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Scorch Marks, MTAB, and More Milling

Fire Followup – Yesterday I posted Chris Davell’s photo of a Sunday night fire on Mount Zion. To provide context, Chris took another photo on Monday morning, so you can see where the fire was, relative to the road, the M, and the top of the mountain. Many thanks to our first responders for keeping the fire so contained! And thanks to Chris Davell for the photos. – Click to enlarge.

Public Health References
CDC * Colorado * Jefferson County * City of Golden

Coronavirus report from Jeffco Public Health’s Case Summary Page, as of 4PM Monday:

Cases in Jeffco
Friday: 2532 Monday: 2554
Deaths in Jeffco
Friday: 203 Monday: 205
Ever Hospitalized in Jeffco
Friday: 414 Monday: 416 (currently 17)
Recovered
Friday: 2222 Monday: 2252
Known Cases in Golden
Friday: 110 Monday: 110

The Safer at Home protocol is in effect. Check the City’s site to learn more about what that entails. Everyone is still requested to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth when leaving the house. City and County fire restrictions are in place. Clear Creek is open for Kayaks and Canoes. Learn more….


Virtual Golden

7:30-8:30AM Coffee Connections with the Chamber
9-9:40AM Virtual Core Conditioning
10:15-11:15AM Baby & Toddler Time with the Library
6PM Mobility & Transportation Advisory Board Meeting (MTAB)
MTAB will discuss crosswalk installations and the traffic calming ordinance.
6:30PM Friends of Mines Museum Lecture Series: Ranger Ed Welsh, Badlands National Park


In-Person Golden

5-7PM VIBE@Five with the Chamber at the Goosetown Events Center (limited to 40 people)


Golden History Moment

Excerpt from the 1873 Birdseye View Map of Golden with the Golden Mill and the Mill Race that Powered it Highlighted. Click to enlarge.

The Golden Mill was one of the City’s earliest industries, having been built in 1864 by David Barnes. The mill race that powered the mill was built at the same time, giving the business very senior water rights. Mr. Barnes also built the impressive Italianate mansion that still stands behind the Mill on Water Street (now subdivided into apartments).

David Barnes home at 622 Water Street (map)

In 1876, Jesse Quaintance bought the business with its mill race. He and his son Brough ran the business until Jesse’s death in 1889. At that point, Brough turned to other types of business.

Golden Milling Company, circa 1900 – Golden History Museum collection – Click to enlarge

Fred Buckman was running the mill in 1898 when a newly formed company, The Golden Milling Company, purchased the mill. The new company was owned by several prominent local businessmen, including J.H. Linder of Linder Hardware and J.W. Rubey of the Rubey Bank. They hired J.F. Vivian to manage the business.

Golden Mill, circa 1910 – Golden History Museum collection – Click to enlarge

The Peery brothers of Tennessee bought the Mill in 1920 and operated it successfully for several decades. Their son Mayford joined the business. Mayford had graduated from Golden High School and the Colorado School of Mines before serving as a pilot during World War II.

After the War, the flouring industry changed, local farming was disappearing, and small mills like the Golden Mill were no longer cost-effective. At the same time, the old mill race was increasingly regarded as a hazard, as more than one child drowned in it. In 1954, the City paid to electrify the mill and bought the 1864 water rights. They then filled in the old mill race.

Golden Mill, circa 1950s – Golden History Museum collection – Click to enlarge

The business continued under the “Golden Mill” name, even though they were no longer milling. It served as a feed store for about 60 more years, and is now being remodeled to serve as a food hall, also under the name of Golden Mill.

Many influential Golden people have been associated with the Golden Mill throughout its 150+ year history. The Quaintance family went on to own large swaths of the state, ran the Castle Rock funicular and dance hall, and still own the Castle Rock part of South Table Mountain. John F. Vivian went on to be Mayor of Golden and his son, John C. Vivian, was Governor of the State of Colorado. The Peery family was responsible for a significant part of Golden’s post-World War II development. Peery Parkway was theirs, of course, and they built the Gold Apartments and Golden Office Building east of Parfet Park. Norman D. Park on Ford Street was named after Mayford and Winnifred’s son Norman, who was killed in Viet Nam. City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Ed Ramstetter owned the Golden Mill feed store until his death in 2003. Ed’s picture can be seen on the Ford Street bridge, on the rail closest to the Golden Mill.

Highlights