Our new exhibit, "The Way We’ve Played," highlights
recreational activities in the Golden area from around
1859 through 1930. Many of these activities are the same
ones that we still enjoy today such as sightseeing,
hiking, fishing, rock climbing, roller skating, cycling,
golf and tennis. Horse racing and rodeos were popular
early attractions. By the 1920’s people came to Golden
to swim at the Progress Plunge Pool at the Overland
Hotel which was on the east side of Washington Avenue
between what is now 12th and 13th Streets.
Golden was always a frequent destination
spot for Denverites seeking to escape the city. Before
the advent of the automobile, they would come by horse
and buggy to enjoy a picnic in the mountains. A burro
could be rented by those adventurous enough to ride a
narrow zig-zag path up to Castle Rock atop South Table
Mountain.
In 1905, electric cars, or "yellow
perils" as they were called, started running from Denver
to Golden. The tram depot, situated where the Foss Drug
Store is now located, offered easy access to local
activities. By 1914, the tram was running hourly.
In 1913, the string of burros to Castle
Rock was replaced by a funicular railroad. Tracks were
laid up the mountainside and open cars were pulled up by
means of a cable counterbalanced by the car making the
return trip. Each car held 32 people and the round-trip
fare was 50 cents. This same year, the Lariat Trail Road
was opened. For 95 cents, people could board a
Seeing-Denver auto bus for a scenic trip from Denver to
the summit of Lookout Mountain and back.
A funicular railroad was also opened to
the top of Lookout Mountain in 1912. A refreshment stand
and bowling alley were built at the top of the
funicular. Dance pavilions were built at the summits of
both of the funiculars, and special tram cars ran from
Denver at night so that people could attend the dances.
Both pavilions also were equipped with telescopes for
sightseeing.
The exhibit, which will run from June
7th through August, will feature artifacts from these
recreational activities as well as from team sports
played in the area. Come see how we’ve played!
