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!

Fifth Annual Cemetery Tour

Arvada Historical Society Board Member Michael Thompson as Benjamin F. Wadsworth in the Arvada Cemetery Tour "Tombstone Tales" will be told Saturday September 27 at the Arvada Cemetery, 5581 Independence. Honorees will include Arvada's pioneers and former Men and Women of the Year. Guided walking hours will leave at 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm. Tickets are $6 and include refreshments. Children under 6 are free.

Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. The tour will last about an hour. Proceeds benefit Arvada Historical Society, and Arvada Cemetery Association.

Society Members Enjoy Annual Breakfast and Business Meeting

Arvada Historical Society Annual Meeting 2008 The Annual Business Meeting, in connection with Breakfast and Silent Auction, was held at 8:30 Saturday morning, August 23 at the Indian Tree Golf Club Restaurant. Many Society members attended.

The featured speaker was Bill Knott, recently retired from 37 years as Jefferson County Librarian.

Click here for photos and description of the events.

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.