The Comings and Goings of Courthouses

Jefferson County built a magnificent courthouse in 1878. It was located on Washington Avenue, between 15th and 16th Streets. As that was one of the highest points in town, the courthouse was a focal point for the community. The area around it was called “Courthouse Hill,” and included some grand residences.

Homes at 1522, 1510, and 1422 Washington Avenue - all taken from Google Street Images — *A few of the old “Courthouse Hill” homes remain, repurposed for business use. –* *enlarge*

By the early 1950s, the County needed a new courthouse. The population of the Jefferson County was growing rapidly, and they needed increased capacity for records, courtrooms, and county offices. They also wanted more parking space.

The new courthouse opened on the west side of Washington Avenue in 1953. For a few years, the 1878 building housed the Jefferson County Museum (later the Golden Pioneer Museum, and now the Golden History Museum).

*Demolition of the 1878 courthouse. –* *enlarge*

The old courthouse was demolished in 1963. As the June 20, 1963 Transcript commented, “Completed in Feb. 27, 1878, the two-story brick and stone building served over 75 years as Jefferson County Courthouse until the new $900,000 structure was occupied in 1953. Nostalgia aside, the courthouse and adjacent jail are yielding to modern practicality.”

*The 1878 Jefferson County Courthouse, across the street from Foothills Art Center –* *enlarge*

To visualize the location of the 1878 courthouse, stand in front of Foothills Art Center's Creative Campus (SW corner, 15th and Washington) and look toward Castle Rock.

The 1953 Courthouse is #2 on this photo, taken by Bill Robie in 1965. #1 was the Hall of Justice. #3 was the last remnant of Golden's original City Park. #4 is the Baptist Church, still there at 19th and Washington. #5 was under construction at the time; it is now US Bank. #6 is the future home of Safeway. The store wasn't built till 1980, so homes still occupied that block when this photo was taken.

The 1953 courthouse served for 40 years and was replaced by the current building in 1993. The old courthouse building was used by the School of Mines for a few years but has since been replaced by newer construction.