Historical Markers in
Jefferson County, Colorado

1115 Washington Avenue 1211 Washington Avenue 700 Tenth Street 922 Washington Avenue A Daring Rescue Arapahoe City Billy Drew Bridge Bird Track Bone Deposition Brewing on Clear Creek-Coors History Bridge Load Ordinance Background Brontosaur Bulges Buffalo Bill Buffalo Bill's Grave — Frequently Asked Questions Buffalo Bill's Grave — Why is Buffalo Bill Buried Here? Castle Rock Charles E. Kirk Clear Creek Colorado National Guard Armory Columbine High School Cretaceous Time Dinosaur Ridge Down by the Old Mill Stream Early History of Clear Creek Farming Ferrell/Berthoud Home (Miners Hotel) First Bicycle Mishap in Golden First Building Site First Resident/Agriculturalist Front Range Foothills Fun on Courthouse Hill Gold Gold in Clear Creek Golden Alarm Bell Golden and Clear Creek Golden City Goosetown Tavern Greeley’s Crossing Horace Greeley’s Crossing Point Irrigation and Farming John Brisben Walker Jolly Rancher 1113 Washington Avenue Lariat Loop Byway: Buffalo Bill Museum Lariat Loop Byway: Denver Mountain Parks Late Jurassic Time Morrison Fossil Area Native Americans on Clear Creek Our Changing Landscape-From Sea Floor to Mountain Top Palm Fronds Play in the Wind Porcelain and Malted Milk Recreation: Past to Present Red Rocks Amphitheatre Red Rocks Park Rock Deformation Rock Flour Millstone Settlement of Clear Creek Valley Settler Farm Wife’s Initiative Stop 7: Laramie Formation (68 mya) Clay Pits Fault, Fire Clay Mining, Reclamation Stop 7a: White Ash Mine Summer White House Territorial Capital of Colorado The Astor House The Boston Company The Rocky Mountains The White Ash Mine Disaster Theropod Track Tourism Transportation Triceratops Tracks Triceratops Trail Volcanic Ash Water Carves Canyons West Alameda Parkway / Dinosaur Ridge What is the Historical Significance of this Site? What You Can See From Here Today White Ash Mine Disaster Who Was Buffalo Bill? Windy Saddle Park / Connecting to the Past Winter Wind on the Mesa
The first documented discovery of gold in Colorado was in 1858, when a group of prospectors found gold near present-day Denver. This discovery led to the Pike's Peak Gold Rush and a population boom in the area.
Jefferson County, Colorado, is located in the central part of the state and has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was first inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Ute and Arapaho, who lived off the land and utilized the region's natural resources.

In the early 1800s, European and American settlers started to arrive in the area, attracted by its fertile lands and abundant wildlife. Charles Hagerman built the first permanent structure in the county in 1859, establishing a small farming community. The discovery of gold in the nearby Colorado mountains soon brought a rush of miners to the area, leading to the establishment of mining camps and towns.

Jefferson County witnessed significant growth in the late 19th century with the construction of railroads, which connected the region to the rest of the country. The Colorado Central Railroad, completed in 1878, contributed to the development of several towns within the county, including Golden and Arvada. These towns became centers of commerce and attracted businesses, schools, and other essential services.

The 20th century saw Jefferson County transform from a predominantly agricultural and mining economy to a more diverse and urbanized area. The construction of major highways, such as Interstate 70, spurred suburbanization and further economic growth. The county experienced a population boom, fueled by the growth of nearby Denver.

Today, Jefferson County encompasses a mix of urban and rural areas, offering residents a high quality of life with access to natural attractions like the Rocky Mountains and numerous parks. The county continues to attract new businesses and residents while preserving its rich history and natural beauty.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Jefferson County, Colorado.

  • 1859 - Gold is discovered in Jefferson County, leading to a gold rush in the area.
  • 1861 - Jefferson County is established as one of the original 17 counties in the Colorado Territory.
  • 1864 - The first school in the county, Arvada Flour Mill School, is built.
  • 1870 - The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad reaches Jefferson County, improving transportation and commerce in the area.
  • 1903 - The Colorado State Home for Dependent and Neglected Children, now known as the Wheat Ridge Regional Center, is established in Jefferson County.
  • 1933 - Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is opened to the public, becoming a popular venue for concerts and events.
  • 1950 - The Jefferson County Airport, later known as the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, opens for operation.
  • 1957 - Jefferson County Junior College, now known as Red Rocks Community College, is established.
  • 1970 - The Jefferson County Government Center is constructed in Golden, becoming the primary seat of government.
  • 1999 - The Jefferson County Public Library system is formed, merging several smaller libraries in the county.