85 Years Ago
The cornerstone was laid for our downtown post office on June 17, 1940. Many residents joined in the celebration and the downtown businesses closed for the event. Opening of this building ended 80 years of a migratory existence.
Golden’s first Post Office was in the Boston Company building, located in what is now Parfet Park.
The second home for Golden's Post Office (1873-1884) was the Everett building, at the corner of 12th and Washington.
Home #3 was the Bella Vista Hotel at 12th and Jackson (1884-1901).
Home #4 was the Rubey Bank Building (1902-1914).
Home #5 was the Armory Building (1914-1941).
Home #6 - 12th and Jackson.
In 1938, Golden requested appropriation for a dedicated (stand-alone) post office, citing crowded condition in its Armory location. The request was successful. The site at 12th and Jackson was selected based on its proximity to Coors and visibility from both Ford and Jackson. The new elementary school, which also received substantial federal funding, had recently opened on the other side of 12th Street. Together, these two new public buildings resulted in revitalization of what had been a declining part of town.
Would-have-been-Home #7 - 17th and Jackson
Golden outgrew the "new" (1941) post office almost immediately, and construction on a new one began in the mid-1960s. The new building was being built on the lot across from Safeway, now an apartment building for School of Mines students. The building collapsed on September 4, 1969, injuring 4 workers and killing one. Some remnants of the building remained there until the site was cleared for the current project.
Home #7 - 1100 Johnson Road (map)
The new and bigger Golden Post Office on Johnson Road opened in 1998. A few years later, the U.S. Postal service considered selling the downtown office as they deemed it surplus. The Golden community objected, the Postal Service backed off, and we currently have two Golden Post Offices!
