158 Years Ago
Jonas Barber was one of Golden first investors. He acquired land north of Clear Creek and annexed it to Golden in 1867. He dug a mill race and built a mill at Camp and Garrison Streets (now 9th and Cheyenne).
The mill was originally intended to be both a sawmill and a flour mill. In the longer term it became exclusively a flour mill–the Rock Flour Mill.
In 1869, Barber advertised in the Golden Transcript, offering to sell some of his property. He lauded Golden’s excellent natural resources (“Unlimited Water-Power, Coal, etc.”) and the desirability of its society (“SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES”). He also stated that title to the land was very clear, as he had received it directly from the United States.
He offered to sell his “Saw, shingle, and lath mill.” He mentioned that it had a fall of twenty-three feet, which was a measure of the power provided by water from the mill race. He was also advertising the Jefferson House, a hotel on Washington Avenue, later called the Allen House.
Barber also offered about 200 undeveloped “business and dwelling lots.” In short–the entire 8th and 9th Street Historic District was available for sale!
This article is a special treat for my map-loving readers, so here’s one more:
