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.