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!

Gold Strike Festival June 20 and 21

Ice Cream social at McIlvoy House Make your plans now for the Eighth Annual Gold Strike Festival in Olde Town Arvada, commemorating the 159th Anniversary of the first documented gold discovery in Colorado. Arvada Historical Society will be right in the middle of things, with our old-fashioned Ice Cream Social on the lawn of historic McIlvoy House.

On June 22nd, 1850, Lewis Ralston was in a wagon train heading for the gold fields of Califormia, when he stopped to use his gold pan at the confluence of two small streams. The color he found led years later to the expeditions that discovered gold in Cherry Creek, Russell Gulch and other locations, but Ralston's discovery right here in Arvada was the start of it all.

Join us for a fun-filled weekend celebrating an important part of Arvada's history. You might even strike it rich yourself.

Arvada Historical Society’s Annual Yard Sale a Success

Arvada Historical Society Yard Sale We'd like to thank everyone who turned out, despite less than friendly weather. It was a huge undertaking, and many volunteers gave their time and labor to bring the fundraising success to Olde Town Arvada over the weekend.

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.