In 1891, the Denver, Lakewood, & Golden Railway began running between Denver and Golden. Its right of way ran through Lakewood, entered Golden via South Golden Road, and terminated at the northeast corner of 13th and Washington–the spot currently occupied by Indulge Wine Bar.
The owners' plan was to install electric lines, so they could offer a clean, quiet way to travel between cities. Installing the lines was an expensive proposition, so as a temporary measure, they pulled the passenger cars with coal-powered steam locomotives. Year followed year and the money never did become available, so the railroad continued to use the rather noisy, smutty steam engines.
In 1904, a second interurban rail line came to town–the Denver & Northwestern. That line ran past Lakeside Amusement Park, through Arvada, along 44th Street, past Coors, and entered downtown Golden via 12th Street. The D&NW’s cars were powered by electricity from overhead lines. Eventually, the same company bought the older line that ran through Lakewood and electrified that one as well.
Streetcar ridership began to decline in the 1920s and 1930s, as more people began driving automobiles. Traffic picked up again during World War II, due to gasoline rationing and other shortages, but plummeted after the war. In 1950, both commuter lines were discontinued.
Most of the electric rail cars were scrapped at that time, but one of them was purchased, preserved, and eventually restored by the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club. It now resides at the Denver Federal Center and is opened to the public once a year.
Today is the day! You can visit and ride in Car 25, which originally ran between Denver and Golden via Lakewood. Learn more.
