Golden

Golden was founded in 1859, during the Colorado gold rush. While some gold was found in Clear Creek, it chiefly served to provide a route into the mountains. The large gold deposits were discovered in Black Hawk, Central City, and Idaho Springs. Golden served as a supply town for those heading into the mountains. Many of the towns established during the gold rush vanished as quickly as they had arisen, but Golden had staunch advocates, and over time it became the Territorial Capitol, a railroad hub, the county seat, the site of the state mining college, and the home of Adolph Coors Brewery. These enterprises helped keep Golden on the map. It remained a small but vital town through two World Wars and a Great Depression.