Published by: THE JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION Volume 10, Issue 18, 1997

HHISTORICALLYISTORICALLY JJEFFCOEFFCO

1921 National Championships—Genesee Mountain Cover Story: A History of Skiing in Jefferson County—Page 6 THE JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION

The Jefferson County Historical Commission was established Jeffco , the annual magazine of JCHC.They also publish and by a Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners on distribute brochures on historical sites. July 22, 1974.The initial purpose was to guide the obser- The Hall of Fame Committee has established a gallery of vances of the Centennial-Bicentennial year of 1976, when the people at the Jefferson County Government Center. Citizen JCHC provided plaques for 25 sites of historical significance nominations of significant individuals, living or deceased, are in the county and originated the “Festival of the West.” Its selected by a panel of three judges (outside the county).The mission has always been to educate citizens about the history committee also honors sites that have been accepted in the of Jefferson County. National Register of Historic Places. Fifteen voting and six alternate JCHC members volunteer The Historic Grants Committee helps process grant 5-20 hours monthly to “inspire, encourage, and develop a applications for submission to the Colorado Historical Fund. local history record.” They assist local museums, promote They assist applicants with format and content, verify appli- historic preservation and restoration, support and work with cant information, and present recommendations to the the Jefferson County Archivist, and maintain a publishing Board of County Commissioners. program. Most of the work is done through the Budget, Since 1988, the Place Names Committee has been devel- By-laws, Education, Publications, Grants, Preservation, oping a database approaching 2000 historical sites in Jeffer- Library, Place Names, and Hall of Fame Committees. son County that will become available to the public in 1998. The Publications Committee manage s an annual “Writer’s Since 1974, the JCHC has planned, coordinated, and Award Contest” to attract and reward citizens for historical completed the following projects: (continued on page 37) research. Most contest winners are published in Historically

COMMISSION MEMBERS

Mary Bindner— Sharon Carr, JCHC Donald E. Ebner, Jane Munro Gardner, Liz Priest Grady, Viona Mae Hader, JCHC Chairperson, since 1974. Chair JCHC since 1990, JCHC since 1974, JCHC since 1991, JCHC since 1985, on Commission elect 1998. Civic & Past Chair Hall of twice past Chair, Corresponding Sec- Golden Historian. since 1974. Lived in political activities: Fame; Writing past Secretary, Hall retary. Numerous Past Secretary/ Jeffco 36 years. Lakewood City Awards, Placenames, of Fame honoree JCHC Committees. Manager of the Real Estate Broker. Council, Mayor Grants Committees; 1993. Woman of Jeffco Cancer Cru- Golden Chamber Lakewood City Pro Tem, Lakewood Chair Historic the Year Award sade & Easter Seal of Commerce; past Council. “Festival Sis ter City, Lakewood Preservation 1990. Contributor Chair; Chair, R-1 Curator for the of West” 21 years. Historical Society. Committee. to From Scratch. Pre-planning; Presi- Astor Hotel Currently an Retired Executive. dent Colorado Museum. Inde pendent Travel Symphony Guild. Agent. Historic photo shows a scene along Bear Creek near Morrison. Photo Courtesy of Golden DAR Pioneer Museum

Max W. Haug, Erlene Hulsey-Lutz, Dorothy Lombard, Carole Lomond, Marcetta Rhoads Lutz, Norman Meyer, JCHC 1997. Past JCHC since 1986, JCHC since 1981, JCHC 1997. Pub- JCHC since 1987, JCHC since 1986, President: Olde past Chair. Com- Past Chair, lisher City and Past Chair. Place- past Recording Town Arvada mittees: Education, Corresponding & Mountain Views, names Committee Secretary, Place- Assn., Forward Publications, Hall Recording Secre- a news magazine Chair. Hall of names and Grants Arvada, Arvada of Fame, Grants tary. Committees: for Mt. Vernon Fame honoree Committees. Jour- Community Chair. Real Estate Placenames, Hall Canyon. Writing 1996. Committee nalist, traveler, Resources, and Broker. of Fame & a book of area chair for three pilot, photograph- Arvada Historical Education/Library. history. JCHC Arvada history er. Conifer rancher Society. Real Estate Assisted with From Publications books. for 47 years. Native Agent 1954-1996. Scratch. Committee. Coloradan. CONTENTS

Golden in the 19th Century ...... 4

Mountains of Memories, Mountains of Dreams— A History of Skiing in Jefferson County 6 ......

The Search for Bradford ...... 15

Some Historical Organizations in Jefferson County ...... 18

Jeffferson County Historic Hall of Fame ...... 22

Betty Moynihan, Rita Peterson, Jack Raven, JCHC Ruth Richardson, Milly Roeder, Kevin Rucker, JCHC since 1980, JCHC since 1981, 1997, Recording JCHC since 1983, JCHC since 1995. JCHC 1997. past Secretary & present Treasurer & Secretary. Past numerous JCHC Editor, Historically History writer/ Editor Historically past Chairman. President: Arvada committees. Jeffco . Assisted researcher/educa- Jeffco. Education/ Vice Chairman & Historical Society, Active with local, with county’s tor Red Rocks Schools Commit- Secretary for Arvada Lions county and state historic preserva- Comm. College tee. Contributor Hall of Fame Club & Arvada PTA. Member tion resolution. and CU Denver. to From Scratch . Committee. Cemetery Associa- Jeffco Citizens for Numerous JCHC Fort Lupton Well published Past Editor of tion. Safeway Public Schools. committees. Historic Preserva- historian. Historically Jeffco. Manager 26 Years. Wheat Ridge resi- National Register tion Board. dent over 80 yrs. nominations. Four Historic Sites in Jeffco Added to National Register of Historic Places ...... 24

Dream Catcher: A Brief History of the John Brisben Walker Legacy 27 ......

Preservation by “Downzoning” ...... 34

Jefferson County Historic Commission Writer’s Award Contest ...... 37

JCHC Publications Committee Erlene Hulsey-Lutz, Chair

Milly Roeder, Editor Historically Jeffco Layout and Design Carole Lomond, Assistant Editor by Fine Print Brochures & Photography

DENNIS POTTER This 1997 annual edition of Historically during the 1970s. Jeffco is dedicated to Dennis Potter, whose After graduating tireless efforts produced 17 editions from from Colorado State 1985, when he was first appointed to the Jef- University with a ferson County Historical Commission, until degree in English and his resignation in 1996. He promoted the Education, Potter writing contest, found photographs, judges, taught English Litera- Richard Simmons, JCHC Staff— printers and distributors, and prepared the ture at Jefferson High JCHC 1997. Place- Duncan McCol- magazine for printing. School. He then joined the Jefferson County names committee. lum, Director & Potter was born in Denver in 1949 to Sheriff’s Department, where he is in his 27th Branch Manager Susan Casteleneto, Maurice, a WWII combat veteran, and year of service. He is a Lieutenant in com- and Principal for Secretary, Archives Patricia, whose mother manufactured bullets mand of patrol operations in southeast Jeffer- Sunamerica Securi- and Records Man- at the Jefferson County Remington Arms son County. He lives in Morrison with his ties. Pilot and agement. Plant. The family moved to Golden in 1953 wife Susan and his son John. flight instructor. where Maurice helped build Golden’s first His interest and commitment to preserva- recreation center and organized the youth tion inspired his extraordinary service to the basketball programs. In 1967, Potter Historical Commission and to the Jefferson graduated from Golden High School where County Cultural Council, on which he his mother taught English and Speech served from 1995 to 1997. Damir Makic, a twelve year old Bosnian immigrant, writes a brief history of his new home town. GOLDEN in the 19th Century Photo by Steve Larson

Golden today (above), compared with Golden in the 19th century (left) Photo Courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society n 1859, The Boston Party, a real Lots of people started coming to also very good politicians. There were estate developer with lots of Golden and it was obvious that the no violent incidents but Goldenites Ivisions, came to what was then Boston Party started something good. did consider themselves to have more John Smith’s trading post and settled br ainpower. there. They saw a beautiful country GROWTH OF GOLDEN Goldenites began making better with lots of space and unlimited Most of the people who came to bridges across Clear Creek, and wagon opportunities. Because this territory Golden were young. They had new trail roads were protected. Golden was near the mining fields, the Boston ideas and were trying to make Golden Party decided to form a city. the principal city of the Pikes Peak A PERSONAL NOTE On June 16, 1895, the Boston Party Region. Their competitors were TO THE READER: held a meeting and decided to form Auraria and Denver, but Golden had My name is Damir The Golden Town Company. The the advantage of having mines located Makic. I have been in meeting was short and all members nearby. this country for one agreed. On June 20th, another meeting In the Pikes Peak Region, Golden year.When I saw the was held for questions and suggestions was the chief center of enterprise city of Golden for the first time, I of workers. This session was held in a along with Cherry Creek, Auraria and became interested in it. I came to this tent used for gambling during the Denver. Both Golden and Cherry country from Bosnia with my mother week and church on Sunday. Creek were large communities for their and my brother; my father came later. While the starters of this idea were time and both were proud and jealous We left Bosnia looking for a new life people with visions, many pioneers of each other. These cities did not and to get away from the horrifying were attracted to the site as well, and have a good neighbor policy and they sights of the war that has been going Golden City was born. The 1,200 acre did not agree on anything. This rivalry on now for four years. piece of land, mostly on the south partially split early settlers into two dif- My work at school is great. I have side of Clear Creek, was appropriated ferent camps. In this race, Goldenites straight A’s and my teacher always for the city. considered themselves better for indus- tells me that my English is excellent Building progressed rapidly. Most trial development. The Goldenites’ considering the time I’ve been here. materials were coming from the confidence in themselves and in their The author is a winner of the 1996 sawmill the people brought with them. town was unlimited. Goldenites were Youth Writer’s Award Contest. -4- grew very fast. At the end of 1859, to cut down the cost. GOLDEN ON TOP FOR THE Goldenites claimed to have a popula- It was in 1870, when the Union SECOND TIME tion of over 700. The pioneers of Pacific Railroad was opened. Mr. Love- Golden was at the top again. The Golden, the Boston Party, were very land, with his associates, had the sup- economy was better and better and proud of their results. The Goldenites’ port of Goldenites and began to Golden was growing. The fields were hard work was finally recognized in improve the Union Pacific Railroad. growing, mills were built and coal 1862 when Golden became the capital When transit began to grow, Golden- mines were opened. Everything was of Colorado Territory. It stayed the ites adopted a new kind of resolution. great. Five large plants were built along capital until 1867, when Denver took This railroad brought the new enthusi- the railway and people were getting the name of the capital. asm to Golden and it began the process jobs. Everybody in Golden was trying Everyone thought that Golden was of improvement. Vacant buildings to contribute to the town. Golden was named after one on its feet again! Just when it thought of the earliest pio- that hard times where gone, it was neers of Jefferson shaken for life. The railroad officials, County, Thomas jealous of the success of Golden, Golden. It relocated the railroad headquarters appears that this and centered it in Denver. That was might have been the end of Golden’s fame. an error. It was actually na med GOLDEN IN 1996 after the land of Golden still lies between the moun- Pikes Peak. tains like it used to, but now it is not recognized the same way. Golden was

RAILROADS IN Photo courtesy of Golden DAR Pioneer Museum jealously robbed of its railroad but it GOLDEN The old Courthouse in Golden in approximately 1872 can never be robbed of its history After Golden was because of people like the writer who named the capital of Colorado Territo- became occupied and the price of land want it to last forever. ry, Golden’s first pioneer, Mr. A.H. began to increase. The town grew rapid- Loveland, wanted to boost Golden’s ly. The railroad made a real difference. morale by finishing its railway. To Golden City settlement circa 1860 Photo courtesy of Golden DAR Pioneer Museum build this railway, Loveland employed Denver’s men at his own expense. These men were building the route from Denver to Golden, and then to Clear Creek County and Central City. While building the railway, Loveland was pressured by railroad officials about conflict in routing the rail- way. Under this pressure, Loveland said that he would shorten the roads MOUNTAINS OF MEMORIES, MOUN A History of Skiing in Jefferson County by John McMillin

Before Vail, Aspen, and Steamboat Springs lured skiers away to deeper snow, longer ski trails and seasons, the cradle of Colorado skiing was in Jefferson County. Few of today’s residents are aware that some of the most ambitious, and improbable, ski resorts were proposed.

In the early years, a day on the For some, it barely demanded a trip Colorado’s first sit-down ski lift slopes didn’t begin with a 60-mile into the mountains. Residents of and the first artificial snowmaking drive over the Continental Divide. foothills communities like Evergreen system in the western United States actually drove east, into the rising began in Jefferson County. Beginning sun, to enjoy a day of skiing. in the 1920s, lift-served ski areas and notable ski jumps welcoming raw beginners and national champions. National tournaments thrilled fans of up to 8,000 with the spectacle of ski jumping.

Boosters tried to put their best face on Genesee Mountain’s of the country is it possible to ski a good course while the frequent lack of snow. In an article entitled,“The Ski Riders of spectators can seat themselves on dry ground without wraps. Genesee,” one sports writer claimed,“Professional ski jumpers It was necessary to haul and pack snow for the course at the like to come to Denver for the reason that in no other section time of the Interstate Tournament.” Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library,Western History Collection TAINS OF DREAMS

Despite the historic significance of most elaborate, Jefferson County skiing, few records they were close have been compiled of the birth, life, enough to Den- and death of its ski areas. It has been ver’s bright said that history is written by the lights that “one winners of its conflicts. By that stan- can mingle his dard, Jeffco’s ski areas, with the sports and his exception of the pioneering jump at sporting life.” Genesee, are little-remembered losers. Today, names Very little information about the and places like ghost ski areas of Jeffco are available Homewood in the catalogued materials of the Park, Fun Valley, Colorado Ski Museum, the Colorado and Magic Historical Society, and the Denver Mountain are Public Library’s Western History col- nearly forgotten, lection. and memories One slim brochure, See and Ski in of those who Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library,Western History Collection Colorado , published sometime after skied there are fading. Development slopes using oversized roller skates. 1966, mentions several small ski areas has changed some of those sites During these heady years of expan- “that lie like a necklace around the beyond recognition—one has been sion, leisure time blossomed into throat of the city, east of the gobbled up by a rock quarry. new industries and pastimes. divide.” While these minor- After World War II, the dreams of Wherever there was a slope in Jeffer- league ski areas were not the local entrepreneurs snowballed to son County, there was an access include chairlift-served golf courses road, hope for snowfall, and a ski and downhill rides on grass area… at least in the minds of

John McMillin, first prize winner in the 1996 writing contest, has been a Jeffer- son County journalist for eight years. He is currently with the Jefferson Sentinel covering Lakewood. He moved from Tennessee to Denver in 1978. As he prepares to publish a book on early ski areas, he welcomes the input of interested citizens. -7- IN THOSE DAYS SKIING MEANT JUMPING

The Genesee ski course was long enough for moderate-length jumps. In dry win- ters, when snow had to be hauled in to cover the course, it was just a straight ribbon of white, with no room for skiers to turn right or left. But at jumping speeds, on free- heeled equipment, a turn was the last thing most of those early skiers wanted to try. In the early days at Genesee, the lack of effec- tive turning techniques prompted Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library, Western History Collection skiers to jump and coast to a stop hopeful entrepreneurs. The miracle Dr. M. R. Howard helped build a in a straight line. of snowmaking seemed to put skiing ski jump with materials at hand. Josephine Shelton remembers within everyone’s reach, encouraging Some painters loaned their ladders her sister’s amazement at Arlberg hopeful developers in their quest to to form a base for the platform. Club instructors teaching “down- “bring the mountain to Mohammed” Tournaments were held there for mountain” techniques, including by bringing skiing to the fringes of several years, but the view of snow- telemark and Christiania turns, on the city. blanketed hills to the west, so promi- Rilliet Hill of Lookout Mountain nent from the brink on Inspiration (a slope created by members of INSPIRATION POINT Point, eventually drew the skiers’ the Colorado Mountain Club). It Historians trace the beginning of ambitions westward. turned out to be the wave of the organized Rocky Mountain skiing to future for 99 percent of the world a modest promontory that rises GENESEE of skiing. But that day,“She thought above the urban flatlands overlook- MOUNTAIN they were poor skiers.They ing Clear Creek and has a panoramic The first Jefferson County ski area weren’t jumping.” view of the peaks and foothills of the was at the most accessible high site Louis Dalpes was a jumper, not Front Range (near to the west in Mt. Ver- a turner.“I never got much of a Sheridan and I-70). non Canyon (now I-70) thrill out of that… and I was never The site is covered One of the memorable at Genesee Mountain. a pleasure skier. It got so doggone with homes today, gimmicks of the 1920 The Denver Rocky crowded.” His eyes glisten with but the blizzard of Genesee competition Mountain Ski Club, a excitement as he recalls,“I liked to December 4, 1913 was a race between spin-off of the Col- fly through the air, and hear those covered Inspiration a skier and an orado Mountain Club, cameras clicking.” Point and all of “aeroplane.” had held ski jump com- However, one Denver Post Denver with deep Unremarkably, the petitions at Inspiration writer was more impressed at snow that stopped flying machine won. Point, down in dusty the poise of the Arlberg Club’s streetcars, wagons Denver. The search for ski instructor, an Italian lieutenant and most pedestri- better snow led them named M.Albizzi.“It is a sight to ans in their tracks. But not Carl to build a jump next to Denver be remembered to see him coast- Howelson, a “professional ski rider,” Mountain Park’s first purchase Gene- ing down a hill at breakneck who wowed Denverites with his see Mountain. They anticipated “the speed, suddenly to check and mobility, “while a snowbound city greatest performers on the Norwe- come down sideways, reverse, looked on, marveled and admired.” gian show” to demonstrate their and ski the other way.” Howelson, Bo Johnson, and aerial skills. -8- “Menefee Howard and B.O. John- course while standing up. Nei- son decided they needed a ski club, ther of the two competitors and within a year they put on a succeeded. national tournament,” recalls But Shelton later gave in to Josephine Shelton, who saw it all take the perilous temptations of the place. The newly named Denver Win- ski jump. At the Fourth of July ter Sports Club commenced the con- tournament at St. Mary’s Glaci- struction of a jumping course in 1919. er, she and her female friends Denver Municipal Facts announced said, “By gum, why don’t we “The Romantic Riders of the Moun- go for it.” She did just that, tains to hold their National Tourna- making a 31-foot jump. ment in Genesee Park next Winter.” She believes the ski jump at They planned to offer a longer Genesee “really put Colorado jump by building a ramp east of the on the map.” Certainly the summit. A warming house offered events drew avid fans. At an “dainty Norwegian pastry gems” like All-Western Tournament in “fatiman” and “sanbagels.” Josephine 1926, skiers and spectators had Shelton remembers her first ski days to trudge a quarter-mile with still-evident pride. When she through two-foot-deep snow. took up the sport at Genesee in According to the Denver Post, 1920, she had to become one of the about 2,000 showed up in Mt. few women who skied as “one of the Vernon Canyon which was esti- boys.” Today, at age 87, her walk mated to hold 30,000 specta- remains quick and confident, and her tors. Shelton said some ski fans memories clear. Her father intro- took the streetcar to Golden, duced her to the fledgling sport. “He rode the funicular railway up was that kind of person,” she said. Lookout Mountain, and then “He had a car very early on, and we walked several miles to the would all go out camping and fish- Genesee course for an event. ing. At the Kiwanis Club, we were Some records indicate as Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library,Western History Collection invited to go up to Genesee to ski, many as four jumps existed at Genesee Mountain ski area, with spectators and he took the whole family up. Genesee. The longest was said seated where I-70 is currently located. What we got for Christmas was skis.” to be 2,000 feet, with a verti- Fear wasn’t a factor, she says. “The cal drop of 700 feet. A new course Genesee, that “the snow quit.” way women were skiing those days, it record was set with a 117-foot long Although 8,000 attended the 1933 would have been sissy to be afraid. jump in 1922. One of 125 competitors Denver Post Tournament, an undated We didn’t do much, we just walked stretched up to 152-feet in 1931, but story reported that the club disband- around in the snow.” At the 1921 only 1,000 spectators were on hand. ed and the jump at Genesee fell into meet, the women’s competition con- Josephine Shelton recalls that it was disuse—until 1950, when Denver Uni- sisted of simply skiing down the near the end of the big meets at versity ski coach Willy Schaeffler

LOUIE DALPES VERSUS A MODEL T?

Louie Dalpes can’t recall the year, but other details of slope’s runout, Dalpes suddenly saw a motorist about a hair-raising incident remain distinct. Spectators to cross the run on a collision course. He flung him- reached the parking lot at Homewood Park by a self down flat to the snow like a ball player sliding snowy driveway that crossed the ski run below the toward home plate and slid underneath the passing jump. Dalpes was the first competitor of the day, and Model T. He emerged untouched except for a the ramp had just been modified for a more power- wrenched ankle sustained from his ski snagging a tire. ful launch. After Dalpes soared for a record jump, he No one else ever sailed from that jump. It was short- “lit clear at the break of the hill.” Rocketing down the ened before the second competitor took his turn.

-9- proposed to renovate and reopen the In 1931, sportswriters promoted “the senior housing development in jump “after a 20-year absence.” outstanding ski artists” at a Home- Wheat Ridge, just down the street College tournaments were held at wood meet. A South Dakota man from the Volant ski factory. When the revived slope in 1954, 1955, 1956. won with a 174-foot jump, but the asked, Dalpes is happy to demon- Dalpes served as a judge. Although star attraction was “the world’s lead- strate the jumping form he used to the Denver Rocky Mountain Ski ing woman skier,” Johanna Kolstad, a win nearly a dozen championships, Club originally had taken a 99-year Norwegian known for jumps of 180 with jumps of up to 245-feet. He lease on the site, Peder Pytte, a veter- feet or more. puts his heels together and bends for- an ski racer now with Volant Ski in Kolstad’s jump at Homewood ward at the waist. When he’s done Wheat Ridge, remembers 1956 as the Park gained drama in mid-air. Caught and he stands up, his head rises only last year of skiing there. by a gust of wind, she seemed to be an inch or two. Ninety-five years of Shelton’s mother preserved time seem to have frozen the many newspaper accounts of the champion into his competition growth of the ski-jump circuit, stance. including tournaments and events Dalpes was a local favorite for at Genesee, Homewood Park, Jarre the 1932 Winter Olympics, but an Canyon, Estes Park, Hot Sulphur injury kept him off the team. He Springs, and Steamboat Springs. As jumped at sites all over Colorado, the sport grew and transportation but liked Homewood Park best. improved, skiers began to favor “That was a beautiful hill,” he those faraway mountains on the remembers. Western Slope where ample snow Today, the Erickson’s cobble- cover was rarely a concern. But Photo courtesy of Norm Meyer stone ski lodge is a residence with Shelton always liked Genesee best. JCHC member Norm Meyer tobogganing with a stone archway marking the site. Why? “It was the people,” she said. his family at Meyer Ranch ski area in the 1950’s. A public ice-skating pond was popular there until 1969, when a HOMEWOOD PARK about to “pancake” down to the flood from the failure of “illegal” Homewood Park flourished long ground. “While the crowd held its dams upstream “wiped out every- ago, when the primary industry in breath,” wrote a sports writer, “the thing,” one local resident recalls. Aspen was hard-rock mining. Profes- Norwegian Sensation called on every sional jumping competitions and trick in her repertoire and executed a MEYER RANCH races were held at Homewood Park miraculous recovery to sail out in a Many Jeffco ski areas vanished beginning in 1928. beautiful jump of 106 feet. It was the without a trace, but not the one at Two Scandinavians, Leif and thrill of the day.” Meyer Ranch, which peaked in popu- Andrew Erickson, were happy to host When the Homewood Denver Ski larity in the 1940s. On current maps the new sporting fad at their ranch, Club held their 14th annual tourna- of the Jeffco Meyer Open Space about five miles above the mouth of ment in February, 1942. Dalpes and Park, the “Old Ski Run Trail” is South Deer Creek Canyon. Historic local ski maker Thor Groswald were marked near the southern boundary. photos of the Shelton album show a judges. Groswald’s son, Thor Jr., The course ran along the mountain- formidably steep jumping hill, with recorded the shortest jump, just 44 side and had a scant vertical drop of no lifts. “A full day at a Homewood feet, in his under age 15 category, but about 150-feet. Park meet included a practice run and only half of his 16 competitors fin- What drew skiers to this modest three jumps for a score,” said Dalpes ished. Evidently, the jump had been hill? It may have been the horse- who was a perennial favorite at the tamed since the days of Kolstad’s drawn sleigh, a low-tech answer to meets there. Skiers might climb the exploits. The longest jump in the the skier’s eternal struggle to escape hill a half-dozen times, with each adult A Class was 88 feet. More omi- gravity’s pull. ascent taking about 30 minutes. They nously, only five competitors (includ- After Covert Hopkins started the had to have strong legs as well as ing Jerry Groswald, recently retired “Watson’s” slope nearby, he promot- bold hearts. In its heyday, a friendly 30-year director of Winter Park), were ed a ski hill as “Mount Lugo.” It rivalry developed between the Denver entered in the marquee event, accord- operated seasonally in 1940 and 1941, Rocky Mountain and Homewood ing to an event program displayed at but closed when wartime gas Denver Ski Clubs, fanned by publicity the Colorado Ski Museum. rationing prevented most skiers from and sponsorship by the Denver Post. Today, Louie Dalpes lives in a taking weekend pleasure trips. -10- PENCE PARK found the narrow, unpaved, moun- it “wasn’t really going full gear. We Skiing was an informal activity tain road full of unplowed snow too had a nice time up there. I made cof- back when lifts were a rare luxury. intimidating. He and a companion fee and people brought sack lunches.” Jessie Kirk of Kittredge recalls days of turned around, never to return. She looked into the possibility of winter fun at Pence Park, a clearing In 1969, Fun Valley offered a J-bar snowmaking, but never installed it. near the top of Meyers Gulch Road, Poma lift and a rope tow which could “We usually had enough natural snow some time around 1954. He recalls, transport 1,500 skiers per hour. It for beginners,” she recalls. “There was no real ski run, but off placed the area in the first ranks of Bussard is proud that her three the road they had pretty good ski- Colorado’s second-string ski areas. Ski- daughters, who learned to ski at Fun ing.” Inner tubes and toboggans ing continued at Fun Valley after dark Valley, are still carving up slopes. offered further thrills. under lights. It became a convenient “That little hill served them very well,” But success spoiled Pence Park. “It she said. For Christmas, Bussard gave went on until the 1970s, but they each daughter two lift chairs from the had to stop. Parking became a prob- HOW ski hill they once called home. lem,” Kirk said. SNOWMAKING BEGAN Legend says it was closed down in 1977. On a Saturday afternoon in FUN VALLEY George “Lefty” McDonald recalls December, 1995, the ski area was In the foothills above Deer Creek, the venture he launched in 1958, being undeveloped. Two dogs ran Fun Valley was first developed by as the Foothills Ski Corporation. beside a pickup truck that coasted Horace Watson, a former boxer. His company leased about 60 down the hill, loaded with faded blue Though well off the beaten path, it acres south of the present Alpine chairs salvaged from the single-seat was a nursery for fledgling skiers for Slide (Heritage Square) then lift. Current owner Joe Dorris was three decades. Initially, it offered the known as Magic Mountain.They selling the chairs as souvenirs, cash- then innovative Poma lift as uphill brought in standard water hoses ing in on Fun Valley’s legacy. transportation. and irrigation rigs, and attached Dorris plans to leave Fun Valley’s Located six miles up Deer Creek their secret weapon—a patented Poma lift intact in case a future Canyon on Watson Gulch Road, adja- spray nozzle, developed by a buyer wants something to play with. cent to today’s Jeffco Deer Creek Massachusetts irrigation firm. Open Space Park, Fun Valley was a “The concept evolved by acci- MAGIC MOUNTAIN short distance from Homewood Park dent,” McDonald said.“They had By pioneering the art of artificial and “Watson’s Ski Hill” which opened been spraying trees at below- snowmaking, Magic Mountain left its in the winter of 1938-39, according to freezing temperatures and got mark on all of today’s major ski Lou Hopkins. Tobogganing and “walk- snow.” When McDonald assem- areas. Ironically, after the lifts and ski up” skiing had taken place there for bled the parts, he made history trails vanished, so did the mountain several years before. for building the first snowmaking beneath them—it is now the Western But when Lou’s father, Covert system in the western U.S., and Aggregates quarry pit. Hopkins, built a sled-style tow there, one of the first anywhere.And During the winter of 1958, “Lefty” it was a big step ahead. The only he had created a ski slope where McDonald recalls, “We didn’t get other mechanized lift in the state was no one expected such a thing, in much help from Mother Nature. a humble rope tow at Berthoud Pass. the foothills of the Rockies off You’d look up there and see this The custom-designed sled at Watson’s Colfax Avenue. splash of white on the brown. But carried 12 to 15 people, sitting or (with snowmaking) we built up a base standing on their skis. A mine hoist of about two feet.” Eventually, “Magic at the hilltop provided motor power after-work alternative still not duplicat- Mountain went over pretty well.” Up for a cable. Despite the innovation, ed today, especially since Eldora ski to a hundred skiers a day, and about Watson cut Hopkins out of the area, near Boulder, turned off its lights. 5,000 that year, sampled the lighted, action after the first year and Fun Valley had “a good, protected beginner-oriented slope which mea- changed the name to Fun Valley. slope” and “no crowds at all,” remem- sured 1,100 feet long. There were two Louie Dalpes recalls how he once bers Groswald. But its ownership rope tows to conquer the 150-foot tried to drive over the ridge to Fun changed over the years. Leonard and vertical drop. The future looked Valley from Homewood Park. The Shirley Roy took charge for a while. brighter when the Denver Post spon- man who once jumped nearly the Peggy Bussard has fond memories of sored a learn-to-ski program at Magic length of a football field on skis operating Fun Valley in 1968-69 when Mountain, to compete with a training -11- program at Arapahoe Basin sponsored tain? Over Buffalo Bill’s dead body! EVERGREEN BASIN by the Rocky Mountain News. In 1968, plans were announced for Thirty miles west of Denver, O. J. “We knew that Magic Mountain a new, year-round resort on the west Stransky envisioned turning his 970- would never be a bonanza, by any side of Lookout Mountain, near the acre ranch near the Brook Forest stretch of the imagination, but if it Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave. The Hotel into an Alpine bonanza. “Ever- was well-promoted, it would certainly Denver Post described the site as green Basin” boasted three chair lifts break even,” he said. seven-tenths of a mile from U.S. to serve runs of up to two miles long. But even more quickly than Highway 40. The proposed site was Alas, it turned out to be only a boast. McDonald’s snow guns created designed for beginners and intermedi- The project was ambitious, aiming instant winter, the magic failed. Finan- ates, with one 45-degree slope for at a resort the size of Winter Park. cial troubles struck the amusement experts. Plans called for a 450-foot Only this one would be better, Stran- park that only a few years before had vertical drop, topping out at 7,550 sky predicted. In a Denver Post fea- been touted as “The New Disney- feet above sea level. Promoter ture, he claimed that his mountain land.” A flurry of liens from unpaid Edward W. Solte promised to open lacked the winds that plagued other contractors buried the business which for the 1969 season. A past owner of ski areas. There was a vertical slope was padlocked for three years. “We the property claimed an average of 1,200 feet, topping out at 10,200 had to buy back our own equipment feet. Thanks to a track that funneled in a public auction,” he said. storms overhead as they passed from But McDonald’s snowmaking O.J. Stransky believes his dream Mt. Evans to the Palmer Divide, the savvy served them once more, as they of Evergreen Basin could still be annual snowfall at the ranch was brought skiing to the foothills of successful.“I would very much never less than 225 inches, he Colorado Springs. By the early 1960s, like to see it developed in my claimed. Once, the ranch received six they had created the largest snowmak- time. If I got the right party feet of snow in four days. But, he ing system in the world, the better to interested, they would jump at notes today, “We used to get more entertain the guests of the Broad- the chance.We don’t have to snow. Winter has gotten periodically moor Hotel. Before it closed in the lie about the snowfall, we’ve nicer all the time.” 1980s, Ski Broadmoor offered one been there since 1918. It’s 45 In August, 1965, Stransky chair lift and three runs, up to a half- minutes from Denver without promised two double chair lifts mile long. The Magic Mountain ski any passes or tunnels.You would be running by mid-winter, run site has since become eaten away could get about two more with more to come. According to by the Western Aggregates quarry pit. hours of skiing per day.” Cervi’s Journal, a lodge would be Stransky claims his mountain built in just 90 days. After that, he GREEN MOUNTAIN could have had “ten times the expected to have overnight facilities Magic Mountain was McDonald’s area that Vail’s got.” But, he for the “Kansas City ski bunch who second choice. “The place where we believes today’s skiers are too want to come out.” really wanted to do it was Green weak and spoiled.“People don’t But by his December deadline, Mountain,” he recalled. It offered have the stamina to ski that far.” Arapahoe National Forest officials longer and steeper north face slopes claimed his planned lift line violated that were perfect for preserving man- their boundaries. Another blow came made snow. But where would the snowfall there of 132 inches but sup- when a $350,000 federal loan fell water come from? That dilemma has plementary snowmaking was planned. through because of the conflict with blocked development there for years, Penciled into the plans was a ski the U. S. Forest Service. As the $1.5 until Lakewood purchased it as an jump, two chair lifts and 13 lighted million project lost its momentum, Open Space Park. runs, but that was only the begin- Stransky is quoted as saying, “They In 1966, the Golden City Council ning. One of the ski runs would are discriminating against us. No voted to supply water to “Ski Golden,” become an 18-hole golf course with doubt about it.” a proposed 270-acre ski area on Green players shooting toward greens down Stransky still speaks darkly about Mountain. But after the initial fanfare, the hill and riding the lift back up. conflicts with his sister over the divi- the project died quietly, leaving no Tennis and swimming rounded out sion of the profits, and a conspiracy public record of when or why it fizzled. the proposed recreational package. among other ski moguls to torpedo Local opposition and lack of funding his plans. “They got the Forest Ser- SKI SKYLINE apparently stopped the Ski Skyline vice in to louse up the corners. They Alpine skiing on Lookout Moun- dream. were about 600 feet off,” he claims. -12- “Legally, Berthoud’s original survey equipment. But some believe it was with two houses as base facilities. should have held, but we don’t go by also a casualty of the “Not-In-My- According to Jump’s wife, Marnie, legalities anymore.” The boundary Backyard” syndrome. some ski activity had taken place line dispute is still unsettled, 30 years Arapahoe East was the brainchild there in previous years. later. “You can’t make the govern- of Larry Jump, who had developed In 1972, Arapahoe East opened ment do a damn with an eight- thing,” he stated. inch base of He sums up man-made the experience snow, recalled with, “I got dis- instructor and gusted.” No lifts resident Peter were ever con- Bates. A Denver structed, but Post story quot- some trails and ed Jump as pre- lift lines were dicting that his cleared. The rem- new venture in nants can still be the foothills seen looking far could become to the southwest more profitable from Bergen Park. than A-Basin Stransky claims a itself. Marnie few skiers sampled Jump remem- the slopes of his bers his goals as Evergreen Basin. more modest. “The South High “There were Rebel Rangers Ski two motives. It Club practiced at was Larry’s idea my ranch. We that it would drew them up the be a feeder area hill with a team Photo courtesy of Josephine Shelton for beginners, of horses.” Arapahoe East’s location, on the north-facing slope of Lininger Mountain east who would Golden artist of Genesee in Mount Vernon Canyon, served as its own advertising visible to eventually go Hal Shelton, who thousands of motorists driving to and from the mountains. on to ski at invented the paint- Arapahoe ed ski trail maps in use today, left Arapahoe Basin 25 years before. He basin. And we wanted to tap into the many skiers scratching their heads. In leased most of the Mt. Vernon market of city skiers.” the summer of 1965, Colorado Ski Canyon land and purchased 15 acres A born innovator, Jump sold lift Country U.S.A. had enough faith in rides up the 550-foot drop by the 20- the proposal to instruct Shelton to cent token, charging one token for include Evergreen Basin on his State Senator Sally Hopper recalls the Poma lift and two for the double statewide map and poster. “Several peo- Arapahoe East as a charming but chair. That idea wasn’t so successful,” ple called me after they went up there amateurish operation. Her daugh- Marnie said. “The American public to try and find it,” Shelton recalls. ters worked at the hill. Marnie didn’t like it. It was a European idea. Jump (wife of owner Larry Jump) And it was a nuisance to collect a ARAPAHOE EAST ran the ski shop and liked to token with every lift ride.” Besides, Arapahoe East’s visibility along I-70 order fashionable ski clothing in according to Bates, an all-day ticket helped make it the best-known of her size. She was sometimes spot- was only $2. There was lighted night Jeffco’s ghost ski areas. Until recent- ted schussing the slope in new skiing. High school and college ly, the lonely lift towers stood as a outfits with the price tags flapping teams practiced there. Jump’s snow- mute reminder of high hopes from in the wind.Then, according to making equipment was never quite 25-years past. Arapahoe East strug- Hopper, she replaced them back enough. Grass showed through in gled valiantly with inconsistent snow- on the sales racks. patches even after the 1983 Christ- fall and insufficient snowmaking mas blizzard, when Arapahoe East -13- boasted the same 36-inch base as Outwardly, Larry Jump remained Editor’s note Aspen Mountain. confident. He believed his scrappy The remains of the Genesee Ski Jump “We had some wonderful snows little ski area still held “tremendous “warming house” chimney is still in tact alongside the entrance road to the Chimney early on. But then came the January potential. With other ski areas Creek condominiums, south of I-70. The thaws, and wind was always a prob- becoming overcrowded and expen- downhill run above the development is also lem,” Marnie recalls. sive, there’s going to be a need for clearly visible from I-70. The Denver Rocky Bates recalls that Arapahoe East an area like Arapahoe East.” Mountain Ski Club built a private lodge, was so popular at one time that 16 In 1982, it operated as Ski Golden, designed by J.J. Benedict (who also designed Chief Hosa Lodge), that remains totally instructors were employed there. borrowing the name of the stillborn intact west of the jump’s summit. It has Skiers’ cars overflowed the small resort proposed earlier for Green served the Mile High Girl Scouts since they parking lot to the Grapevine Road. Mountain. Manager Del Hert’s wor- purchased it for “taxes” during the late 1930s. But after four winters, operations ries about his fickle snowpack were Although the Mt. Vernon Canyon com- munity supported winter skiing at Arapahoe ceased, followed by season-to-season included in an Up the Creek survey East, residents did not want the dramatic uncertainty. of small ski areas. Hert was quoted increase of noise, traffic and parking prob- A dispute in 1978 helped seal the saying, “If it isn’t the wind, it’s the lems that they believed would accompany ski area’s doom. The resort had dang sun. Every time we get a good city residents and tourists to the proposed already lost $400,000 when Jump snowfall, it’ll stick around a few days. year round Alpine Slide. The Board of Jeffer- son County Commissioners approved the petitioned Jefferson County for per- Then I start to sweat.” platting and zoning of residential subdivi- mission to build an “Alpine Slide” to Arapahoe East’s luck bottomed sions Riva Chase, Genesee, and Paradise Hills draw year-round business. “That out in 1983, after young promoter in 1972-73, just as Arapahoe East was born. would allow the area to maintain a Mike Hansen proposed skiing with a Those subdivisions were being developed when the Alpine Slide was proposed in 1978. social facility,” said Jump, with ski long version of in-line skates on grass —Carole Lomond. instruction offered through the Jef- slopes. Marnie Jump recalled, “It ferson County schools. He collected became a sensation. We were over- Research Notes 3,000 signatures on petitions to sup- whelmed with people, way too Personal interviews: port his idea. many.” But that new sport posed its Louie Dalpes, Josephine Shelton, Hal Local attorney Victor Boog repre- own lease and insurance problems, Shelton, Peder Pytte, Thor Groswold Jr., sented Jump. Mt. Vernon Canyon resi- and did not solve the dilemma of Lou Hopkins, Marnie Jump, Sally Hop- per, Peter Bates, Larry & Marnie Jump, dent and attorney Bruce Benson (who the area’s skimpy snow fall. O.J. Stransky, George McDonald, Peggy ran for Governor in 1992) led the Jump offered to sell the area for Bussard, and Jessie Kirk. opposition. A public hearing on the $310,000—“the cheapest ski area in the Published materials: plan “was the most horrible experi- U.S.” In 1995, the land was purchased Denver Post 2/21/71, 8/23/65, 11/10/68; ence of my life,” Marnie Jump by the Medved family who removed Rocky Mountain News 4/18/83, 6/10/95, 11/14/68; Rocky Mountain Journal recalled. “I had never seen such anger the lift towers in 1996. Arapahoe East 11/29/78; Cervi’s Journal 12/22/65; and resistance. It was very discourag- broke even in only one year, 1973, but Mountain Commuter 1983; Denver ing. It made me angry, because we had for the next 11 years, it was “an orphan Municipal Facts Jan-Feb 1922; Golden run such a good, clean family area. waiting for a long, cold winter.” Transcript 11/14/66; Lakewood Sentinel Neighbors who had left their kids for “It was pretty successful for the 11/11/66; Colorado Ski and Winter Statis- tics 1968-77 , Gerald Allen, University of baby-sitting at Arapahoe East showed first two years,” said Marnie Jump. Colorado Business School; Abbott Fay, up at the hearing to rail against any But as development of I-70 continued Ski Tracks in the Rockies, Cordillera further development there. It hurt west, more skiers drove past Arapahoe Press, 1984; Josephine Shelton’s scrap- when they were so hateful to us.” East to bigger resorts with much book album. In one of the most provocative more reliable snow. Denver Post charges, Benson revealed that anoth- columnist Bob Saile endorsed Jump’s er alpine slide resort in New Jersey, observation that “many city dwellers co-owned by one of Arapahoe East’s are less than enchanted with the time prospective investors, included a and trouble of driving to Western Playboy Club. Some believe the Slope ski areas.” Jump is quoted pre- Board of Jefferson Country Commis- dicting a “land boom” of homes in sioners denied the permit based on Mount Vernon Canyon that would visions of real “ski bunnies” in their some day dwarf his little ski hill. heads. -14- THE SEARCH FOR BRADFORD

Photo courtesy Bradford referred to his home as “Bradford’s Folly” of Denver Public Library, By Jerry Thomas because it was so isolated from Denver. Western History Collection

he stone wall ruins that still a general merchandise store in Peak Express Company to initiate stand at Ken-Caryl Ranch in Lexington called Bullard, Russell & stage coach services to Denver on Tsouthern Jefferson County are Company in 1844 for James H. May 25, 1859. They agreed to bring the remaining witness to the life of Bullard and William H. Russell. On two fully out-fitted loads of merchan- Robert Boyles Bradford. He was born March 26, 1845, he married Eliza- dise to Denver and open a store near Nashville, Ten- beth N. Waddell, there. nessee on January 1, daughter of Major On August 3, 1859, Russell, 1813 and moved to James Waddell who Waddell, Alexander Majors, and Lexington, Kentucky was a cousin to Robert B. Bradford formed the in 1835. The search William Bradford Robert B. Bradford & Company for Bradford’s pre-Col- Waddell. Elizabeth general merchandise store. Bradford orado life experience also died. indicates possible rela- Bullard and tions with Governor Russell joined E. G. Jerry Thomas, William Bradford of McCarty in 1847 to second prize Plymouth Colony. He outfit the first cara- winner in the may also be linked to van bound for Santa JCHC 1996 John Waddell of Vir- Fe, New Mexico. Writing Con- ginia, whose son When gold was dis- test, is a Denver founded the Pony covered in the Police Officer

Express with half- Photo courtesy of Colorado Historical Society Kansas Territory in who investigated the Bradford House nephew Robert B. Major Robert Bradford 1858, Russell invest- as a history student of University of Bradford. ed with General Colorado, Denver, taught by Dr. Bradford married Martha G. William Larimer’s Denver City Town Thomas J. Noel. Waddell in February 1843, but she Company. Russell and John Jones This article was edited by Milly died a short time later. He managed founded the Leavenworth & Pike’s Roeder and Carole Lomond. -15- received a salary and one-third of the organized the Denver Mutual Fire on route to mines in South Park. profits. In September 1859, Bradford Insurance Company. He acquired a The original Bradford House was arrived in Denver and purchased a ranch for $3,000 with M. H. Mid- built with limestone blocks in 1860. building at the corner of Blake and F daugh, and helped organize the The Rocky Mountain News (Jan. 18, Streets. He contracted a sawmill to Hydraulic Ditch Company in 1860) reported that “Building materi- construct a two story, 50x60 foot Denver. al, in the shape of pine timber and frame building at Blake and G Streets In December 1859, shortly after extensive stratified or quarry rocks is for $4,100. Six months later, Brad- his arrival in Denver, the versatile to be had in immense quantities, ford contracted for a 65x25 foot Robert Bradford received a military within two miles of the town site... addition facing Blake Street. commission as a brigadier general, Marble, in mass, is found nearby, A demonstration of Bradford’s and was appointed as an aide to the and is of a quality to give promise of shrewd business skills occurred in staff of the Territorial Governor of structures in Bradford rivaling the 1860 when he had all but cornered Jefferson, the Honorable Robert W. marble halls of the east. Gypsum, the flour market. With hundreds of Steele. limestone, and potters clay also unemployed miners roaming about, On December 7, 1859, he was abound.” Bradford feared “the whiskey drink- granted permission by the Assembly The first smaller house was con- ing rabble of the city and pineries” of Jefferson Territory to establish the structed with a pitched roof. Water might cause a riot. To prevent being Bradford Toll Road Company. He was piped into an ice house behind victim to a the house. Sev- lawless mob, eral outbuild- he sold all the ings were flour to the added, includ- mining com- ing a barn and panies and blacksmith other interest- shop. Addi- ed parties on tions with 26- six months inch walls credit. When completed the the inevitable home in 1872. riot occurred, The main his business house was said and invest- to have had ments were three stories protected. but Major Although Bradford Bradford was removed the a respected third story entrepreneur, after lightning some com- Photo Courtesy of Lakewood Heritage Center struck several plained of his The Bradford House circa 1920, before fire caused by lightening. times. An attic involvement in remained with too many business ventures. He did built a toll road from Mississippi and an opening to an observation deck acquire an impressive dossier of Sheridan in Denver to his Bradford and portico for the front entrance. stock, real estate, and business inter- City, bringing in partners as needed. The home was so isolated from Den- ests, including 500 shares in the St. He offered half of the toll fee profits ver that Bradford once referred to it Vrain Town Company, 40 shares in to Joseph and Samuel Brown who as “Bradford’s Folly.” Breckenridge, and one original share built a bridge over the Platte River to Justice of the Peace, George Mor- in his “Town of Bradford.” allow continued travel southwest to rison, conducted the ceremony when He opened a local coal bank and Dutch Creek at the hogback. Bradford Bradford married Frances E. Miller in iron mine with Amos Steck, and sold supplies to local ranchers and 1867 in the towne of Morrison. Brad- together with John S. Jones, Dr. provided supplies and overnight lodg- ford apparently fell on hard times in Joseph Cartright and six others, he ing with meals for trappers and miners 1875 when a succession of notes and

-16- Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library, Western History Collection “The home which the Major built in the foothills was patterned curved up to the second floor. An ornately carved mahogany after an old Southern mansion… The house was large and roomy . railing formed a balcony along the upper hall, overlooking the A wide center hall led off of the front porch, and a broad stairway stairs.” From Stage House Toward the Hills by Ruth Beckwith. mortgages began to appear. In Pioneer Denver Merchant by Raymond W. Settlements , 1858-1860. December, 1876, he planned to meet Settle; Colorado Portrait and Biography Rocky Mountain News articles published Index by Henrietta Bromwell; History of in 1860, 1955, 1967, 1985; Colorado Mag- with a nephew, J. J. McNamara who Denver by Jerome C. Smiley; History of azine “Diary of a Pike’s Peak Gold Seeker had founded what became the Den- Colorado by Stone, Wilbur, and Fisk; Jef- of 1860”, January, 1938; and a collection ver Dry Goods Company. But, Brad- ferson County historical maps; An Inven- of letters on the Bradford House at the ford died from a stroke two days tory of Records of the Cherry Creek State Historical Society of Colorado. before his 64th birthday. His funeral was held on January 2, 1877, at McNamara’s home, 323 Eleventh Street in Denver. His obituary appeared in the Rocky Mountain News: “He died while the sun was setting, and was buried on his birthday, at sunset. He was a faithful husband, a kind father, a good citizen, and a warm, generous hearted man.”

References: An Indian Experience by Dora Foster; The ’59ers by Zamonski, Stanley, Keller, and Teddy; Stage House Toward the Hills by Ruth Beckwith; Robert B. Bradford,

Photo by Milly Roeder The stabilized Bradford House in 1997, awaiting restoration PRESERVING HISTORY IN JE The work of five historic groups the h

Hiwan Homestead

LAKEWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY Founded in 1975, the LHS was the leading force in establishing the Bel- mar Historical Village, now the Lake- wood Heritage Center. LHS has sup- ported moving historical buildings for restoration and preservation at the site. The volunteers organize an annual art show of paintings of his- toric places. In autumn, the LHS cel- ebrates “Cider Days”. For more infor- mation, call 233-3050.

Lakewood Heritage Center at Belmar Park, 797 South Wadsworth, includes a ranch house which serves as a visitor’s center. A calf barn and Lakewood Heritage Center Photo by Milly Roeder FFCO s allows you to relive istory of our county

JEFFERSON COUNTY events, conduct oral history and his- HISTORICAL SOCIETY torical research, and publish a quar- Founded in 1976, JCHS is closely terly newsletter. They also participate associated with the Hiwan Home- in annual events: Annual Banquet, stead Museum in Evergreen, a Jeffer- Holiday Wassail Party, and other son County Open Space site operat- social functions. The purpose of ed by paid professionals. JCHS vol- JCHS is to collect, preserve, and unteers provide guided tours of the interpret the history of Jefferson Museum for tourist and resident visi- County, and its place in the history tors, “Special Tours” for senior Wheat Ridge Historical Park citizens and the physically chal- lenged, and all Jefferson County public school 4th graders. Volun- teers are also trained to be “School Aides” and instructors of craft classes for children. During Photos this page by Steve Larson the summer months, they the Streer-Peterson house are part of support “After a historic “family farm” next to a School” work- country school house. shop programs The Heritage Center serves as a and “Discovery culture, arts, and historical site for Days” for chil- the City of Lakewood for many dren entering 1st, annual events including Old Glory 2nd, or 3rd grade. Antique Fair and Christmas tree lighting. Cider Days Harvest Festival JCHS hosts the includes a tractor pull contest, Mountain Ren- antique farm equipment and fire dezvous in the engine and art and craft booths. Heritage Grove Future plans are to expand programs next to the Muse- to include agriculture, water use, um. Members growth, education, transportation, assist the Muse- and community culture. For more um staff with information, call 987-7850. exhibits and -19- Left: Photo of sod house at the Wheat Ridge Historic Park in 1895 and (right) as it looks today.

Photo Courtesy of the Wheat Ridge Historical Society Photos this page by Steve Larson

ARVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY The AHS was founded in 1972 to support the preservation and protec- tion of the city’s cultural heritage. AHS is closely associated with the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, operated by paid profes- sionals. Volunteer members helped establish the “Center” in 1976, the historical exhibit available in the lower gallery area, and acquisition of the 35 acre park. They supported moving the 1860 Blunn log cabin to the Center. They have published three books tracing Arvada history from 1850 to 1941. They helped ren- Arvada History Exhibit ovate the Arvada Flour Mill and secure placement of the mill and of Colorado and the American West. buildings, and sites; make informa- “old Arvada” towne on the National For more JCHS information, call tion available through museum dis- Register of Historic Places. 674-5934. The Hiwan Homestead plays, programs, lectures, and publica- AHS members organize many Museum is open Tuesday through tions; and to stimulate an awareness annual events: Olde Timers Picnic, Sunday, 12 - 5 p.m. For more infor- and appreciation of history. Harvest Festival, High School Choral mation, call 674-6262. Jefferson County Open Space Festival, and others. They guide Olde helped purchase the land for the his- Town Walking Tours for hundreds of WHEAT RIDGE toric park. The city of Wheat Ridge students, seniors, and the general HISTORICAL SOCIETY supports a budget for a full-time public. Volunteers established a “wall Founded in 1974, WRHS is responsi- director and park maintenance. of history” at Arvada High School, ble for assembling, maintaining, and WRHS members organize many research archives at the Standley Lake exhibiting the Wheat Ridge Historic annual events: May Festival, Clear Library, and helped obtain grants for Park at 4610 Robb Street: 1863 log Creek Celebration of the Arts in many special programs (videos, dra- cabin, 1892 “Soddy” house, 1900 July, Apple Cider Day in October, mas, etc). To contact the AHS or brick bungalow, 1913 post office, and and a Holiday Bazaar in December. arrange for a tour of the Arvada storage shed. The purpose of WRHS They also publish a newsletter, serve Flour Mill, call 431-1261. The Arvada is to bring together people with a various committees, and arrange for History exhibit is available at 6901 common interest in history; locate many lectures. The Wheat Ridge His- Wadsworth Boulevard during Center and collect objects and information toric Park is open Monday through hours, Monday through Saturday that illustrate conditions of life and Saturday, 10 - 3 p.m. For more infor- 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Sunday 1-5 p.m. events of the past and present; preser- mation, call 421-9111. For more information about the vation of historical monuments, Center, call 431-3080.

-20- GOLDEN Astor House Museum HISTORICAL ORGANIZATIONS The City of Golden funds opera- tions, maintenance, and salaries for three museums via a city-council appointed Golden Historic Preserva- tion Board. The Golden Landmarks Association manages the Astor House Museum and Clear Creek Ranch Park. The Golden Pioneer Museum is managed by the Mount Lookout Chapter of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution (DAR).

The Astor House Museum was about to be demolished in 1971 when the Golden Landmarks Associa- tion successfully campaigned for pas- sage of a bond for the city to pur- Indian doll collection, mining imple- Clear Creek Ranch Park is chase, restore, and preserve it. The ments, clothing, furniture, household currently being developed along Astor House, built in 1867, portrays items, and military accessories. A Clear Creek at 11th Street, west of turn-of-the-century boarding house research library, including 250+ Washington Street. The 1873 Pearce- life with late Victorian interior decor. genealogical volumes, is available to Reynolds Cabin, the 1876 one-room A delightful Victorian gift shop is on the public. The Museum is managed Guy Hill School, and the 1878 the ground floor and the Museum is by a full-time curator and part-time Pearce-Helps Cabin were moved from available for special event rental. collector, but thousands of hours Golden Gate Canyon. Pioneer home- Open Tues. - Sat, 11 - 4 p.m., admis- continue to be provided by volun- stead life of the 1870s—with a black- sion is $3 adults, $1 for children age teers. Special group tours can be smith shop, animal barns, corral and 12 and under. Call 278-3557. arranged. The Museum is open to the fencing, meathouse, root cellar, cab- public Monday - Saturday, from noon ins, and a schoolhouse—will help pro- to 4 p.m. For more information, vide “living history” experiences and call 278-7151. exhibit space. The site also includes a Golden Pioneer Museum pole barn “stage” nestled in a creek- side natural amphitheater that will host old-time music events, cowboy poetry, storytelling, weddings, “hoe- downs” and other theme parties. For more information call 278-3557.

Photos this page by Carole Lomond Clear Creek Ranch Park

The Golden Pioneer Museum, located between city hall and the new Jefferson County Library at 923 Tenth Street, is managed by the Daughter’s of the American Revolu- tion (DAR). The primary focus of the Museum is on the years 1859- 1930, with an impressive American JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORIC

The Jefferson County Historic Commission’s Hall of Fame Committee has established a gallery of people who are honored for their historic significance at the Jefferson County Government Center. Citizens can nominate significant individuals, living or deceased. Winners are selected by a panel of three judges from outside the county. .This year’s winners are presented here.

CONNIE museum for visitors, FAHNESTOCK, and helped initiate and HISTORIAN organize school pro- grams for fourth Connie was at the fore- graders—programs that front of historical are still in use. She preservation in Jeffer- organized “Special son County throughout Tours for Special Peo- her 25 years of living in ple”, for blind, disabled, Evergreen. She moved deaf, there in 1972 from and nursing home resi- Long Island, New York, dents. with her husband, Connie wrote From James, and four chil- Camp Neosha to the dren. Before coming to Hiwan Homestead and Evergreen, she worked was a regular contribu- as a librarian and tor to the Canyon administrative assistant Courier newspaper and at the Conklin House the Evergreen Museum in Hunting- Magazine . ton, New York. She She served on the earned her Bachelor of Evergreen Centennial- Science degree in Jour- Bicentennial Committee nalism from Purdue and Save Heritage University and her Mas- Grove Campaign. From ter of Science degree 1976 to 1984, she

from Long Island Uni- Photo courtesy of Connie Fahnestock served on the Board of versity. Her master’s the Colorado-Wyoming thesis was titled “Preservation in His- as president for two years. In 1975 Association of Museums and torical Society Libraries.” she became the first director of the received its first President’s Award. In Mrs. Fahnestock acted as chair- Hiwan Homestead Museum and 1975, she received the Evergreen man of the first meeting of the Jef- served in that capacity until 1986. Chamber of Commerce Person of ferson County Historical Society, While director, she helped develop the Year Award. helped write the bylaws, and served the interior and interpretation of the -22- HALL OF FAME

LUCIAN M. “GRANDAD” His family helped repair and RALSTON 1872- 1957 maintain the school building, and teachers boarded at the Ralston Mount Vernon Canyon pioneer ranch during the seven-month settler Lucian McKee Ralston was school year. He was the first an extraordinary, hard-working, Chaplain for the Genesee Grange enterprising, and stabilizing influ- #219 in 1913. He built a large ence for the community from room behind the store to provide 1879 until he died in 1957. His space for community celebrations example of integrity, strength, and and meetings. He also served as a generosity continues to inspire all Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff. public school children who When Denver officials began attend the Ralston Elementary to explore for a mountain park School named after him. system, Lucian encouraged them His father, Captain Lucian to purchase Genesee Mountain to Hunter Ralston, moved his family preserve the wildlife habitat, plant from Kentucky in 1879 and set- diversity, and extraordinary views. tled in a log cabin near Cody It would also provide a pasture Park on Lookout Mountain. for herds of buffalo and elk; and Eight-year-old Lucian watched his open land for hiking and camp- father teach children at the Rock- ing. He helped dig the grave for land School and help build the Buffalo Bill in 1917 and guided Rockland Church while raising the Colorado Mountain Club in potatoes and grain. In 1887, they building the historic Beaver established a ranch and general Brook Trail in 1919. Ralston store where Interstate 70 lies worked for Denver Mountain between Lookout Mountain Exit Parks for 14 years, helping to 256 and Genesee Exit 254. build and maintain roads and After the death of his father, establish picnic areas. Lucian continued to manage the After Lucian’s death, the Ral- family ranch and store, freighted stons traded their Genesee Moun- lumber to Idaho Springs and har- tain land for a site south of Cold vested hay. In 1900 he married Springs ranch to allow for the Bessie Lindsay. They established a Genesee development and con- variety of enterprises to support struction of I-70. “Ralston was a raising their seven children. The quiet man, he lived unpretentious- children helped grow and harvest ly, and was a true man of the grain, hay, and vegetables. They mountains. He gave many a help- milked cows and tended the ing hand and never had an chickens to sell milk and eggs at unkind word to say of his fellow the store where they each devel- man.” (Georgina Brown, The oped business and retailing skills. Shining Mountains .) Ralston served on the Rock- land School Board of Education for 35 years, often as President. Lucian Ralston at age 40 Photo courtesy of Norm Ralston FOUR NEW HISTORIC SITES IN JEFFCO Locations Added to National Register of Historic Places

GOLDEN HIGH SCHOOL GALLOPING GOOSE CARS 2- 6- 7 Constructed in the Beaux Arts style, AT THE COLORADO RAILROAD Golden High School is located on MUSEUM the northern edge of downtown The Galloping Goose Number 2 is a Golden, across from Parfet Park. In gasoline engine powered, narrow December, 1921, the citizens of Gold- gauge railroad motor car completed en passed a bond issue to construct on August 12, 1931. The original a high school, the site was purchased body and chassis were built from a and Eugene G. Groves was hired to 1927 Buick “Master Six” 4-door design the school. When it was dedi- sedan, powered by the Buick engine, cated in March 1924, the Colorado clutch, and transmission. During the Transcript proudly described it as years prior to World War II the car Above and below: Golden High School “...the finest public school building hauled mainly freight and mail, but in the entire country.” The building it also enjoyed a period as part of was lauded for the permanence of its the famous tourist trip known as fireproof construction, convenience “Around the Circle Jeffco historic site photos by Steve Larson of arrangement, completeness of Excursions.” After equipment, and artistic finish. At the the war there was time of its completion, it was consid- less tourist traffic, ered the “last word in high school but the freight and construction” with its study hall and mail continued to library, inset lockers, and a balcony be very important in the gymnasium. to the Ridgeway, Tel- From 1924 to 1956 Golden High luride, Ophir, Rico School served Golden and the sur- and Dolores areas, rounding mountain communities providing transporta- before being replaced by a new high tion into an area school. The building then became that otherwise had Golden Junior High School from only dirt roads. It 1956 to 1988. In May 1988 the was placed on the school was declared surplus by Jeffer- National Register of son County Public Schools. The Historic Places on building remained vacant until 1993 February 14, 1997. when it was acquired by the Col- Galloping Goose orado Mountain Club and the Amer- Number 6 was ican Alpine Club to serve as their designed and built headquarters. The old Golden High specifically for work School building was placed on the service and was National Register of Historic Places completed on Janu- on March 14, 1997. ary 13, 1934. It -24- Above: Galloping Goose Number 7. replaced the expensive steam loco- DAVIES’ CHUCK WAGON Below: Galloping Goose and motive used in normal work train DINER RAILROAD COMPANY (RRCO) logo service which would go out and per- Located on West Colfax Avenue in which appear on the side of the engine. form track, bridge, and building Lakewood, Davies’ Chuck Wagon repairs. It carried two people, the Diner arrived in 1957 by rail. It was driver and one passenger, plus the shipped from the Mountain View tools and supplies that were needed Diners, Inc. of Signac, New Jersey, in on the flatbed with stake sides. It two sections of 11’ x 50’ each, both was placed on the National Register weighing about 19 tons. Using a of Historic Places February 19, 1997. large crane, the sections were set in Galloping Goose Number 7 is a place within two days. William L. gasoline engine powered narrow Davies and his family, the first owner gauge railroad motor car completed of the Diner, moved to Jefferson on October 27, 1936. It provided the County and opened for business on Rio Grande Southern Railroad with a June 21, 1957. cost-saving alternative to the steam Davies’ Diner is a classic example locomotive powered passenger train of the 1950s post-war era of “stream- that allowed the railroad to continue line design of a society fascinated transporting people, mail and freight with machines.” It has wrap-around for another 16 years. It was placed windows, pleated chrome siding, and on the National Register of Historic horizontal banding for exterior Places on February 28, 1997. accents. Davies was a lover of horses -25- Left and below: Davies’ Diner Photos by Steve Larson

and a member of the Jefferson Coun- historical status to both. ty Sheriff’s Posse. In the early 1960s, Davies’ Chuck Wagon he acquired the large fiberglass horse Diner was placed on the that stands watch atop the vestibule National Register of His- of the diner. toric Places on July 2, In 1984, Jim and Dwayne Clark 1997. became owners and operators of the diner. Within a short time they SCHNELL FARM became embroiled with the City of Located at 3113 South Lakewood because, according to the Wadsworth Boulevard in City’s 1979 sign code, the horse and Lakewood, the Schnell the diner’s large sign were in viola- Farm consists of 18 acres. tion. After many hearings and court A narrow dirt road ascends battles, the Lakewood City council the slope to the farm buildings. The and alfalfa and orchard grass fields passed an ordinance that gave local Hodgson Ditch runs along the field- that produce 400 to 700 bales of hay line road. Water each year. Horses graze in the south Schnell Farm Drawing by Scott Fraser from a spring is field. diverted into 2” Currently, very little privately pipes to the barn- owned open land remains in Lake- corral area and a wood, and nearby Wadsworth collection box Boulevard is one of the city’s busiest south of the streets. Despite this, the farm retains house. None of much of the character it had 100 the farm build- years ago. The farm appears on the ings has water or Centennial Farm list, denoting that plumbing. the property has been owned and The two operated by the same family for 100 houses are years or more. The Schnell Farm was surrounded by added to the National Register of a variety of trees Historic Places on February 14, 1997. -26- DREAM CATCHER:

A Brief History of the

John Brisben Walker Legacy Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library, Western History Collection John Brisben Walker by Ellen Kessler

sk any worshipper at Easter the rich history of Jefferson County will sunrise services at Red Rocks encounter Walker’s name time and again. AAmphitheater who John Bris- He left an uncommon legacy, not only to ben Walker was and you’ll get a baffled Jefferson County, but to Colorado and look. Ask the same question of a hiker the entire country as well. Cultivating the trekking through Mount Falcon Park and acoustical powers of Red Rocks Park and you’ll undoubtedly get the same puzzled casting Mount Falcon as a potential sum- response. Yet anyone who has researched mer home for United States presidents

Background: Drawing of Walker’s proposed summer White House by architect Jacques Benedict. -27- Background drawing courtesy of the Historical Society of Colorado owner and managing editor of the Chronicle newspaper. It was at this time that Walker first became interest- ed in the controversy of raising alfalfa in the Rocky Mountain region. Agri- cultural experts said the high altitude in that part of the country made it unfavorable for growing the crop; on the other hand, Walker said it could be done. The United States Secretary of Agriculture eventually commis- sioned him to test his theories. Walker moved his family to Col- orado in 1879, purchasing farmland in northern Denver that extended north to Inspiration Point and included acreage where Berkeley Park, Rocky Mountain Lake, and Regis Photo courtesy of the Jefferson County Historical Society Photo of Red Rocks in 1897 College now stand. Walker’s alfalfa crop flourished. By then, he had not were just two of the many gifts Walk- 1873. Without the anticipated influx only fallen in love with Colorado, er left behind for today’s Coloradans of businesses to the “new” state capi- but he also saw the state as the cor- to enjoy. He had an almost fanatical tal, Walker suddenly found himself nerstone for his economic empire. belief in the state’s future and gam- penniless as his investments disinte- He decided to stay. Some 12 years bled heavily on ideas that were years grated and, for a long time, he even later, he sold the farm for a substan- ahead of their time. struggled to satisfy day-to-day necessi- tial profit, while donating some land Born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ties for his growing family. to Denver and some to the Roman in 1847 to Scottish-Irish parents, Walk- Walker found some financial relief Catholic Church. er was educated at Georgetown Col- after accepting a newspaper job in Ever the restless businessman, lege in Washington before receiving an Cincinnati, Ohio in 1873. But after a Walker’s next enterprise, a few years appointment to West Point Military few disappointing months, he moved before selling the farm, was to create Academy. He resigned a few years later to Washington, D.C., where he found Denver’s first amusement park, River- and journeyed to the Far East where the journalism career he thought he front Park, the predecessor to mod- he enlisted and was subsequently made was really looking for. By the time ern day Elitch’s and Lakeside Parks. an officer of the Chinese army. Walker was 30 years old, he was part- In the early 1880s, he purchased However, Walker returned to the small 50-acre parcels until he had United States in 1870, completely dis- acquired over 500 lots along the east enchanted with the corruption with- Ellen bank of the South Platte River from in the political and military structure Kessler, 15th to 19th Streets and from Platte of China. He settled in West Virginia author, is Street to Union Station. with his new bride, had a brief but the first Walker offered use of the property unsuccessful fling with local politics, prize to the Colorado State Fair Associa- and then began fervently investing in winner of tion and agreed to build, at his own farmland properties surrounding the 1997 expense, structures suitable for a Charleston, the new state capital. His Jeffco first-class park. The offer was accept- investments soared in value, and by Writer’s Award. She is a former ed, and once completed, the first the time Walker was 26 years old, the New Yorker who has lived in Jef- building, the Castle of Commerce, venture in real estate had earned him ferson County for the past 17 was used for exhibitions where Walk- $2 million, an impressive sum even years with her large menagerie of er attempted to prove that Colorado by today’s standards. However, West companion parrots. She works as led the country in agriculture, manu- Virginia legislators consequently con- a word processor for an interna- facturing, commerce, mining, and the cluded that Wheeling was the better tional engineering company in arts. The building was made of lava choice for the state capital, and the downtown Denver. stone hauled from the Town of Cas- government moved to that city in tle Rock. The second building was a large grandstand and racetrack, capa- the Platte River as far north as camp administered by the City. The ble of holding 5,000 spectators, Brighton and back again for 30 City fed upwards of 1,000 people which was electrically lit for night- cents. But because the boat often daily while the National Guard fur- time horse and chariot races and shoaled on sandbars far upstream of nished tents. Railroads offered dis- bicycle competitions. Brighton, he later dammed the Platte counted fares, and the more adven- A movable bandstand was erected to make it deep enough to float the turous built boats to take them any- in the oval of the racetrack where vessel, and offered first class enter- where they thought they might find many notable concerts, plays, and tainment, including Gilbert and Sulli- work. The City provided the lumber, fireworks displays were held. The van’s famous play, H.M.S. Pinafore. and several hundred people navigated park, according to all reports, was an In 1893, when the silver panic hit their homemade vessels down the imaginative and welcome addition to Colorado and mine owners found it Platte River. Denver’s social life. Ten years after creating On a typical spring or Riverfront Park, Walker’s summer Sunday after- interest in it diminished noon, one could and he sold part of the watch cable cars park to the Denver and maneuver narrow tres- Rio Grande Railroads. tles from Wazee Street Since that time, the land to the park entrance has been used for circuses, on Platte Street. Men, day camps, and the rail- dressed in their Sun- roads. In 1951, the Castle day finest, accompa- of Commerce burned to nied by women in bus- the ground and was tled apparel, feathered removed in 1952. Today, hats, and parasols nothing remains of the would disembark and park. In its place are ware- stroll ceremoniously houses and a few restau- onto the broad, green rants and art galleries. grounds that Walker After Walker sold the had painstakingly nur- park, he returned to the tured to fruition. East Coast where he was For opening day in able to devote attention 1887, 20,000 guests vis- to the new object of his ited the park, and one financial affection Cos- of New York City’s mopolitan Magazine. Per- most popular bands haps considered one of was hired for this his most successful ven- uncommon occasion. tures, Walker bought the Riverfront Park offered publication in 1889, and everything for the for the next six years, he recreational pleasure of chopped, molded, and Denver’s citizens, built the magazine into a including picnic thriving, fundamental grounds, a 3-block journal. He used it as a long tobogganing sounding board for his slide, “wild west Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library, Western History Collection ideas and future ventures, shows” (the predeces- Construction of Walker’s funicular to the top of Mount Morrison. and many famous writers’ sor to the modern day anecdotes could be found rodeo), and professional baseball unprofitable to keep their quarries within its pages, including those of games. operational, workers flocked to Den- Mark Twain, Jack London, Stephen In 1887, Walker introduced the ver looking for employment. Walker Crane, H.G. Wells, and Leo Tolstoy. Park to the “sidewheeler,” a donated Riverfront Park to Denver In 1905, Walker thought it was time steamship that made daily trips up and it was turned into a refugee to move onto new enterprises, and -29- he sold Cosmopolitan Magazine to ed in 65 minutes. Even though Walk- that coursed up Mount Morrison, William Hearst for over one million er continued to champion his “horse- then built a second road with a 12 dollars. less carriage,” it continued to be a percent grade up Mount Falcon. Next commanding his time, losing proposition, and the invest- Walker also proposed a railroad that money, and interest was the automo- ment went down to defeat. would run along West Colfax from bile, or, as it was the eastern better known in boundary of Jef- the 1900s, the ferson County “horseless car- along the Hog- riage.” Walker built back to Bear a manufacturing Creek. It would plant in Tarrytown, be “a new lease New York, and cre- on life for the ated the first town of Morri- “locomobiles.” His son,” predicted company produced Walker, but the 24 models, ranging railroad never in price from $750 got off the for a simple run- paper it was about to $10,000 drawn on. for a racing car. It was at Walker bought the Mount Falcon, patent for the between Turkey Stanley Steamer, and Bear Creeks in Jefferson County, that Walker decided to settle down Above: John Brisben and build his Walker’s mansion on permanent Mt. Falcon before it home, a man- burned in 1918. sion that would Left:The ruins that offer expansive stand today. vistas of Jeffer- Photos courtesy of the Jefferson son County. The County Historical Society construction began in earnest in 1909 by local workers and pitting its success against the gaso- After acknowledging that his auto- laborers brought to the United States line-driven automobile. But he found mobile business was a failure, Walker from Italy. The mansion was built of himself on the losing end of his gam- returned to Colorado and bought native stone; eight fireplaces and a ble as Henry Ford took the forefront several thousand acres of land, separate servants’ wing were pro- in automobile manufacturing. including the Town of Morrison, posed. Behind the house, Walker Nonetheless, Walker pursued what he Mount Morrison, Mount Falcon, envisioned a racetrack to promote his felt was the wave of the future in and the Park of Red Rocks. Walker beloved sport of horse trotting. transportation and promoted the established the Colorado Resort The name Mount Falcon came “horseless carriage” by, among other Company, envisioning Colorado as a about quite by accident, according to things, financing a $3,000 race that summer playground for the country, an account by Walker’s daughter. ran from New York City Hall to his and avidly promoting tourism of his “One day, as Mother and Father were manufacturing facility, a distance of beloved adopted home. He bought a looking over the site on which they 16 miles. The contest, won by a Jesuit college near Morrison and planned to build, a magnificent Duryea Motor Wagon, was complet- turned it into a hotel, built a road falcon circled above them. It -30- became the symbol of the mountain, “New Summer Home for our Presi- The summer White House became beautiful and appropriate. Then and dents” published in Technical World a popular fundraiser among the citi- there Mount Falcon became the Magazine (March 1912), Robert zens of Morrison and school children name of their future home.” Moulton embellished: from around the country. Thousands In 1911, when the first (and only) of students donated ten cents each, wing of his mansion was and the Town of Morrison close to completion, contributed $1,000, a signif- Walker plunged ahead icant sum for a town whose with another one of his population totaled only remarkable ideas, a 150 people at the time. mountain retreat where Walker, however, was Presidents of the United unsuccessful in encouraging States might escape from the support of all citizens the East Coast and in the country by having “find refreshment of each donate one dollar to mind and spirit and the project. He was also acquire a better under- unsuccessful in uncovering standing of the prob- investors willing to pur- lems and potentials of chase bonds for $1,000 the West.” Walker hoped each in return for the plea- the popularity he had sure of renting the summer gained as Cosmopolitan White House when the Magazine’s publisher President was not in resi- and editor would offer dence. the necessary bridge to In 1911, at his own attract funding for this expense, Walker purchased project. He contacted the cornerstone for the President Woodrow Wil- future summer White son to solicit support, House, and exhibited the but there is no record of stone at 17th and Stout the President ever Streets in downtown Den- acknowledging his let- ver. The native Yule mar- ters. Walker’s idea, how- ble, inscribed “A gift to ever, did receive consid- Photo courtesy of the Historical Society of Colorado the presidents of the Unit- erable coverage in news- Architectural drawings by Jacques Benedict show four views ed States from the people papers around the coun- of Walker’s proposed summer home for U.S. presidents. of Colorado,” was cut from try. the same quarry used for Walker forged ahead with his all- Night and morning on the mountain are building the Lincoln Memorial in consuming plan and hired famed like the beginning of creation; it is so dif- Washington, D.C. ferent from the rest of the world that it Denver architect, J.B. Benedict. The seems as if one were in a fairyland of Photo courtesy of the Jefferson County Historical Society summer White House was to be an color. A hundred tiny lakelets of quicksil- elaborate edifice of 22 rooms, fur- ver come into view as the sun rises over the limitless plains to the east, and at nished in a style reminiscent of cas- evening these change to turquoise, or tles found on the German Rhine. rose color or emerald as the sky may There were to be four towers, a reflect. From the north terrace of the mountain, upon which the drawing room courtyard measuring 60 by 80 feet, and library will open, the steep mountain an office in one of the towers, and side, wooded with pines, drops down two an extensive library. thousand feet into the rushing waters of Bear Creek; to the south, seventy-five The commanding view from the miles away, is Pike’s Peak. Denver lies fif- building site was its strongest feature. teen miles away to the northeast. When a Looking out over Denver, it would passing cloud covers the city with its shadow, the plains seem barren of hous- offer vistas of almost 100 miles in es. Then suddenly the sunlight pierces every direction. In an article entitled through, and a great city stands revealed. -31- Cornerstone for proposed summer White House World War I put a temporary sandstone. The trails are used by hik- opposite ends of two 1¨ inch ropes, restraint on Walker’s dream, and in ers, horseback riders, snowshoers, or so while one car was lowered, the 1918, a lightning bolt brought a cross-country skiers. other was raised. The engine was hasty conclusion to any hope of Part of the land Walker purchased then reversed and the cars moved in building a summer White House. along with the Mount Falcon proper- opposite directions. Ascending pas- Walker was no longer able to gener- ty was a beautiful expanse near Mor- sengers rode backwards so they could ate interest in the project, and his rison that he named Garden of the enjoy the grandiose panorama. A bad luck endured when his own Titans, today known as the Red one-way trip was 20 minutes long mansion burned to the ground that Rocks Amphitheater. Walker acciden- and each car carried as many as 100 same year, also supposedly caused by tally discovered the natural acoustical people. At the summit, visitors found lightning. Rumors themselves persist to this day, 3,000 feet however, that the above the house was instead expanding robbed and then Denver sky- set on fire. Tire line. tracks leading away Walker also from the home designed the and some of Walk- “Railroad to er’s paintings were the Peak” found in the forest which was a several hundred 45-minute ride yards away from from Denver the house leading to Morrison one to believe the via the Col- rumor was true. orado and

Mount Falcon Photo by Carole Lomond Southern Rail- was purchased in John Brisbane Walker cultivated the acoustical powers of Red Rocks. road. A round- 1974 by the Col- trip ticket cost orado Open Land Foundation (now greatness of the park while he was 60 cents, and the fare from Red known as Jefferson County Open hiking between Creation and Steam- Rocks to the Peak and back was one Space) for $1.3 million. Today, two boat rocks where he impulsively dollar. Unfortunately, as the automo- sets of ruins can be visited. One is shouted “hello.” His voice bellowed bile became more celebrated and the the cremated remains of Walker’s clearly throughout the canyon. cables pulling the funicular started home, and the second is the relics of “What a magnificent place for out- rusting, Walker’s railroad and funicu- his burned western white house. The door concerts,” Walker reflected and, lar lost popularity and both were present multi-use trails lead to the on that day, Red Rocks Amphithe- sold shortly thereafter. plains at the east end of the park, up ater was born. In his usually aggres- In 1924, Walker offered to sell Red the foothills on a narrow road, and sive manner, Walker promoted his Rocks at a fraction of its cost, but through forests and meadows to the new outdoor theater by bringing the City turned him down. He later many points of interest at the top. A Melba, opera singer Mary Garden, lost the park because of increasing shelter house, once the home of a and the Chicago Opera Company to financial instability and, it was ulti- more recent tenant, provides a Colorado. mately taken over by the City in panoramic view from Indian Hills to For the price of a concert ticket, 1927. Amphitheater construction Evergreen and Mount Evans. Atop Walker included a trip to the summit began in 1932 but it was not until Mount Falcon, a wooden tower rises of Mount Morrison via another one after Walker’s death that the full to yield intriguing views of the ruins, of his creations˛ the “funicular rail- potential of Red Rocks Amphitheater Red Rocks Park, and the plains. The way”˛ cable cars that grappled to the was realized. In the 1940s, the Park west parking area provides an top of the mountain. Cars were was made more accessible and seat- approach to these areas from above. painted white and trimmed in red ing for 10,000 was provided for con- From the east parking area, south of and black. One car was positioned at certs and religious services. Morrison, a trail curves across plains the apex, the other at the foot of the At about the same time Walker and gulches to an outcrop of red mountain. Each car was attached to was promoting Red Rocks Amphithe- -32- ater, he declared that tourism might for Mount Lookout and, ultimately, he’d nudge his neighbors just to be one of Colorado’s greatest enter- to Idaho Springs (part of the remind them who had discovered the prises. Walker once said: “Denver is a transcontinental highway). Provisions Park in the first place. And if Walker pretty city but it makes me heartsick were made to prevent liquor from had the opportunity to visit Mount to think of it dawdling along with being sold, or licensed to be sold, Falcon Park, he’d be pleased that the 213,000 population when we could as within 500 feet of the outer bound- land had been preserved, but he’d easily as not have a million.” In 1913, aries of the parks. In addition, no fall silent when remembering what Walker suggested an advertising cam- advertisements or other annoyances Mount Falcon was, as well as what it paign to the tune of one million dol- were to be erected within those could have been. So must we all. lars to boost tourism in Denver and boundaries. the surrounding counties, something While Walker watched his dream References no city had ever done. In harmony of a mountain park system become Anonymous. A Landmark in History of North Denver. Rocky Mountain News, with this idea, Walker wanted to see reality, other dreams had dissolved. January 6, 1974. some of Colorado’s pristine land set Oddly, Walker was now regarded as a Anonymous. New Move is Made to Build Summer White House in State. Rocky aside for future generations. Walker nuisance rather than as an innovative Mountain News. February 19, 1926. zealously championed development businessman. The final crushing blow Arps, Louisa Ward, Denver in Slices , Allan of a mountain parks system because came when he was forced to resign Swallow Press, 1959. Blackburn, Ben, Mount Falcon a Jewel he believed that America’s uncontrol- from the Denver Chamber of Com- Near the City. Rocky Mountain News lable love affair with the automobile merce because others felt his ideas Sunday Magazine . July 9, 1989. Brown, Georgina, Shining Mountains , B&B was threatening conservation of the were too bizarre. Printers, 1976. land in order to build roads. Sadly, after losing Red Rocks and Dittman, Catherine, John Brisbane Walker— Once Coloradans were convinced watching his future home and the The Man and the Myth , 1978. Fay, Abbott, Famous Coloradans, Moun- of Walker’s arguments and the need summer White House go up in taintop Books, Paonia, Colorado, 1990. to set land aside, they left no stone smoke, Walker returned to the east Frazier, Deborah, Walker Saw Colorado Retreat. Denver Post, August 26, 1975. unturned in designing a succession of coast, never to return to Colorado. Golden Chamber of Commerce, For the parks, with a major parcel of the sys- He died in Brooklyn, New York in Golden Times, 1977. tem located on Lookout and Genesee 1931. At the time of his death, Walk- Hutchins, Jim, Walker’s Dream Fades into Ruins. The Transcript , July 28, 1976. Mountains in Jefferson County. er was still trying to turn dreams into Jefferson County National Register of His- However, getting the parks system reality, this time on a road-grading toric Sites, 1979. Jefferson County Open Space, Mount organized was quite another story. machine that would use cotton as a Falcon Park Map. Tempers blistered before the proposal surfacing material. Jones, William C. and K. Forest, “Denver: A was even written and introduced to One of the most colorful and Pictorial History”, Colorado Railroad His- torical Foundation, 1973. the legislature. One argument hurled prophetic of Colorado’s pioneers, Melrose, Frances, Time Shatters Tycoon’s out by the Anti-Saloon League was Walker was married three times and Dream of a Colorado White House. Rocky Mountain News. July 10, 1983. the fear that the City of Denver raised ten children. He was post- , Idea Man. Rocky Mountain would permit “disreputable houses” humously inducted into the Jefferson News. June 13, 1948. Morgan, Bernice, Castle on the Platte. in the mountain parks. They wanted County Hall of Fame in 1988. His Rocky Mountain Empire Magazine, the City to enact rules that would life may have been regarded as eccen- May 21, 1950. clearly state what businesses would tric, but his methods for turning Moulton, Robert H., New Summer Home for our Presidents, Technical World Maga- be allowed within and surrounding dreams into reality were unequivocal- zine, Volume 17: March, 1912. the parks. After the dispute reached a ly years ahead of what is now con- Penn, L.R., Old Castle Under Viaduct Marks Early Day Resort. Denver Post, crescendo, the bill was written, ventionally accepted as commonplace December 1, 1918. passed through the legislature, and salesmanship techniques. If Walker Rohrer, Dan. Morrison Collected Papers. signed by the governor. Denver then were alive today, he would be amazed Tarbox, Jane, Mt. Falcon to be Bought by County. Golden Transcript , November 24, voted on a charter amendment to at how much Denver and Jefferson 1974. provide for future land acquisition. County have grown. While he might Vigel, Richard, Empire’s Most Spectacular Trail Blazer, Denver Post Rocky Mountain Within a few days after the law be astounded by today’s traffic jams, Empire Magazine, September 8, 1946. was inaugurated, Denver appropriated he would undoubtedly celebrate the $65,000 for the building of roads modern automobile. But he’d keep through the foothills and into Gold- his old Stanley Steamer in the garage en and Morrison. Two roads to just to remind everyone of the good Genesee Park were on the drawing old days. Walker would enjoy con- board and a third road was appraised certs at “his” Red Rocks Park, but -33- Preservation by

ning By Mary Ramstetter wnzo DDuring the Pike’s Peako gold rush, allowing the historian with a little The terrain is a natural for park land, Golden Gate Canyon was a golden imagination to see what the Native with rugged pine forests to the west highway. Would-be bonanza kings American and Anglo Pioneer saw. and deeply washed foothill canyons hurried up the face of Enter Moun- There is no gold in Golden Gate to the east. Golden Gate Canyon tain bound for Canyon and State Park was established during the the Gregory dig- very little water. 1960s, followed by Jefferson County gings. Many Even by arid White Ranch Open Space Park in returned the Many of Golden Gate Canyon’s Colorado stan- 1975. same way, beat- dards, the lower In 1978, residents knew the area en by bad luck. historical credentials have been elevations of the was targeted by aggregate mining and Inspired by canyon continue related industry interests. Canyonites two tall rock pil- blown up, dozed away, and hauled to be unusually joined forces with Goldenites to pre- lars that marked dry. Parched vent Brannan Sand and Gravel Com- the entrance to off. But large sweeps of terrain washes and gul- pany from opening Pit 24, a 623-acre the first heavily lies crease the aggregate quarry at the entrances of traveled road to remain undisturbed. With a little hillsides, brown Clear Creek and Golden Gate climb into the with brittle canyons. Plans called for a 7-year, mountains, imagination one can see what grasses. Every- open-pit quarry followed by 50 years prospector Tom where pine and of underground mining. Golden laid out the pioneers saw. spruce trees, Residents teamed up with Lookout a city in 1859. stressed by lack Mountain landowners in 1988 to stop Within two of water and fed O. R. Goltra from opening the 320- months, “Golden Gate City” and on by beetle and budworm, wait like acre, multimillion-ton, 75-year Sheep “Golden Gate Canyon” saw thou- old ghosts for fire and wind to bring Mountain Quarry on the Elk Creek sands of prospectors passing through them down. drainage in Clear Creek Canyon. (also named “Golden’s Gate,” the pil- Neither a mining district nor a They also fought to prevent a second lars were destroyed by road construc- summer playground, roads and struc- Jeffco rock quarry (Pit 6A) from tion in the early 1900s). Many believe tures were relatively slow to develop. operating well into the 21st century the present city of Golden was named after Tom Golden. The canyon became a region bounded roughly by Clear Creek Canyon on the south, Mary Ramstetter operates four grown children. Her Blue Mountain on the north, High- the C Lazy Three cattle first historical novel,“Over way 119 on the west, and the prairie ranch with her husband, the Mountains of the on the east. Charlie, in Golden Gate Moon,” has won many In the intervening 138 years, many Canyon. She is a retired awards. Her book of histo- of GGC’s historical credentials have secretary for the Colorado ry of Golden Gate Canyon been blown up, dozed away, and School of Mines and has will be published in 1998. hauled off. But, large sweeps of ter- rain remain largely undisturbed, at the entrance to Miller Gulch in Golden Gate Right: Guy Canyon. Hill School in But another prob- Golden Gate lem was brewing. Canyon, circa The county was 1880. using a zoning grid (see “Potential Land Below: View of landscape Use” in the Jefferson and historic County North Plains structure in Community Plan) downzoned allowing “buildable” Crawford lots from a fraction Gulch area. of one acre to 10 acres. When the Plan was established in Photo courtesy of Golden DAR Pioneer Museum 1992, canyonites requested A35-acre gradually in 35-acre parcels, which county subdivision regulations. zoning. But rezoning, as initiated by provided an air of false security. The The county’s subdivision regula- the Board of County Commissioners, Jefferson Soil Conservation District, tions allowed development as long as didn’t appear feasible at the time. working in conjunction with local builders provided adequate evidence The region continued to develop ranchers, promoted the use of native of quality, quantity and dependable Photo by Carole Lomond grass seed to water supply. Enter the Greeley Water support the nat- Court, where land speculators can ural ecosystem buy paper water that exists one place for wildlife. but can, on paper, be said to exist at But the another. The Window Rock developer booming metro was able to buy a Veldkamp well population and which diverts non-tributary ground Central City from the Laramie-Fox Hills Aquifer of gambling inter- the Denver Basin. ests created an The Colorado State Engineer and enormous the Division Engineer, though power- appetite for less to overrule the Water Court, mountain land. nonetheless filed objections based on In 1996, an water quantity. Their concern resulted entrepreneur in a court ordered shared-well agree- sought county ment. approval to “Not overlooking our park!” said develop six 10-

acre Window Photo by Carole Lomond Rock sites at the top of a moun- tain overlooking the White Ranch Park. Res- idents were shocked to dis- cover that the developer only had to prove compliance with -35- residents, who rallied to save the area. area to be rezoned mount ed stiff gives neighbors ample opportunity to They drew up a petition asking the opposition, and petition supporters support or oppose the application. Jeffco Commissioners to rezone the decided to stay with the simple con- Nor does A-35 guarantee that the area to an overall density of one cept of one house per 35 acres. bad traffic days will not increase the home per 35 acres. Residents selected After numerous public hearings harvest of automobiles, deer, and an area of approximately 10,212 acres and careful scrutiny of the attendant smaller animals. that seemed to be the most defensi- paperwork, the county created the For a region to ask of itself what it ble in terms of park boundaries and new category, officially called Agri- has for years been asking of mining geological outlines. It is bounded culture 35. This change was precipi- interests (to put aside opportunities roughly by Ralston Creek on the tated at the grassroots level, so the for financial gain in favor of protect- north, the state park and southern BCC exempted those who did not ing and preserving the environment) shoulder of Mt. is a remark- Tom on the west, able thing, an A-35 zoning is the highway amazing the beginning of through Tucker thing. And preservation. It’s Gulch and down just in time. a demonstration into Guy Gulch on The presence that people who the south, and the of water, even are smart enough county open space theoretical to invent park and drainage water, is creat- machines to of Crawford Gulch ing an illusion reshape the earth to the east. that the rich are smart enough When the dust historical sig- to know when to settled, the subdivi- nificance of let the earth sion got five the foothills alone. It is also parcels and a host is better suit- an excellent of regulations ed to cultural example of local designed to make it alteration. elected officials as compatible as Before A- responding to possible with the 35, the only citizens, working surrounding protection with them, as terrain. The coun- against the well as citizens ty gained a new flood of opposed to category for development change, and “Potential Land was regula- declare a Designation” to tions outlin- mutually benefi- include in ing how it cial outcome. a revision of the should best Left:The area North Mountains proceed. With with textured Community Plan. A-35 in place, shading has been Organizers of development rezoned to A-35. the grassroots peti- can proceed tion hoped that Map courtesy of Jefferson County Planning Department at a slower the concept of clustering new homes want the rezoning—some two dozen pace, creating a longer time frame to on small lots within larger 35-acre landowners. But 9,023 acres are now determine how best to save wildlife envelopes would leave large blocks of protected by the new A-35 zoning. A corridors and water. Hopefully other land open for agriculture. The Bear rare accomplishment indeed. Jeffco areas will find A-35 an attrac- Tooth Ranch development north of A-35 does not prevent parcels tive alternative to urban sprawl—and Golden on the old Glenco range is a from being divided in the future. A leave the region what it is now, an first attempt to preserve large parcels land owner can apply to subdivide, undisturbed and harmonious of terrain. However, investors hold- but the application must move approach to lovely parks. ing land for speculation within the through the rezoning process, which

-36- Jefferson County Historical Commission

The information in this magazine is solely provided by the authors. JCHC and the Board of County The Jefferson County Historical Commission members Commissioners are are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. not responsible for The current County Commissioners are (from left): its content. John Stone, Michelle Lawrence and Pat Holloway.

Jefferson County Historical Commission Mission Statement (continued from p. 2) • Oral History Project torical interest Fund grants which helped bring • Contest for Commission logo (won • Provided plaques for all Jefferson $1,215,609 to Jefferson County by a junior high student) County sites listed with the National • Researched and assembled data for • Produced slides and script of the His- Register of Historic Places and over 2,500 historical place names tory of Jeffco Schools Colorado Register of Historic • Researched and proposed a preserva- • Produced a videotape of Jefferson Properties tion policy for historically significant County Museums • Established the Jefferson County Hall properties • Produced “Festival of the West” 1975- of Fame exhibit at the county building • Supported the establishment of the 1980 (continued independently) • Published 17 editions of Historically Jefferson County Archivist • Wrote and published From Scratch: A Jeffco magazine If you are interested in volunteering with History of Jefferson County (1985) • Published and distributed thousands the Jefferson County Historical Commis- • Produced two editions of a historical of brochures of historic places sion or want more information, call map (1980 and 1986) • Reviewed and recommended over 30 Jeffco Archivist Duncan McCollum at • Presented plaques for 25 sites of his- applications for Colorado Historical 271-8448.

HISTORICALLY JEFFCO WRITER’S AWARD CONTEST RULES & APPLICATION

ELIGIBILITY AWARDS The Contest is open to all persons, and 1. Young entrants prize is $250. and relatives of both are ineligible for entrants will be divided into two categories: 2. Open division first prize is $750 and sec- prizes. 1. Youth (age 17 or younger) ond prize is $250. 4. Entries must not infringe upon the 2. Open (all ages) 3. JCHC may edit and publish both award- rights of any third person. ENTRY PROCEDURE winning and other entries in its publica- DEADLINE: April 1 1. Each entry must be accompanied by a tion, Historically Jeffco . SEND TO: completed and signed entry form. There GUIDELINES Historically Jeffco Writer’s Award Contest is no limit on the number of entries. 1. Topics must relate directly to the factual Jefferson County Historical Commission 2. Entries can consist of up to 7,000 words, history of Jefferson County, Colorado. c/o Archives & Records Mgmt, Ste 1500 including footnotes. Entries must be 2. All entries become the property of JCHC. 100 Jefferson County Parkway typed on 8 1/2” x 11” white paper, dou- 3. Members of JCHC and appointed judges Golden, CO 80419-1500 ble-spaced, with at least 1” margins. If possible also submit a computer disk in text only format. HISTORICALLY JEFFCO WRITER’S AWARD CONTEST APPLICATION (Please copy application) 3. The composition must be the original work of the individual in whose name the NAME: AGE: entry is submitted and must be written (If under 17) specifically for this contest. ADDRESS: 4. The entry form (below) must be signed PHONE: and sent with composition. I certify that I am an eligible entrant and that the composition now submitted was prepared by JUDGING me for this contest and has not been previously published or copyrighted. I agree to abide by The contest will be judged by a panel of the decision of the judges on any questions raised in connection with the conduct of the con- three qualified judges whose decision will be test and the selection of the winning compositions. By submission of my entry, I grant the Jef- final. The JCHC reserves the right not to ferson County Historical Commission the right to edit and publish the composition in its present awards if the judges determine that publications, regardless of whether I receive a monetary prize. no meritorious entries are received. Date: (Signature of Entrant) THEN AND NOW: View of ski jump today from Chimney Creek, Genesee

Jefferson County Historical Commission Bulk Rate 100 Jefferson County Parkway U.S. Postage c/o Archives and Records Management, Room 1567 PAID Golden, CO 80419 Permit #148 Golden, CO