Gold Found in Ralston's Creek - Arvada, Colorado - June, 1850

Arvada's story began with Colorado's first gold discovery.

On June 22, 1850, a wagon train bound for California crossed the Platte River just north of the confluence with Clear Creek, following Clear Creek west for six miles.

The members of the wagon train rested for a day, and Lewis Ralston dipped his gold pan in an unnamed mountain stream. He found almost $5 in gold in his first pan.

John Lowery Brown, who kept a diary of the party's journey from Georgia to California, wrote on that day: "Lay bye. Gold found." In a notation above the entry, he wrote, "We called this Ralston's Creek because a man of that name found gold here."

Ralston continued on to California, but returned to 'Ralston's Creek' with the Green Russell party eight years later. Members of this party founded Auraria (later Denver City) in 1858 and touched off the gold rush to the Rockies.

This creek and park is at I-76 and Sheridan Boulevard.

Read all about it @ http://arvada.org/about-arvada/arvada-history/

The Cherokee Trail

Ralston's Gold Discovery

Gold Fever

Ralston Creek Trail

June 22, 1850

Placer Mining

Flat Stanley at Ralstron Creek Trail

Flat Stanley Learns About Gold Discovery

Bridge Over Ralston Creek Trail

Gold Strike Park