er temperature alarms and horns blowing due to short circuits. With all this they continued their work of securing the fireroom with water up to their chests before abandoning. After abandoning the room they dogged down the hatches and reported to the Repair III party for further du- ties.” Few orders even needed to be issued to the crew at all, and those only necessary for timing. USS Helena What they did not know is that the USS Helena The Helena remained afloat, and after the attack Public Domain had survived the attack and, at that moment, was patched and sent to California. was limping across the Pacific towards Califor- nia for repairs. In the moments after the torpedo The reason for Admiral Nimitz’s request to the hit Davis’ crewmates did outstanding damage Davises was clear: If the Japanese learned he was control work, sealing off flooded areas, secur- a fireman aboard the USS Helena, they could ing damaged machinery and starting the diesel realize the ship was heading to California for re- generators; and by 8:01a.m., the guns were on- pairs and know exactly where it was damaged, line. The Helena countered with intense gunfire, making it a truly vulnerable target. But they did deterring enemy planes into trying other targets not learn this, and the Helena was repaired and or firing wildly amiss, while the crew distributed returned to the Pacific. It fought in the battles more ammunition to the USS California, USS of Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal and Kula Gulf Cachalot and land stations. where she met her end in being sunk by multiple torpedo hits. The USS Helena became the first Survivors where Davis was stationed were par- ship awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, ticularly mentioned in the captain’s report: “The and it earned the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Forward Boiler personnel on watch proved to be Medal with seven stars. Allen Arthur Davis was laid to rest at the Na- tional Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, in the Punchbowl volcanic crater overlooking Honolu- lu, where you may visit him today at Section A, Annual JCHC Symposium Site 526. Here in Colorado he is also listed upon the glass panels of the Colorado Freedom Me- The Jefferson County Historical Commission morial in Aurora, where you may see his name annually teams up with a city, area or historic etched upon Panel 9, Column 3, Row 7. group to recognize Colorado History Month. Works cited: The symposium presents a theme that has American Battle Monuments Commission, Allen Arthur Davis shaped the history of our county and how historic gravesite record, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. preservation helps to identify and protect the special Colorado Freedom Memorial, Allen Arthur Davis record Colorado Transcript, 12/11/1941 character of the places we live, work and play. Richard J. Gardner, interview with Clyde Mannon, 6/20/2009 The Jefferson County Historical Commission Historical files of Richard J. Gardner United States Navy, Report of Japanese Raid on Pearl Harbor, and Jeffco Parks will co-sponsor the May 2017 Enclosure E, U.S.S. Helena, 12/14/1941 Symposium in Evergreen, with a layered “James Michener” approach (think: land, people and architecture)! 52 Historically Jeffco 2016 PRESERVATION

Jefferson County Archives Celebrating 25 Years By Ronda Frazier, County Archivist

marks the 25th anniversary of tor between the County and the Colorado State 2016 the Jefferson County Archives. Archives to ensure that records retention require- Surprisingly, many people, citizens as well as ments set by the State were met. Within months county employees, are unaware that Jeffco has a of being hired, McCollum began developing a repository for its historical records, so I thought records management program to facilitate trans- I would take this opportunity to share a bit of fer of historical records to the Archives as part of information about the archives and its history as their final disposition in what is called the “re- we celebrate 25 years in operation. cords life cycle.” Records were being stored at the As early as 1916, Jefferson County became aware time in closets in the old courthouse basement, of the importance of protecting and preserving in a cell block in the former jail (the Treasurer/ its invaluable records after a fire broke out at Assessor Bldg. in Golden), and in a warehouse the courthouse in Golden. At a special meeting at 429 Violet Street, sharing a building with the of the Board of County Commissioners, funds Affordable Cremation Society. were authorized to build a vault which would be In 1994, the Records Management Depart- sufficient in size to accommodate all the records ment was created. Offices and storage areas were of the county. The vault would be used by the moved to the new Administration and Courts Treasurer and the Assessor, and for overflow re- Building and staff positions were added. The de- cords from other offices. In 1979, a recommen- partment’s name was changed to Archives and dation was made by County Clerk and Recorder Records Management in 1995 (the name was re- Norm Allen to establish a County Archival De- versed to Records Management and Archives in partment which could be housed in the jail that 2009). As the organizational structure of the de- would soon be abandoned. However it wasn’t partment changed over time, a County Records until 1989 that an actual job description for an Manager position was created in addition to the archivist was written and approved, with help County Archivist. Archives and Records Man- from the Jefferson County Historical Commis- agement became a section within the County’s sion. IT Services Department in 2005. In 2010, the In January 1991, the first County Archivist, offices, archives reading room, and historical col- Archives warehouse Duncan McCollum, was hired. His office was lections were moved to their current location in at 429 Violet St., the Laramie Building at 3500 Illinois Street in Golden. May 1992. in the Library Administration Building in Lake- Jefferson County Archives wood. With no budget or staff, he reported to Golden. County Librarian Bill Knott. On February 19, 1991, the Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution officially establishing the County Archives. The Commissioners agreed that it would be the policy of the County to “promote and encourage the use of its public records by all persons,” and to “provide for the adequate storage and preservation of the County’s archival public records under the direction of the County Archivist.” The County Archivist was directed to identify and locate all County public records; to develop a comprehensive plan and program for the management and permanent preservation of the County’s records (as mandated by the Colo- rado General Assembly); and to act as coordina-

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Today, Jefferson County Ar- long-term research worth, and provide informa- chives continues its mission to tion of value to the citizens of Jefferson County. “promote and encourage the They contain information needed to document use of Jefferson County’s pub- property rights and establish precedents. They lic records by all persons in the help citizens claim their rights and entitlements, public interest, and to preserve define the responsibilities of elected officials and and promote the rich history hold them accountable for their actions, and add of Jefferson County through to the knowledge, understanding, and apprecia- the identification, preservation, tion of the county’s history. In short, they tell the and use of its permanently story of the county and its people. valuable archival records.” The The Archives currently holds about 1,300 cubic Archives is the official reposi- feet of collection material. This includes 700 tory for all permanent records boxes of records, 1,670 individual bound record possessing historical or eviden- books, 715 maps, and numerous photographs, tial value created or received by scrapbooks, artifacts, and other types of media. the County in the course of its New records are transferred to the Archives con- Records stored in daily business activities. The Archives collects, tinuously throughout the year, so the amount of former jail preserves, arranges, and describes these perma- collection material available is constantly grow- Jefferson County Archives nently valuable records and makes them available ing. Every item in our collections is listed on our to historians, genealogists, students, and other website and is available for use by the public. We individuals interested in the history and devel- also maintain a small reference library contain- opment of Jefferson County and its governing ing published books relating to Jefferson County body. We also have the authority to accept dona- and Colorado history, as well as all Jefferson tions of historical items from citizens and groups County Historical Commission publications. outside of county government if the items fall County Archivist, within our collecting scope. The Archives selects We average about 450 requests for information Ronda Frazier, stands and cares for unique, unpublished materials in per year in the Archives. Questions about prop- among the rows of current archives order to make them available for use now and for erty or building history account for more than storage. generations to come. These records are impor- half of our research requests. Records in the Ar- D. Harrison tant to the workings of county government, have chives can help trace the ownership of a property from the present all the way back to the original land patent. We also have photos as early as 1949 of houses and businesses throughout the county in our tax appraisal cards. Other popular research topics include roads, county government history, railroads, and family history. Our tax records are used heavily by genealogists in order to locate property owned by their ancestors and to define the time period in which they lived in Jeffer- son County. Other frequently used historical records include aerial photographs, school census records, commission minutes, marriage records, livestock brand registers, and incorporation records.

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Twenty-five years later, the Archives itself still [email protected]. Please see our website at has only one staff position, the Archivist, but we jeffco.us/archives for a complete listing of re- seek out opportunities to use interns and volun- cords and collections available. teers whenever possible and have been extremely lucky to work with the Jeffco Public Schools’ Works cited: Executive High School Internship Program, “Vault to Protect County Records,” Colorado Transcript [Golden] 30 Mar. 1916: 1.18 Aug. 2015, www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org. Emporia State University, Foothills Genealogi- Allen, Norm. “Re: County Archives.” Memorandum to Bud Smead, cal Society, and 40 West Arts District to help us 10 Jul. 1979. Jefferson County Archives Program History Files. complete a number of tasks related to process- Knott, Bill. “Re: County Archivist.” Memorandum to Terry Green, 9 ing, cataloging, and indexing our collections. Feb. 1990. Jefferson County Archives Program History Files. Lutz, Marcetta. “Re: County Archivist.” Memorandum to Norm The work of volunteers and interns is critical to Allen, 18 Dec.1989. Jefferson County Archives Program History our success. As the current Archivist, I am very Files. proud to be a responsible steward of Jefferson McCollum, Duncan. “Re: History of Program.” E-mail to author. 30 Dec. 2009 County’s history and I welcome the challenge of BCC Resolution CC91-170, 19 Feb. 1991. Commission Minutes and continuing and building on what Mr. McCol- Resolutions, Series 183, Box 70. Jefferson County Archives, Golden, lum started 25 years ago. Colorado. McCollum, Duncan. “Records Management and Preservation,” For more information about the Jefferson Coun- County Line Mar. 1991: 5. County Line Employee Newsletter, Series ty Archives, how to schedule an appointment to 165, Box 2. Jefferson County Archives, Golden, Colorado. BCC Resolution CC06-563, 12 Dec. 2006. Commission Minutes conduct research in our collections, and intern- and Resolutions, Series 183, Box 122. Jefferson County Archives, ship and volunteer opportunities, contact Ronda Golden, Colorado. Frazier, County Archivist, at 303-271-8448 or

Writers’ Award Contest Do you have a story to tell… one that relates to the rich and diverse history of Jefferson County? If your answer is “Yes,” then keep on reading.

Each year, the Jefferson County Historical Commission sponsors a “Writers’ Award” contest for writers of articles relating to some aspect of Jefferson County history. Selected articles are then published in the JCHC’s annual magazine, Historically Jeffco. You can become a published author. You don’t have to be a trained “historical” writer. The contest is open to youth and adults, and you don’t even have to live in Jefferson County. Your topic, however, must reflect some aspect of Jeffco history, such as early residents, homesteaders, ranchers, railroads, transportation, water issues, archaeology, genealogy, historic preservation, museum collections, and more. For more information and an application form, please see the JCHC website. planning.jeffco.us, Boards and Commissions—Historical Commission

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Researchers: a multitude of resources by Bonnie E. Scudder and Lee Katherine Goldstein, with Dan Cordova

he “Saving Places Conference: tory Department has 350,000 pho- of rare books, law-related photos and T2016,” held at the Denver Pub- tos from the Rocky Mountain News extensive records. The library’s digital lic Library, included a session that in their collection. Records from the collection includes Lexis, FastCase was particularly helpful to research- Denver Assessor’s Office may also and HeinOnline electronic databases, ers. Titled “Research at Denver Public be accessed. Sanborn Fire Insurance which are made available via public Library,” the session featured presen- maps are available online digitally, access terminals. Access to all pub- tations by staff members from several and there also is a collection of very licly available cases and their docket research facilities including the Den- old maps. The Denver Public Library entries are also available for electronic ver Public Library, the Stephen H. is located at 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway; review in the library. Hart Library at History Colorado, the Denver, CO 80204. Reference tele- While current and historical law Colorado State Archives and the Col- phone number is 720-865-1821. The published by Congress, the public orado Judicial Center Library. Staff website is: history.denverlibrary.org. papers of presidents, Executive Or- members shared a wide variety of re- Colorado State Archives ders, federal agency regulations and sources, including online resources, all published federal court opinions In 1908, Colorado started recording and those specifically available in their are available, the primary mission of births; and these records, as well as institutions. Information provided at the Colorado Supreme Court Library other genealogy records, naturaliza- those sessions is summarized below, is to collect and maintain Colorado tion papers and probate records from along with some additional resources legal materials. In fact, it boasts the 1864-1968 are maintained in the which may be helpful to Colorado most complete collection of Colorado state archives. The records from each history researchers. law resources anywhere; and its col- governor are also maintained. The ar- lection pre-dates all other law libraries Denver Public Library chives also saves copies of all publica- in Colorado, including the US Courts Jim Kroll of the Western History tions sent to them. Digitized records Library, the Bar Association collection and Genealogy Department spoke include accounts of deaths in coal and both law schools. of the extensive resources available mine accidents. Historic newspapers to researchers of genealogy. This in- may also be found at this location. In The Supreme Court Library’s lawyer- cluded access to census data from addition, the archives maintains re- librarians serve the legal research and 1790-1940, worldwide. Specific cen- cords from the Civilian Conservation reference needs of the Bench, the Bar sus records for 1950 will be released Corps, Corrections and Reformatory and the general public. A dedicated in April 2022. One interesting note and the Amache Japanese Internment self-represented litigant coordinator was that in the 1930 census, residents Camp. The Colorado State Archives will also assist anyone with filings were asked if they owned a radio. The also manages records for counties, in the Court of Appeals or Supreme website www.ancestry.com is available school districts and other public or- Court. here for research purposes. Newspa- ganizations. The Colorado State Ar- In the foyer of the Ralph L. Carr Ju- per collections are also an important chives is located at 1313 Sherman dicial Building is the Learning Cen- source of information for researchers. St. #120; Denver, CO 80203. Phone ter, where visitors may learn about the A complete collection of microfilmed number is 303-866-2358. Website: judicial system in Colorado through copies of the Rocky Mountain News www.colorado.gov/pacific/archives. a variety of high-tech, interactive dis- and the Denver Post is available for Colorado Supreme Court Library plays. More than 50,000 students in research purposes. Obituaries can Civics classes have taken field trips to Dan Cordova, JD, and Librarian for also be helpful, as can findagrave.com learn about this topic through these the Colorado courts, described this and billiongraves.com. City directo- outstanding displays. library, which helps research legisla- ries may supply missing details. Coi tive history as well as the history of The Colorado Supreme Court Drummond-Gehrig is your contact the various judicial districts in Colo- Library is located at 2 E. 14th Ave.; for photos at DPL. The Western His- rado. The library features a collection Denver, CO 80203. Phone: 720-

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625-5100. Websites: www.courts. Historically Jeffco magazine: Pub- ety.org , Pine Elk Creek Improvement state.co.us; cscl.colibraries.org/colo- lished annually by the Jefferson Association (PECIA) pecia.us/, Lake- rado-legal-resources County Historical Commission, this wood Historical Society historiclake- magazine contains articles on various wood.org/, Arvada Historical Society Stephen H. Hart Library at Jefferson County historical topics. arvadahistory.org/ and Westminster History Colorado Past issues are available online at: Historical Society www.westminster- This library is on the second floor of planning.jeffco.us, Boards and Com- cohistory.com/ the History Colorado Center. The li- missions—Historical Commission Other organizations and museums in brary houses manuscript, photo and Jefferson County: including Golden artifact collections. Some of these are Jefferson County Place Names Direc- History Museums www.goldenhisto- available online, but most have not tory: A database containing historical ry.org/, Colorado Railroad Museum yet been digitized. The Biographical information about named sites in Jef- coloradorailroadmuseum.org, Buffalo and Genealogical Searches section ferson County, including buildings, Bill Museum buffalobill.org/ and Di- maintain census information, direc- roads, ditches, mountains, streams, nosaur Ridge dinoridge.org/ tories, phone books, newspapers, col- and other natural and man-made sites lection catalogs, books and printed and features. jeffco.us/placenames Resources Online indexes, archived magazines, Civil Jefferson County Archives: Ronda Additional resources are available on- Works Administration (CWA) pio- Frazier, Archivist. The archives holds line, including the following which neer interviews and biography index- the County’s historical records in- may be helpful to researchers: es and an extensive Colorado subject cluding administrative and financial National Register of Historic Places: collection of biographies. They also records, land and property records, Contains a searchable database of maintain an historic marker database, marriage records, maps, plats, draw- places listed on the national register an online architectural resources da- ings, and aerial photographs. It also of historic places. tabase for researchers and cultural contains school census records, road resource professionals, and genealogy records, photographs and more. Open Colorado State Register of Historic resources. Their website contains the by appointment. Researchers may call Properties: Contains information Colorado Historic Newspapers Col- 303-271-8448 or visit the website at about state and county landmark lection, a searchable database of 199+ jeffco.us/archives preservation programs. www.history- individual newspaper titles published colorado.org/archaeologists/colora- Jefferson County Public Library in Colorado primarily from 1859 to do-state-register-historic-properties system: 1923. The branches hold copies of books authored by local historians. USGS Map Store: Contains down- The Stephen H. Hart Library is lo- Most of the original source docu- loadable current and historic topo- cated on the second floor of the His- ments previously held by the libraries graphical maps. Printed maps can also tory Colorado Center, 1200 Broad- have been turned over to the Golden be purchased. www.usgs.gov/ (Prod- way; Denver, CO, 80203. Phone is History Museum. ucts, Maps, USGS Store) 303-866-2305. Researchers may visit Jefferson County Open Space: As a research project progresses, more Wednesday-Saturday between 10:00- Staff and volunteers make “way back when” avenues to additional resources likely 2:00. Website is www.historycolora- will appear. Articles featuring histori- do.org/researchers/research-tools. vivid now. Through tours and public programs, stories of the past are kept cal aspects related to Jefferson County Jefferson County Historical relevant to life today. jeffco.us/open- may be submitted to the JCHC for Resources space/history consideration for publication its annual magazine, Historically Jeffco. Historical resources pertaining spe- Local historical societies: These in- cifically to Jefferson County may be clude Jefferson County Historical found in a variety of locations. Many Society jchscolorado.org/, Conifer of these maintain files of oral history Historical Society coniferhistoricalso- interviews. These resources include: ciety.org, Wheat Ridge Historical So- ciety www.wheatridgehistoricalsoci-

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Boettcher Mansion—preserved for Jeffco by Cynthia Shaw, Director, Boettcher Mansion f there were ever an impres- perk of owning the hotel: every April 6, the hotel sive example of adaptive reuse baked him a birthday cake! Iin Jefferson County, the his- His beloved mountaintop retreat continued to be toric Boettcher Mansion would enjoyed by family members, with granddaughter take the cake. Designed by Den- Charline Humphreys Breeden purchasing the es- ver architects Fisher & Fisher as a tate in 1958 so that her three children could en- summer home and seasonal get- joy it as she had. Prior to her untimely death in away for Colorado entrepreneur 1972, she bequeathed the 110-acre property to Charles Boettcher (1852-1948), Jefferson County for public use and enjoyment. “Lorraine Lodge” was built of lo- Initially overwhelmed by this generous gift, Jeff- cal stone and timber in the for- co remodeled and reopened the former residence est on top of Lookout Mountain. in 1975 as the Jefferson County Conference & Completed in 1917, the Arts and Nature Center. At that point, the potential for Charline Humphreys Crafts-style dwelling offered the prolific Prussian using the cathedral-beamed living room and ex- Breeden with her patriarch a welcomed respite while still allowing grandfather, Charles pansive front terrace for upscale galas had not Boettcher, circa him commanding views of his various business quite been realized. 1940 endeavors down on the plains below. Colorado Historical Over the next decade, as more and more couples Society Having made an early fortune selling hardware asked if they might be married on the premises, to the miners during the silver boom in Lead- weddings and receptions became the primary fo- ville, Boettcher was contemplating retirement as cus and much needed source of revenue for the he approached 50. In 1900, after realizing po- property. After being listed in 1984 on the Na- tential opportunities back home while visiting tional Register of Historic Places for its architec- the relatives he’d left behind in Germany when tural and social significance—and enlarged with a he immigrated in 1869 to Wyoming, he decided compatible two-story lobby addition in 1986— Front elevation of to establish two new companies: Ideal Cement the landmark was renamed the Boettcher Mansion Lorraine Lodge circa 1920 and Great Western Sugar. By the time he died in to better reflect its new function as a special events Colorado Historical 1948 at age 96, he was still a hard-working busi- venue. There is no doubt that Charles would be Society nessman, living in a suite at The Brown Palace very proud to know that his former home is now Hotel, another one of his wise investments. One a profitable enterprise in its own right! The founding of the Colorado Arts & Crafts Society (CACS) onsite in 1997, helped solidify the Mansion’s identity as a rustic but resplendent example of the Craftsman style (when the National Register application was submitted, the buildings were still being described as Tudor). Nearly 20 years later, the small nonprofit organization not only maintains a full- fledged collection of period books dedicated to the study of this wildly popular aes- thetic movement in America

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(c. 1895-1920) in the upstairs Library; but it also offers lectures, tours and other educational programs throughout the year. CACS’ Winter Symposium and Spring Gathering of the Guilds continue to attract a loyal cadre of aficionados and other attendees to the site on a regular basis. In 2005, the completion of a grant-funded historic structures assessment and a conservation report led the Board of County Com- missioners (BCC) to approve a $3.1 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) funded by a portion of Jefferson County’s share of Colorado’s Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) monies. For the next two winters, the 10,000-square-foot Mansion was closed to the public while Slater- Paull and its team of architects, contractors, The “Great Hall” (now known as the Fireside Room) circa 1920 engineers, preservationists and landscape de- Colorado Historical Society signers constructed a new kitchen/storage addition, restored the stucco, stone and timber exterior, refurbished the existing bathrooms, upgraded the electrical and HVAC systems, abated asbestos and lead paint, installed a slate roof and heated walkway and implemented a new garden and irrigation plan. Other enhancements included purchasing nearly 100 pieces of reissued Stickley furni- ture and sprucing up the interior with period paint colors, wallpaper and stencil patterns. By the time of its 2007 Grand Reopening, the reinvigorated Mansion was ready to take on another century of doing what it does best —graciously receiving and entertaining its guests. Now, as 2016 starts to wind down after hosting more than 200 functions (weddings, memorials and other diverse gatherings) in just one year, the staff is planning many festiv- ities to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2017. Visit jeffco.us/boettcher and coloarts-crafts. org for a list of upcoming events.

Charles Boettcher: A Man Before His Time “Colorado has the best outlook of any state I know. She is rich in resources and when conditions improve, as they are beginning to, Colorado will be among the country’s leaders. I have every confidence in the future of Colorado.” Rocky Mountain News, April 23, 1939 Artwork by Julie Leidel, www.thebungalowcraft.com

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Is it worth it?—preserving your historic resource by Sarah Rosenberg, Planner for Jefferson County Planning and Zoning

re you a proud owner of a historic • Colorado State Library: cde.state. Assessment. These non-competitive Aproperty? Do you often wonder co.us/cdelib grants are available for $10,000 or if you own a piece of Jefferson County • Denver Public Library Western less. history or if there is any sort of sig- Historic Collection: www.denver- Emergency Grants: Emergency nificance to your older structure? Do library.org/ grants are awarded to provide assis- you have a historic building that is • Main Street America Program: tance to historic resources that are in deteriorating and are concerned with danger of being lost, demolished or its future or want your property to be www.preservationnation.org/ main-street/ seriously damaged by a sudden threat, recognized as a designated historic re- such as a fire, flood, or another act of source? Is the property in a high risk • Colorado Cultural and Historic nature. They are usually limited to area such as Pine, Evergreen, Bailey Resources Task Force: chrtask- the temporary stabilization of a struc- and other areas where there have been force.weebly.com/ The task force ture until permanent preservation ac- floods and fires? works to improve the State of tions can be applied. The maximum The purpose of the Jefferson County Colorado’s mitigation, prepared- amount awarded is $10,000, but the Landmark Program is to benefit his- ness, response and recovery efforts grants requested usually range from toric preservation in the county and for cultural and historic resources. a few hundred dollars to a few thou- to recognize cultural, historic, archae- • Local historic societies that often sand dollars. ological and prehistoric sites, build- have programs designed to involve Colorado Historical Foundation Re- ings and structures. communities in historical activi- volving Loan Fund: The Colorado Beyond the recognition of being a ties. Historical Foundation (CHF) cre- Jefferson County Landmark, there Once you put your research and appli- ated a Revolving Loan Fund with the are plenty of incentives and reasons cation together, the Jefferson County State Historical Fund to provide low to designating a historic resource as a Landmark Designation Committee interest rate loans for restoration of landmark. Being part of a landmark (LDC) reviews the nomination to de- historic resources. The loans are fixed program can help establish eligibility termine whether or not is qualifies for rate with flexible terms of up to five for various grant and tax credit pro- such designation. years. These loans are meant to be grams, stabilize and increase property used for rehabilitation of a designat- values and protect historically signifi- Financial Incentives ed historic property or to cover cash cant resources. Once your property is designated as shortfalls for a restoration project. a Landmark, you may be qualified to There are no minimum or maximum Research obtain some financial incentives to loan amounts. Before applying to become a land- help preserve and rehabilitate historic If you are interested in designating mark, it is important to research the properties. your historic building or structure or history of your property to find out if Historic Structure Assessment for more information regarding the it has any historic significance. There Grants: The State Historical Fund Landmark Pro- are multiple resources out there that (SHF) through History Colorado gram, please can help you learn information about www.historycolorado.org/ awards contact Dennis your property. Some examples are: grants for the sole purpose of creating Dempsey at • Colorado State Archives: www. an assessment of the physical condi- 303.271.8734 colorado.gov/archives tion of the structure that serves as a or ddempsey@ • Stephen H. Hart Library and tool to assist the owner in restoration jeffco.us. Research Center: www.history- and maintenance efforts. An architect colorado.org/researchers/stephen- or a structural engineer working un- h-hart-library-and-research-center der the direct guidance of an architect must prepare the Historic Structure

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Preserving History with Metal Detecting by William F. Chapman, Jr. he year is 1860. A team of oxen is haul- ing a wagon loaded with mining sup- Tplies over the Mount Vernon Canyon toll road to Idaho Springs. As the team crosses a ridge on Mount Genesee, the off ox throws one of the shoes from his left fore hoof. Lost on the trail, unknown and forgotten for more than 150 years, the lost shoe (oxen or bovine, being cloven hoofed animals, have two shoes on each hoof) lay just under the surface. A metal detectorist searching for coins one afternoon brought the lost shoe to the light of day. “That’s interesting,” he thought, “I wonder what this is and why it’s here?” It looked like a rather large iron comma with five small square holes in a row through it near the outside curve. So began a journey through time for this particular metal detectorist looking for information on a rusted iron artifact. A partnership had been formed between a man, now an investigator, and that unidentified metal artifact. Was it valuable? Probably it was not. Historically interesting? Very possibly! Every investigation wants answers to six questions; who, what, where, when, why and how. The first piece to the solution to this puzzle was to find out ‘what’ this thing was. So the research The ‘where’ answer was uncovered by the discov- Jeff Lubbert, a began with an on-line posting of a photograph ery of the artifact, which brought about another member of Eureka! on a metal detecting web site (www.treasurenet. Treasure Hunters ‘why’ question. Why was this shoe here on Gen- com). The answer came quickly and easily, “It’s Club, searches an esee Mountain? Our investigating detectorist apparently vacant an oxen shoe.” The ‘what’ answer was known. had no idea that there had been a road over the field that may have Check off one of the investigative answers. buried, historical, mountain. Realizing that there must have been metal artifacts. What is an oxen shoe? What reason would an old road where the shoe had been found, he William F. Chapman, Jr. someone have for shoeing a cow? Reading back revisited the area. Faint traces of a long-aban- through the pages of time into early records, our doned road could be seen if one knew what to intrepid investigator learns about cross-country look for. More research gave him the story of the travel using oxen teams. One thing he realizes founding in 1859 of the town of Mount Ver- is that the movies and television have it largely non by Dr. Joseph Castro, the creation of the wrong. While horses were used to pull some toll road over the mountains into Park County, wagons, mules and oxen were used far more a short-lived stint of Mount Vernon as the ter- commonly. Our investigator learns the ‘how’ ritorial capital and its virtual abandonment by and the ‘why’ of oxen shoes. Check off two more 1885. This gave our investigator some of, but answers. not exactly, the answer to the ‘who’ question. Two more answers at least partially obtained.

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been possible to ascertain exactly ‘when’ the shoe was lost, or attribute to exactly ‘who.’ Without a provenance for the artifact, the museum wasn’t interested in having it. So it became an object to be passed around by local students when our investigator made historical school presentations. There are those who object to metal detecting being performed on public lands. Detectorists are looked upon as grave robbers and looters. The ox, a cloven That left only the ‘how’ answer to find. Again, The prevailing thought is that the artifacts those hoofed animal, is another detecting trip to the site to see if any of lands contain need to be preserved for future shoed in matching generations and archaeologists are needed to find pairs—two to each the five nails that secured the shoe to the hoof hoof. Since the two could be found. None were located. This meant and recover them ‘properly.’ Some say detector- parts of a hoof are that the shoe was not pulled through the toe- ists rob legitimate historians of these artifacts not the same size, and their information. Sadly, there are instances one side is larger nail of the claw (bovine-speak for one half of than the other. This the hoof). Had that happened, bent nails would of this happening; but by-and-large, academia is shoe came off taking have remained with the shoe. It was most likely uninterested in these few isolated finds. a nail with it. The nail sticks out of the side that abrasion against the rocky ground wore the There are two problems with those two lines of of the hoof. Either heads of the nails off to the point that the shoe thought. First, metal artifacts, with the excep- half is referred to as was able to pull off the nails remaining in the tion of the noble metals (gold, silver and plati- an oxen shoe. toenail. A reasonable answer to the ‘how’ ques- William F. Chapman, Jr. num) corrode in the ground. The longer the ar- tion had been deduced. tifact remains in the ground the less valuable its Our investigator went one step further. He information becomes. They eventually will just cleaned and preserved the artifact to prevent disintegrate into metal oxide scale, leaving noth- further rusting and offered it to a local museum ing left for learning by the future generation. along with its mildly interesting story. It had not Secondly, in the case of this particular artifact, which was a true personal story, wasn’t being investigated by any archaeologist or archaeo- logical society. There are just too many of these lost, dropped or cached metal artifacts to be of interest to archaeology. Should the discovery of Colorow! artifacts lead to a larger site, the responsible detectorist will make it known to the proper people A Colorado for serious study, as was the case of the Bradford Photographic House project on Ken Karyl Ranch. Chronicle Artifacts can each tell a story. Metal detecting on Book by Beth Simmons any land either public or private recovers those This special edition metal treasures that beg to have their story told. contains many previously The story needs to be told before it disappears unidentified and unpub- due to the ravages of time. So if you, dear reader, lished photographs of get the chance to save some little piece of history the Utes. It is available for $19.95 at the Dinosaur with a metal detector, I would encourage you to Ridge Discovery Center either do it yourself or contact a metal detect- and Visitor Center, 17681 ing organization to come help you do it. Visit W. Alameda Pkwy., Mor- Eureka! Treasure Hunters Club HART (Historic rison, CO 80465 303-697- Artifact Recovery Team) at www.eurekathc.org. 3466 www.dinoridge.org/ as well as other book- Let’s not leave these little slices of history in the stores in the Golden area. ground to simply rot away. 62 Historically Jeffco 2016 RECOGNITION

Colorado Railroad Museum Norm and Ethel Meyer Award for Historic Preservation in Jefferson County

he Jefferson County Historical Com- The Alamosa Years 1948-1958 mission is pleased to present the 2016 In the late 1940s when Colorado’s narrow gauge TNorm and Ethel Meyer Award for His- railroad companies started going out of business, toric Preservation to the Colorado Railroad Richardson began collecting rolling stock, rail- Museum (CRRM) in recognition of its efforts way records and other pieces of equipment in to “acquire, preserve and exhibit railroad equip- an effort to preserve Colorado history. His col- ment, artifacts, records, books, art work and lection quickly outgrew the available space at his photographs that emphasize Rocky Mountain museum in Alamosa, CO; and in 1958, with the area railroad history and to explain and interpret help of his friend, Hauck, he moved the muse- the role of railroads.” um to Golden, CO. It truly lives up to its slogan, “Lose Track of The Golden Years 1959-1978 Time,” as it preserves the history of the region from the 1860s to the present through exhibits, Once in Golden, Richardson built a replica nar- a reference library, education programs, publi- row gauge railroad station to serve as the main cations and sharing information with other his- museum building. With the help of volunteers, torical groups. he started laying track for 50 pieces of equipment and built a motel to help fund the muse- The museum was opened in 1959 by Robert um. The Iron Horse Motel was originally located W. Richardson, and his friend, Cornelius W. where the roundhouse now sits. Hauck to preserve historic railroad equipment. In 1964, the nonprofit Colorado Railroad His- Growing the Collection 1979-1990 Museum co-founder torical Foundation was formed to assume own- With the help of museum trustee Hauck, vol- Cornelius Hauck on ership and operation of the museum. It steamed unteers and rail fans, Richardson was able to Rio Grande Southern into the 21st Century with building programs, purchase more than 20 pieces of full-size roll- No. 20, circa 1962. Coming full circle, expansion of services and the hiring of its cur- ing stock during this period. This included the No. 20 is now owned rent executive director, Donald Tallman. The Bob and Julie Shank collection from Durango, by the Museum. museum’s history divides neatly into five eras: CO, which brought in the rare and unique nar- CRRM

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ert W. Richardson Railroad Library in 1997. The library is one of the most comprehensive railroad reference libraries in the United States. The museum finished the track loop in 1999 and completed the roundhouse and turntable in 2000. Into the Future 2001-Present The museum has experienced many positive changes since 2000. Interpretive signs have been installed around the property, the downstairs of the museum has been remodeled into an exhibit venue; restoration efforts continue at a renewed pace; and the Museum continues to add historic pieces to its collection, including Denver and Rio Grand Western steam locomotive No. 491, which was donated to the museum in 2013 by History Colorado and has been restored back to service. The Colorado Railroad Museum is Museum co- row gauge motor cars Galloping Goose Nos. 6 proud to own the oldest operating steam loco- founder Robert & 7. The Museum now owns three of the seven motive in Colorado, the elegant No. 346, who (Bob) Richardson in just celebrated her 135th birthday in July. This Salida, CO in 1967. existing Galloping Goose cars. Encouraging its Richardson was volunteer tradition, the museum volunteers are year, another locomotive, the RGS No. 20 will the Museum’s first actively involved in the restoration of the equip- return to the Museum from Strasburg, PA, Executive Director, where she has undergone a 10 year, $1.5Million and lived on the ment. premises. restoration. The final finishing touches will be CRRM The Expansion Years 1991-2000 completed in Golden, CO. Although Richardson retired in 1991, his legacy The 2016 Track Project reconditioned the entire Johnny Cash was just starting to grow. Recognizing the need loop of operating track with help from Martin poses at CRRM in to invest in infrastructure, the Board of Trustees the 1970s with a Marietta Materials Division and the Antonito bunch of youthful started taking major financial steps to improve Track Crew from the Cumbres & Toltec Sce- volunteers. and expand the museum. After hiring perma- nic Railway. The Museum recently produced CRRM nent full-time staff, the museum built the Rob- an exhibit, Eating on the Rails, which explores the history of food on the railroad. The exhibit also includes china patterns of railroads running through Colorado: Colorado & Southern, Union Pacific, Santa Fe, Denver & Rio Grande Western, Rock Island, Burlington and Missouri Pacific. Looking to the future, Museum staff and volunteers are currently working on the restoration of a Union Pacific dining car, and upon completion, plan to serve a menu of curated meals that would have been found on offer in a mid-century dining car anywhere in the country. To involve the next generation, children are encouraged to explore the history of the railroad by attending summer day camps, special events throughout the year, and through information

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from the museum’s mascot—Spike, a railroading D&RGW No. 346 taking water at the dog. In addition, the Museum is proud to host Museum’s water perennial favorite Thomas the Tank Engine who tank, No Agua. visits each year to delight the pre-school set with Chuck Conway, 2009 a “Day Out With Thomas.” During the holiday season, families are invited to attend the Muse- um’s production of “Polar Express,” and receive the first gift of Christmas. This multigenera- tional holiday favorite continues to delight both children and adults, and provides an income to facilitate the Colorado Railroad Museum’s restoration projects and educational programming. All Aboard! Visit the past at the Colorado Rail- road Museum, 17155 W. 44th Ave., Golden, CO 80403, 303-279-4591, 1-800-365-6263, coloradorailroadmuseum.org

Norm and Ethel Meyer Award for Historic Preservation in Jefferson County

Initiated in 2010, the Norm and Ethel Meyer Award for Historic Preservation recognizes special contributions made to preserve Jefferson County’s valuable historic resources.

This award is named in honor of the Norman and Ethel Meyer Family, who were honored as the first recipients, in recognition of their long-standing efforts to preserve evidence and structures from Jefferson County’s ranching history. Their dedication is evident in Meyer Ranch, much of which is now protected as Open Space; their preservation of the Midway House, their home since 1950; Norm’s long service to the Jefferson County Historical Commission; his preservation work on historic toll roads in the Conifer area; and designation of the Lubin-Blakeslee House and Meyer Ranch large barn as county landmarks. Other recipients include: 2011 Golden Landmarks Association 2012 Pine-Elk Creek Improvement Association Friends of the North Fork Historic District 2013 Jefferson County Open Space 2014 Friends of Dinosaur Ridge 2015 Lariat Loop Heritage Alliance

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Alderfer Ranch House and Barn 2016 Jefferson County Landmark

he Alderfer Ranch, acquired by Jefferson The human history of the site, however, re- County Open Space during the years volves around the Alderfers: E.J. and wife Arleta; T1977-1986, constitutes the heart of children, Ed, Shally and Hank. E.J., a talented present-day Alderfer/Three Sisters Park. The his- carpenter of Amish ancestry, remodeled the tory of the ranch dates back to the 1873 James 19th century home without compromising its T. Hester Homestead. The Hester Family owned Folk Victorian style. Later, in the 1970s, Hank and operated cattle and logging operations until would stage a monumental barn raising, adding 1894 when a fire destroyed the original ranch timber-framed upper levels to the original struc- house and barn. That same year, a new house ture. For the most part, the Alderfers adhered to and barn were built nearer Buffalo Park Road. the ranching heritage of hay, horses, cattle and This is the house and barn, along with 240 acres, logging. But they also participated in an exotic that Elmer Joseph Alderfer (“E.J.”) purchased for industry that flourished along the Front Range $8,000 on Christmas Eve, 1945. The ranch had during the 1940s and l950s: silver fox farming, changed ownership and boundaries since 1894, which fell out of fashion by the 1960s. but had always served as something of a land- For the larger Evergreen community, the Alder- mark, an awe-inspiring site of natural history. fer Family, especially Arleta and Hank, are re- The ranch, with its broad meadows and spectac- membered for their public service. Armed with ular rock outcroppings, is located at the crest of energy, intellect and a master’s degree in library the road, where the view suddenly opens up to science from the University of Denver, Arleta Mt. Evans with the back range in the distance. served not only as the Evergreen High School Librarian, but also as a community leader rang-

66 Historically Jeffco 2016 RECOGNITION ing from the PTA and Camp Fire Girls to the Evergreen Recreation Association (forerun- ner of Evergreen Park and Recreation Dis- trict) and the Jefferson County Historical So- ciety. Even before E.J.’s death in 1974, Hank had taken on the role of running the ranch. He also became a master craftsman and launched a saw mill, combining conservation and custom construction to make good use of beetle-killed lumber. Somehow, he Alderfer house found time to pick up where Arleta left off, tak- circa 1947, Hank’s ing on positions of leadership with the Jefferson father, E.J., and older County Historical Society, the Evergreen Park brother, Ed (on running board) and Recreation District, and the Mountain Area Jeffco Open Space Land Trust. He became a household name by virtue of his original research and regular column on local history—“Yesteryear”— in the Canyon Courier. In 2007, he was inducted into the Jef- ferson County Hall of Fame. Nothing could be more fitting than adding official Landmark status to the place of his birth.

Alderfer Barn, Hank and infant son, Nathan, circa 1985 Jeffco Open Space

Illustration by Doyle Harrison Historically Jeffco 2016 67 RECOGNITION

Arvada Jaycee Hall 2016 Jefferson County Landmark rvada’s strong commitment to saving At age 115, the Arvada Jaycee Hall started life as and repurposing historic buildings con- the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The chalet Atinues today with designation of The Ar- style meeting hall was the first non-residential vada Jaycee Hall, 5640 Yukon St., as a Jefferson structure in what is now known as Olde Town County Landmark. Arvada. The land was transferred to the church in 1900. Construction occurred during 1901 and 1902. In 1944, the Arvada Jaycees, formed in 1936 as the Arvada Junior Chamber of Com- merce, purchased the church. The group immediately renovated the back coal bin into a kitchen and bathroom with added heat and electric. A major renovation came in 1967 when the Jaycees added a concrete front porch and a half brick veneer around the outside of the building. Jefferson County Historical Commission records show that the Arvada Jaycees were involved in building and maintaining Melmon and Terrace parks. The Jaycees were also responsible for get- ting the first public library built in Arvada on West 57th Avenue. In 1938, the Jaycees, along with the Arvada Chamber of Commerce, became involved with the Arvada Harvest Festival. This annual event started in 1925 and the Jay- cees have stayed involved with the event and are The former Seventh Day Adventist Church (circa 1965) was originally clad with the current hosts of the Harvest Festival which horizontal wood siding, which remains celebrated its 91st year in 2016. visible on the east exterior wall. The stained glass windows with diamond- For more information: www.jci.cc/local/info/ shaped panes remain visible. arvada-co/otherinfo. www.arvadaharvestfestival- Arvada Historical Society parade.com/

Illustration by Doyle Harrison

68 Historically Jeffco 2016 RECOGNITION

Big Red Barn 2016 Jefferson County Landmark nown locally as the Big Red Barn at Beaver Ranch, this Jefferson County K building, 11299 S. Foxton Road, Coni- fer, expands the scope of historic buildings recognized as a Jefferson County Landmark. History is a little sketchy about this landmark because barns and other “functional” buildings, while extremely important and necessary to the owners, the construction details were many times left undocumented. The barn was constructed as part of the George Kennedy homestead. Kennedy homesteaded 583 acres, which became known as Beaver Ranch, due to the large number of beaver ponds on the property. The Ranch contained Conifer’s first post office, dance hall, hotel, general store A small log cabin on the property is in jeopardy 4th of July 1904. and sawmill. In 1895, William and Laura Ben- due to disrepair and bank encroachment from Crowds gather for a Fourth of July nett purchased the property and maintained it Foxton Road. bucking bronco as a central hub for the Conifer community. The Although Beaver Ranch changed hands many contest given at Bennetts also raised horses for the stage coach Bennetts’ Beaver times, it maintained its place as a regional gather- Ranch line. Because of all its amenities, it became a fa- ing place, a site of political rallies and a vacation Denver Public Library, vorite stage coach stop on the trail to Leadville. destination well into the Twentieth Century. Western History Collection, Call # X-7562 The barn is a German bank barn with access The Big Red Barn is now owned by Gary and to the first floor on the south side and walk-in Debra Miller Wysocki. access to the second floor on the north side. It is two stories, 35-feet by 50-feet on a dry stack foundation. Historically, there was a lean-to that ran along the entire east side. That portion has been demolished. Construction is post and beam. The hand-hewn beams are secured with hardwood pegs. The original two cupolas still exist and are in good condition. Horse stalls are still present.

Illustration by Doyle Harrison

Historically Jeffco 2016 69 RECOGNITION

Center for the Arts, Evergreen 2016 Jefferson County Landmark

vergreen’s pioneer schools can be credited the Bergen Park Community Church. The cor- with fostering the community’s strong ner stone is engraved “Bergen Park Community Esense of history and pride. Church 1950.” Today, this sense of history and “Bringing the Arts and the Community To- pride is alive and well in the des- gether,” the slogan for the Center for the Arts, ignation of the Center for the truly states the Center’s mission: “To enrich and Arts (CAE), Evergreen, as a Jef- serve our mountain community by promoting ferson County Landmark. and cultivating the arts with quality educational In 1974, Evergreen art enthu- programs.” siasts formed and incorporated The Art Center houses exhibition space—also the Evergreen Arts Council as used for small concerts and recitals, classrooms, they pursed a plan to build a ceramic studio and meeting spaces—that also visual arts/community center. can be used for symposiums and lectures. The Their intention was to provide Center schedules 12 annual art exhibitions mountain area residents with showcasing nationally accomplished artists as a place to acquire high quality well as artists from the mountain community. Canyon Courier instruction in the arts, to view a wide variety of Following the tradition of the community and of announces art exhibitions and to engage in art activities. In services at Bergen the Evergreen Arts Council, CAE actively sup- Community Church November 2003 that became a reality with the ports the visual and performing arts organizations 1962 lease of a 3,000 square foot facility in Buchanan in the community, including programs with and Hiwan Homestead Park in collaboration with the Evergreen Parks Museum & Bergen Park for area schools. Two of the Art Center’s annual Community Church and Recreation District. events are its Summerfest and Winterfest arts The building started life in the early 1880s as the and crafts family festivals. To locate and contact first Soda Creek School. Located below the junc- the Center: 303-674-0056, 32003B Ellingwood tion of Soda Creek and Highway 65 (Shaf- Trail, Evergreen, CO 80439, PO Box 2737 Ever- fer’s Hill), the small, whitewashed school green, CO 80437, evergreenarts.org was moved into Bergen Park proper. It sported log siding, a front entry and a cupola. Later it became home to

Illustration by Doyle Harrison

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Jefferson County Hall of Fame Joe Tempel Dedicated to public service in Jefferson County or more than 25 years, Joe on the east side of Dinosaur Ridge FTempel has been dedicated to (owned by Jefferson County), the building community in Jefferson Discovery Center on the west side County. of Dinosaur Ridge (owned by the He graduated from Colorado Col- Friends) and many interpretive and lege in 1971 with a bachelor’s de- preservation projects. The Friends gree in biology and from the Uni- also established Triceratops Trail at versity of Colorado in 1973 with Fossil Trace Golf Course, Golden. a master’s degree in Urban and Joe was instrumental in raising the Regional Planning. From 1973 to funds and managing the construc- 2001, he worked for the Colorado tion of the trail, interpretive signs Department of Transportation and protective covers over the di- (CDOT) first as Environmental nosaur, bird and mammal tracks. Manager for the Denver Metro This area was designated part of the Area and later as Modal Programs Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas Na- Manager for the entire state. tional Natural Landmark in 2011. Joe, a founder of Rocky Flats Cleanup Commission in These improvements serve 160,000 people (including 1986, was its president until 1990. The purpose of this 30,000 school children) who visit Dinosaur Ridge/Tricer- nonprofit organization, comprised of scientists, was to re- atops Trail every year. Visitors are educated through profes- view Department of Energy documents that discussed the sionally guided tours of the area and through more than 20 Rocky Flats cleanup. He was also extremely active with the publications produced by the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge. Colorado Coalition for the Prevention of Nuclear War. Its Many, including senior Jefferson County officials, have said purpose was to reduce the chances of nuclear war between that Dinosaur Ridge is one of the premier public education Russia and the U.S. All these efforts were instrumental in facilities in Jefferson County. Joe Tempel can take much of the 1989 closure of Rocky Flats. the credit for this accomplishment. Joe was one of the founders of the Friends of Dinosaur Joe was also one of the founders of the Lariat Loop Heri- Ridge in 1989, founded to preserve the natural history of tage Alliance in 1991. Its purpose was to educate the public Dinosaur Ridge and to educate the public about the di- about the history and natural history along the 40 mile nosaur tracks and bones and the geology of the area. He Loop between Morrison, Golden and Evergreen. Joe served served in various capacities as board member, vice presi- in various capacities as board member, president and ex- dent, president and executive director until his retirement ecutive director. In 2009 Joe was successful in designation in 2014. The success of Dinosaur Ridge can be attributed of Lariat Loop as a National Scenic Byway by the U.S. to the collaboration Joe helped foster among the Friends Department of Transportation. He was instrumental in and such organizations as: Town of Morrison, City of obtaining funds and managing construction of seven inter- Lakewood, City of Golden, Jefferson County, University pretive stops along the Loop. of Colorado, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado Depart- For more information: Dinosaur Ridge, 16831 West Al- ment of Natural Resources, United States Geological Sur- ameda Parkway, Morrison, CO 80465, www.Dinoridge. vey and National Park Service. org and Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway at www.Lari- Joe was responsible for raising funds and managing many atLoop.org. projects on Dinosaur Ridge including the Visitor Center

Historically Jeffco 2016 71 Jefferson County

The Jefferson County Historical Commission (JCHC) The Emeritus Program recognizes retired JCHC members by conferring was established by the Board of County Commissioners special Emeritus status. Candidates are considered for the Emeritus pro- (BCC) in 1974. JCHC members are citizen volunteers gram for their JCHC community service, offices held during their tenure appointed by the BCC and equally represent all areas of on JCHC and their outstanding support of JCHC historical and edu- the county. JCHC’s mission is to preserve, protect and cational programs. Emeritus membership is a life-time honorary status; celebrate Jefferson County’s heritage. We invite you to get honorees are not eligible to hold office, but may serve on committees, involved in helping us meet our mission. participate in JCHC activities and help advance its mission. Programs and Projects The Speakers’ Bureau schedules JCHC representatives to talk with your Historically Jeffco magazine is produced annually by JCHC businesses, civic clubs, church groups, schools or other organizations free with each year’s edition released in late October. Ideas for ar- of charge! ticles and submissions from the public are always welcome. The Placenames Directory is a database containing a list of historical Send to: [email protected]. names and places associated with the County’s history. Today that database Historically Jeffco is available free of charge to members of contains more than 3,000 records and is available at: jeffco.us/placenames. Jefferson County historical societies, Jeffco schools and -li braries. Back copies of the magazine may be purchased for Friends of the Jefferson County Historical Commission $6 plus tax at Jeffco Planning and Zoning and Jeffco Ar- Friends of the Jefferson County Historical Commission is a separate entity chives. The JCHC website provides down-loadable copies formed to raise money to assist with JCHC goals and programs. Dona- of the magazine dating back to 1988. planning.jeffco.us, tions have come from the Good News Breakfast award, activities associ- Boards and Commissions—Historical Commission. ated with the Opening of the West Line, honorariums for speaking on behalf of JCHC and donations from groups that received back issues of Historic Preservation Symposium is an annual event where Historically Jeffco. “Friends” helped sponsor the publication of the Chief JCHC partners with a host community to discuss topics of Colorow book, published in 2015, with an almost 50% return on the in- current interest in the historic preservation community. vestment. Donations to the Friends of the JCHC are tax deductible. The The Landmark Program established in 2003 encourages “Friends” tax deductible number is 45 - 26 38972. County residents to nominate, with the property owners HistoricJeffco.org consent, historically significant buildings, sites, structures and districts. Jeffco Landmarks are recognized at the An- HistoricJeffco.org web site provides downloadable copies of all issues of nual Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony with a Certificate of Historically Jeffco magazine as well as direct links to most historical soci- Designation. The owner is also eligible to participate in the eties, museums, resource pages, city and county information and other Landmark plaque program. sources for historical information. Norm and Ethel Meyer Award for Historic Preservation Contacting JCHC recognizes individuals, groups, private and public busi- Contact JCHC at Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Division, which nesses and organizations that have made significant contri- provides support for JCHC, as does the Archives Office (IT Services). The butions to the preservation of important brick and mortar JCHC website, planning.jeffco.us, Boards and Commissions—Historical type projects which typically include buildings, structures, Commission, has additional information on Jeffco’s history and historic sites, features or objects. The Meyer Award is presented at preservation, plus applications for JCHC membership and all forms, min- the Annual Hall of Fame Awards Celebration. Applications utes and agendas. For additional JCHC information, please contact: Den- are available on-line at the JCHC website. nis Dempsey at 303-271-8734 or email [email protected]. Send mail to JCHC c/o Planning and Zoning, Suite 3550, 100 Jefferson County Writers’ Award Program is the annual contest for writers Parkway, Golden, CO 80419, or email jeffersoncountyhistoricalcommis- of articles relating to the history of Jefferson County. The [email protected]. Facebook page: www.facebook.com/JeffCoHistory/. For winning articles receive a cash award at the Annual Hall archival information, contact Archivist Ronda Frazier, CA, archivist@jef- of Fame Ceremony and may be published in the annual fco.us or call 303-271-8448, Archives, Laramie Building, 3500 Illinois Historically Jeffco magazine. St., Suite 2350, Golden, CO 80401.

72 Historically Jeffco 2016 2016 Jeffco Historical Commission Members

Deborah Andrews, 2000 – Founder Andrews and Margaret Chapman, 2007 – Editor, Historically Jeffco. Lee Katherine Goldstein, 2016 – Attorney at Richard Gardner, 2005 – Past President of Golden Anderson Architecture specializing in Historic Jefferson County Public Trustee 2007–present. Bachelor Fairfield and Woods, PC, in Denver. Researches Landmarks Association. M.A. in History from the Preservation. Lives on Lookout Mountain. of Journalism, University of Missouri School of Journal- and writes about Jefferson County history. Lives University of Colorado at Denver. Lives in Golden. ism. Lives in unincorporated Jefferson County. in Genesee.

Tom Keefe, 2015 – Recently relocated to Jeffco Bonnie Scudder, 2015 – 5th generation Coloradan, for- Max Lankston, 2014, Secretary – Owner of the Mary Lindsey, 2010, Chair – Former City Council from Rhode Island. High school teacher, historian mer teacher, administrator; Ph.D. University of Colorado. Octagon House for 40 years and Indian Hills member, Westminster. Westminster Historical and writer. Author, historian and resident of Shaffers Crossing in Pine. historian. Society member. Lives in Westminster.

Emeritus Members Robert Briggs, 2009-2011 Erlene Hulsey-Lutz, 1986-2010* Norman Meyer, 1986-2010* Dave Nelson, 2008-2012 Kathryn Ordway, 2006-2011 Jack Raven, 1997-2011 Milly Roeder, 1995-2013 Burdette “Bud” Weare, 2003-2012 Nina Kite, 2004-2015 Stan Moore, 2004-2008 Rita Peterson, 1981 – Chairman of the Hall of Cynthia Shaw, 2010 – Vice Chair. Director, Leda Thaler, 2016 – Former marketing and * Deceased Fame and Writers’ Award. Member, Board of Direc- Boettcher Mansion. Founder of the Colorado Arts communications director. B.S. Journalism, M.B.A. tors, Senior Resource Center. Lives in Lakewood. & Crafts Society. M.A., Architectural History & Pres- Volunteer at Lakewood Heritage Center. Lives in ervation (University of Virginia). Lives in Arvada. Lakewood. Commission Staff County Commissioners

Dennis Dempsey Ronda Frazier Libby Szabo , District 1 Casey Tighe , District 2 Donald Rosier , District 3

Historically Jeffco 2016 73 Jefferson County Historical Commission Prsrt Stdd Planning and Zoning, Suite 3550 U.S. Postage PAID 100 Jefferson County Parkway Permit #148 Golden, CO 80419 Golden, CO

Burt Zeigler’s Continental Oil Station was built at a cost of $40,000 at the northwest corner of Wadsworth Boulevard and Grandview Avenue and featured smartly attired attendants. Arvada Historical Society

74 Historically Jeffco 2016