WELCOME!

to the Arvada Historical Society. We are located in Arvada, Colorado, on the northwest border of Denver, in Jefferson county Our history began when Lewis Ralston discovered gold here in 1850, at the confluence of an unnamed tributary of Clear Creek (now known as Ralston Creek) - the first documented gold strike in Colorado. By the early 1860s, the land was being farmed, watered by ditches essential to agriculture in our semi-arid region. Benjamin Wadsworth and Louis Reno platted the town, and Wadsworth established the first post office in 1870. Agriculture was the mainstay of the town, which at one time was renowned as the "Celery Capital of the World."

In May 2005, the Arvada Historical Society, founded in 1972, moved into the historic McIlvoy House. We are excited that our collections of historic photographs, documents, books, and newspapers, among others, are now available to the public. Come visit us at 7307 Grandview Avenue - we'll put on the coffee pot and chat about Arvada, or perhaps look through the photos. Maybe you'll recognize a face or place. There's nothing better than a visit from a neighbor to make our day!

Our dedicated volunteers are organizing and cataloging the collections, and we plan to begin posting information from the archives here at our website.

We invite you to browse our website and learn more about the history of this community, Arvada, that we call home. Visit often, and remember to bookmark this site!

Join Us August 23 for Annual Breakfast and Business Meeting

Featuring a silent auction, which was very popular last year.

The Annual Business Meeting, in connection with Breakfast and Silent Auction, will be held Saturday morning, August 23 at the Indian Tree Golf Club Restaurant. Make plans now to attend and watch this space for further information.

Click here for information on how your donations can help the Arvada Historical Society.

Arvada school, built 1882, now visible on Olde Wadsworth Blvd.

Exterior of the early Arvada brick school, 5650 Wadsworth Boulevard, Jefferson County, Colorado, includes students and teacher on entry stairs in front of the brick building. Shown are: Miss Nettie E. Stilling, teacher; Clara Swadley, Mary Juchem. Nanny Bacon, Clara Bacon, Della Allen, Lila Mitchell, Laura Swadley, Laura Jolly, Ruth Graves, Emma Bacon, Sally Swadley, Maud Jolly, Jennie Mitchell, Dolly Bacon, Frankie Bacon, Esther Bacon, Robert Swadley, Ollie Graves, Baron Bacon, Bent Allen, Charlie Graves, Harry Emerson, Fred Emerson, Horace Reno, LeClare Reno, George Bacon, John Jolly, Bob Graves, Herbie Reno, Arthur Ostrander, and Bert Ostrander. The one room school has a hipped roof, arched double door entry, four side sash windows with brick voussoirs and stone keystones.

Students and teacher identification from "More Than Gold, A History of Arvada, Colorado, During The Period, 1870-1904" by the Arvada Historical Society.
Source: Ethel Dark

Any additional details? E-mail webmaster@arvadahistory.org.