Waning Moon and Greening Hill
Photo by Chris Davell
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Wednesday, May. 29th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- 9-10:15AM - Golden Walks
- 10:15-10:45AM - Toddler Time
- 2-3:30PM - Facebook
- 3-5PM - Virtual/Call In: Hard Times Writing Workshop
- 6:30PM - Trivia Night
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
History & Horses
Photo by Joyce Davell
As one of my readers, you are likely a fan of Golden history. Here's your chance to learn about it to your heart's content!
My daughter Margaret and I will be offering a Wagon Ride Through History this Friday at noon. Margaret—with her Clydesdales, Wallace and Todd—will drive us through Golden's oldest commercial and residential neighborhoods while I tell the tales of Golden's past.
I hope you’ll join us this Friday, May 31st, at noon. Tickets are available at ClearCreekCarriages.com.
What’s Blooming Along Golden’s Trails?
Figure 1. Jamesia americana growing along the Peaks to Plains Trail at the Tough Cuss Bridge.
By Tom Schweich
“Fivepetal Cliffbush” — Jamesia americana Torr. & A. Gray — is found in the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon and on Lookout Mountain. The best place to see it in Golden is on the Peaks to Plains Trail at the Tough Cuss Bridge across Clear Creek. The plant is more common at higher elevations throughout the foothills region of Jefferson County and generally found along in the Front Range of Colorado.
Our plant was first collected by Edwin James, M.D. in 1820. James was the botanist on the Stephen H. Long expedition, the first scientific expedition to explore the Front Range of Colorado. They ascended the South Platte River and camped at mouth of Clear Creek at the South Platte on July 4th, 1820. Seeing the mountains in the distance they ascended Cannonball Creek (now Clear Creek) but became discouraged when, at Inspiration Point, the mountains still appeared far in the distance. Traveling south, they climbed Pikes Peak, saw the Royal Gorge, and followed the Arkansas River as far as Rocky Ford where they turned south for New Mexico.
Unfortunately, James failed to record the location that he found our plant, so the collection could have been made anywhere from Adams County south along the Front Range to Fremont County. John Torrey M.D. and Asa Gray, M.D. wrote about our plant in the 1840 edition of their Flora of North America.
All three of these men, Edwin James, John Torrey, and Asa Gray, were medical doctors as were many of the botanists during this era. The study of botany was regarded as an essential component of medical training from the early 18th century until early in the 20th century because plants were the main source of medicine.
Live Music for Wednesday, May. 29th
- 6:00 PM-9:00 PM: Chance Gallagher @ Miners Saloon
- More Live Music
6PM Live Music @ Rock Rest Lodge
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: Tracking Down the Origins of the G
Photo by Barb Warden
At a neighborhood party last week, someone suggested that the "G" painted on South Table Mountain should be declared a local landmark. This got us wondering how long it had been there.
I took my usual approach to research, searching for "The G" in the old online Transcripts. The first result I found took me to the Avenue Flashes column:
There's a "67" on the rimrock near the "G" pinnacle--painting the "67" requires undying loyalty and service beyond the call of duty on the part of a few enthusiastic Golden High students--one fellow hangs from the rimrock by a rope and he paints the "67" as other students at the top of the rock hand down a broom in whitewash--the painter this year came out whiter than the "67"--but GHS tradition, recent as it is, was carried on....
Colorado Transcript - August 25, 1966
Since the writer referred to G-painting as a "recent" tradition, I thought it might have been have been painted in the mid-sixties. My next stop was the timeline that several local historians compiled several years ago. Their conclusion was, "1964: The letter “G” on South Table Mountain is painted for the first time by members of Golden High School’s Letterman Club." This aligned with my own (mid-sixties) guess.
I then turned to the collection of Golden High School yearbooks that the History Museum digitized last year. As I had hoped, I found photos where the G appeared in the background, starting with the 1967 picture shown above.
Going backward from that point, I found the G in earlier issues:
To my surprise, I spotted the G earlier than the Timeline had indicated.
The earliest yearbook photos of the G appeared in the 1958-59 edition.
Finally, I recalled a discussion that took place a few years ago in the Facebook group, "You Might Be From Golden If." At that time, someone was suggesting that the G should be removed. The rest of the group was outraged at the suggestion. Much discussion ensued.
In the end, I found this statement from Jim Baker: "I am one of the original four that put it up there. The rest were Randy Harris, Roger Dunn and Stan Dunn. LEAVE IT ALONE or we might come back and do it again." In another Facebook conversation, he said he and his friends had done it in the summer of 1958.
So there we have a solid answer from a credible source, telling us that the G was painted in the summer of 1958.
The Golden Transcript (originally called the Colorado Transcript) has been publishing since 1866. The Golden History Museum has been working on digitizing the historic issues. You’ll find old Transcripts online at coloradohistoricnewspapers.org. The Golden History Museum has also digitized the historic collection of Golden High School yearbooks.
Weather
Overnight: Mostly clear. Low around 52, with temperatures rising to around 54 overnight. West southwest wind around 6 mph.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny. High near 80, with temperatures falling to around 77 in the afternoon. South wind 2 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 53°F
Thursday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 74°F
Thursday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 50°F
Friday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 77°F
Friday Night: Partly Cloudy, 53°F
Saturday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 81°F
Saturday Night: Partly Cloudy, 56°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny, 85°F
Sunday Night: Partly Cloudy, 56°F
Monday: Mostly Sunny, 83°F
Monday Night: Partly Cloudy, 59°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny, 85°F
News Relating to Golden - May 29, 2024
The Dinosaur Express Train roars into the Colorado Railroad Museum on June 1 and 2
By Joy Meadows
Your Hub
Dinosaurs and Trains? Yes, these awe-inspiring creatures will join together again on June 1 and 2 during the Colorado Railroad Museum’s “Dinosaur Express Train” event... Read more...
CoorsTek HQ Breaks Ground in Golden
Mile High CRE
On May 22, AC Development broke ground on the CoorsTek headquarters building representing the first phase of the development of Clayworks, the large-scale redevelopment that will transform a historic five-block site in downtown Golden into a dynamic mixed-use district.
The groundbreaking ceremony marked a celebratory milestone for the project, highlighting the commencement of major construction activities that will include state-of-the-art office spaces, a boutique hotel, urban apartments, exceptional dining options, and beautifully designed new public spaces... Read more...
Golden Moon Distillery Ceasing Operations
PRESS RELEASE
Golden CO - 5-28-2024
We are saddened to announce that Golden Moon Distillery is ceasing operations effective immediately.
Founded in 2008, Golden Moon Distillery has, over the last 16 years, become of the highest awarded distilleries in the craft spirit industry. This includes dozens of major awards for our whiskies and spirits, including winning Gold or Double Gold Medals for every single-malt product (whiskey and shochu) we’ve produced at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the top spirits industry competitions in the world today. Golden Moon Distillery was also named at Distillery of the Year in 2019 by the American Distilling Institute, received honorable mention for Gin Distillery of the Year in 2021 by Gin Magazine/Icons of Gin, and was named as “Best Distillery in Colorado” three times by Westword, 2016, 2020 and 2023 (the only Colorado distillery to receive this accolade more than once), and Top Distillery in Denver by 5280 in 2015.
Golden Moon Speakeasy, Golden Moon Distillery’s tasting room and cocktail lounge has also received numerous awards and accolades, including being named Gin Bar of the Year 2021 by Gin Magazine / Icons of Gin, Best Classic Cocktail Bar in Denver by Westword in 2015 and being listed as one of the top cocktail destinations in either Denver or Colorado several dozen times by various publications including 5280, Eater, Thrillist, Vin Pair and others.
The various events of the last several years, including the trade wars, COVID, the war in Ukraine and a variety of more local external and political issues have all negatively affected both the company’s operations and our ability to raise the funds necessary to continue to pursue our business plan in the current economic environment.
According Golden Moon Distillery’s Founder, Mr. Stephen Gould, “This is all very sad. Until a few weeks ago we thought we had a buyer/investor that would have allowed the company to continue to grow and prosper, but they unfortunately were unable to deliver the investment and resources they promised. As such the company is now out of cash and time and we have no alternative at this point. We will keep Golden Moon Speakeasy operating in the near term, as we look at ways to keep that part of the business intact, likely with new ownership. That is assuming the bank allows us to do so. We appreciate all the support we’ve received over the years. My co-Founder, Karen Knight and I and the entire Golden Moon Team will miss you all …”
Golden Moon Distillery produces the Golden Moon Brand, REDUX Absinthe, the Gun Fighter American Whiskey brand and the Olde Blackhawk Spirits brand.
The company’s assets will be liquidated by Live Oak Bank in accordance with their interpretation of SBA regulations in the near future.
Supporters
Many thanks to the people and organizations who support What’s Happening in Golden? If you would like to support local news, please CLICK HERE!
Sponsors:
($100/month and up)
Buffalo Rose, Buglet Solar, Foothills Art Center, Golden City Brewery, Golden Cultural Alliance, Golden History Museum, Miners Alley Playhouse, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Morris & Mae Market, Miners Saloon, Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden Hayride Outpost, Kona Bowls, Tom Reiley, Bud Rockhill, Michael Mason, Lisa DeCaro and Len Matheo, John and Andi Pearson
Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $500/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing Paul Haseman, Donna Anderson, Carol & Doug Harwood, Beth Bidwell, Stephanie Painter, Greg Poulos, and Joy Brandt
Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $250/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Forrest Jones, Barry & Liz Bettis, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, Marjorie Sloan, Chris and Joyce Davell, Rick Flint, Forrest Jones, AC Development, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz
Members:
($10-24.99/month or $100/yr)
Brad Miller & Julie Bartos, Holly Thomas, Jim and LouAnne Dale, Ann Pattison, Thomas Hoffman, Carol Abel, Brian Quarnstrom, Sandra Curran, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Kathy Smith, Karen Smith, Carlos & Nancy Bernal, Robert Storrs, Michele Sannes, Elaine Marolla, Dixie Termin & Ron Miller, E Tom Hughes, Crystal M Culbert, Patrick A. Madison, Alice Madison & Jim Kalivas, Deb Goeldner, Christopher Ball, 6th Chair Home Services, Dot & Eric Brownson, Rosemary Coffman, Emeline Paulson, Casey & Gina Brown, Sandy Schneider, Mark and Cathy Pattridge, Cheryl G Leidich, Jen Rutter, Carol Abel, Frani R Bickart, Jennings and Litz, Bill Sedgeley, Nancy Hughes, Justin L Wade, Kathi Eggers, Traci Case, Donna Owen, Leslie D Lutz, Karen Oxman, Catherine Skokan, Ross Fraser, Lynne Haigh, Elizabeth Hilliard, Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young, Kathy Hirons & Jack Markin, Jess & Anthony Monasterio, Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch, and the Golden Transcript
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson
