View of Golden, Colorado

Abstract

Photograph of Golden, Colorado, which was probably taken around 1935. Prospectors responding to reports of placer gold up Clear Creek Canyon in 1859 often had to camp at the base of the foothills to provision and outfit themselves for travel in the mountains. Golden City was founded in 1859 to supply, house and entertain these prospectors. By the end of 1859 there were almost 800 people living in Golden City. During the 1860s and 1870s a number of industries were established in the town, agriculture expanded, and Golden became the supply center for the mining towns in the mountains to the west. A rail line was constructed from Golden up Clear Creek Canyon to the mining towns in the 1870s, transporting supplies to the towns and ore to be processed at the smelters in Golden and parts east.