The 1890s
1890
June 27, 1890
Westminster platted as Harris Park. It is originally called Harrisburg. The name is changed to Westminster in 1908.
July 21, 1890
Severe rain storm begins after a long dry spell causing Clear Creek to flood, claiming three lives in Clear Creek Canyon
1891
George West gives half ownership of the Transcript to son Leslie, publisher becomes "Geo. West & Son"
September 20, 1891
The first tramway to Lakewood and Golden from Denver begins service by the Denver, Lakewood and Golden Railway Company. It later becomes part of the Denver Tramway Corporation and is popularly known as the “Loop.”
1892
July 4, 1892
Mount Olivet Cemetery opens. It is called "The New City of the Dead.”
1893
- World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago where Coors exhibits beer and the Golden Pressed and Fire Brick Co. showcases their products; both companies win awards
- Brooks Field, home of the Colorado School of Mines’ football team, opens
November 7, 1893
Women's suffrage approved statewide by a 55% to 45% margin. Jefferson County men approved suffrage by 62%, which was higher than the statewide average of 55%.
1894
April 3, 1894
Golden citizens elect the first woman to hold public office anywhere in Jefferson County: Ella Deaver is elected Treasurer of the City of Golden
May 30-June 1, 1894
Floods hit Clear Creek, Bear Creek and South Platte, causing major damage along rivers and in Golden and Morrison
November 1894
Ball lightning lights up the sky over Golden
1896
Sparks from a passing train start a fire in Buffalo Creek, burning the original J.W. Green Mercantile building and much of the town
July 24, 1896
Great Flood from massive thunderstorm inundates Bear Creek, Clear Creek, Cub Creek, Golden Gate Canyon, Mt. Vernon Canyon, South Platte River and Tucker Gulch. Twenty-nine lives are lost at Evergreen, Golden, Morrison and Mt. Vernon Canyon, with great material destruction in Clear Creek Canyon, Golden and Morrison.
1898
First female student, Florence Caldwell, graduates from the Colorado School of Mines
Harley Dean West, George West’s younger son, makes his debut writing for the Transcript from the front during the Spanish-American War
August 28, 1898
Train wreck near Dome Rock Station takes the life of William "Billy" G. Westall, engineer for the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad. Guiding a train with 450 passengers back to Denver, Westall discovers the tracks ahead of his train are blocked. He does his best to stop the train but it hits the debris and keels over, pinning Westall and seriously injuring him. His passengers all survive but he dies later that night.
1899
City of Golden passes ordinance to prohibit donkeys, cows and sheep from running loose in the streets
September 4, 1899
A.O.U.W, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, erect monument to honor Billy Westall near the Dome Rock Station along the North Fork of the South Platte River, about halfway through the canyon. Students from West Jefferson Middle School work to preserve and restore the monument 2012-2014.