95 Years Ago
Yesterday was an anniversary of great importance to W. M. Sarell, pioneer Golden merchant. For just 66 years ago yesterday, Mr. Sarell first arrived in Golden. It has been his home ever since that time.
Colorado Transcript - June 26, 1930
William Sarell came to Golden at age 16. His father had arrived earlier and then arranged to have his son and wife accompanied across the plains.
William ran a hardware store for more than 60 years--first in partnership with his father (W. M. B. Sarell), and later with his son Raymond. He worked until he was 91, and for many years enjoyed his status as the elder statesman of Washington Avenue. In his later years, he often gave interviews to the Transcript, recalling interesting facts from pioneer times.
In this (6/26/30) article, he mentioned that it had taken 30 days to travel from Grinnell, Iowa to Golden in a covered wagon. When they arrived in Golden, they had to take a ferry across Clear Creek at Ford Street, as the bridge had not yet been built.
The ferry was operated by Crippen and Harrison, who charged $5 for bringing our wagon and team across the then big stream.
Colorado Transcript - June 26, 1930
In other articles, he described watching Calvary Church be built (1867-1968) and working as a page for the Territorial Legislature, which met in Golden from 1862-1867.
William Sarell died in 1944, at age 93. His son and business partner died two weeks later, which ended a nearly 80-year run for the family firm. All three generations of Sarell Hardware owners are buried in the Golden cemetery.
In 1945, Joe and Ruby Meyer (Meyer Hardware) came to town and bought the store, which remained in the Meyer family until 2021.
