Golden residents prepared to celebrate the coming of the Colorado Central Railroad this week in 1870. In a meeting held at Harrison’s Hall, several men gave remarks before a committee was appointed to appoint another committee to “arrange programme” for a celebration of the railroad’s impending arrival. “The Colorado Transcript” expressed that it was “pleased to see a goodly number of ladies present, who seemed to take a lively interest in the matter.”
An article elsewhere in the paper indicated the numerous committee meetings were a success, as the citizens of Golden were invited to attend final planning meetings and a celebration September 13 in honor of the completion of the railroad. Activities were expected to include the ringing of the church bells at sunrise, 2 pm, and sunset, the driving of the last spikes at 2 pm, “prayer by the chaplain of the day,” singing by the choir, addresses, and a dance in a local warehouse.
Although the dedication was to be held the on September 13, the railroad company estimated that the line would not be open until sometime between September 15 and September 20, 1870. The railroad planned to lay track at the controlled rate of one half mile of track per day until it reached Golden.
“The Colorado Transcript” urged area Democrats to attend a speech by Judge Bennet in favor of Joe Chaffee’s candidacy. This was not because the “Transcript” endorsed Chaffee; quite the opposite, the paper wanted the opposing politician heckled appropriately. The paper took issue with not only his political views, but also with his method of campaigning. They posited the Republicans ran “a pretty shrewd game, but will not win this time.”
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