Buffalo Creek Disaster

One of worst floods in US occurred here 26 February 1972, when Buffalo Mining Co. impoundment dam for mine waste broke, releasing over 130 million gallons of black waste water: killed 125; property losses over $50 million; and thousands left ...

Edward Coleman House

Edward Coleman built this house in 1866 and lived here, with his wife Luisa, until 1891. He was Pres/Supt of the Idaho Mine. Director of Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad and owned interests in the Mohawk Lumber Company.

Marker is at ...

Hatfield Cemetery

Capt. Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield, 1839-1921, is buried here. He was the leader of his clan in the bitter family feud with the McCoys. A life-sized statue, modeled from photographs and imported from Italy, marks his grave.

Marker is on Jerry ...

"The Old Church"

Built in 1903 with stone from Tempe Butte and dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, this church is the oldest in the valley.

For decades it was the only Catholic Church in the area and former Pastors include Bishop James ...

Golden and Clear Creek

The history of Golden reflects the history of Clear Creek. Eons ago, this creek, then a raging river, coursed its way through the mountains, cutting out the canyon and leaving behind fertile soil where an abundance of plants provided food ...

Landmark Restaurant / Mesa Community College

[Upper Marker]:

Mormon Church 2nd Alma Chapel meeting house, 1911. Sold, 1954 to Producers Insurance Company. First Campus Mesa Community College, 1963. Converted to a restaurant in 1973.

[Lower Marker]:

This is the site of the original Campus of Mesa Community College, which ...

Golden City

From the beginning, Clear Creek has determined the layout of the town first known as “Golden City.” Golden is placed at an angle from the compass to align its streets to the river. The first river crossing also determined the ...

Native Americans on Clear Creek

For many years, the Ute Indians lived in the mountains west of the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon, hunting and trading with area travelers. The Arapaho, refugees from the Great Lakes region, and the Cheyenne arrived in the area during ...

Greeley’s Crossing

In June, 1859, while the first bridge was being built over Clear Creek, the famous reporter Horace Greeley passed through Golden. He attempted to cross Clear Creek from this point on the south bank. Horace embarked on his mule from ...

Bridge Load Ordinance Background

Colorado Transcript, September 13, 1882: “Washington Avenue Bridge was badly damaged last Saturday evening by some ignoramus driving and crowding a big drove of cattle on to it. The damage has since been repaired.”

Golden Globe, September 23, 1882: “A Grand ...