March 29 1942 Diary

Sunday, 88th Day - 277 Days to Follow

Written by Margie Arbuthnot

Real nice day.  We went to Marjorie's for dinner.  In the P.M. we went to the S & C Greenhouse and enjoyed a ride through Boulder.  I called on Aunt Kate then Marjorie brote me home.  Una was not feeling very good today.  We had a very good dinner and a very good day.

Don and family here for a little while this evening.

Wrote to Dorothy and Robert tonight.

There have been three generations of Arbuthnot's who have shopped at the Sturtz and Copeland Greenhouse in Boulder.  This is the business that Grandma is referring to in her diary today.  It was founded in 1928 and has been serving the community with the most wonderful flower arrangements, plants and landscaping products.  

When I was in High School, the greenhouses were located next to Boulder High School.  We would wonder through the pallets of flowers when ever we needed to destress, it always smelled wonderful!  The business is still open today, but has moved across town.  Click here to visit the Sturtz and Copeland Greenhouses.

March 11, 1942 Diary

Wednesday, 70th Day - 295 Days to Follow

Written by Margie Arbuthnot

Don, Florence & Children, Dad and myself went to Boulder.

I to Dr. Don to dentist - all had lunch with the girls.

Got the milk check.  It has been cloudy a part of

the day and looks rather stormy tonite.

I got a bottle of medicine $.85

1933 Ariel view of Boulder, Colorado.
Pearl Street was the mail street then and now the downtown area is the pedestrian mall.

Wanted! 100 Dozen Chickens

Love the old newspapers and the things that one finds there.  Here is a classified ad from the local hotel in Boulder.  This appeared in the Boulder News and Courier, Boulder, Colorado.  Friday August 20, 1880, page 3.

Wanted.  At Brainard's Hotel, one hundred dozen chickens.

100 dozen chickens  = 1,200 chickens!

In the 1880 U. S. Census, the population of Boulder was 3,069.

Were they planning on feeding the whole town?

One wonders who all these chickens were going to feed.

What was happening at this hotel and in this town at this time.

Lois Waisbrooker, One of Boulder's first feminists

In the 1870 U. S. Census on page three, household 17, in Boulder City, Colorado Territory is listed Carson Arbuthnot and his wife Frances.  Carson ten years earlier had been sheriff in the Gold Hill Mining District, his wife was in Salt Creek, Tama County, Iowa at the time.  By 1870, they had been reunited and living together in Boulder.  Here is a portion of the U.S. Census where they appear...

Page 3, 1870 US Census for Boulder City, Colorado Territory

What is very interesting about this census are the others who are living with Carson and Franny Arbuthnot.  Two men, Scott Thomas, a carpenter and farmer, William Rinker a shoe-maker.  And a woman, a lecturer, Lois Weisbroker.  None are members of the Arbuthnot family.

I have been contacted by a person who is researching a 19th century feminist who's name is Lois Waisbrooker.  He believes that the woman living with the Arbuthnot couple is the same woman as the one he is researching.  Given that the census taker misspelled Arbuthnot as Arbuttmot - I believe that this researcher is correct and the correct spelling for this woman in this household is Lois Waisbrooker.

In the 1870's she appeared before audiences in Denver for several lectures that were announced in the Rocky Mountain News.  These appearances coincide with the time period that the census was taken.

Lois Waisbrooker was not only a speaker, but an author who wrote extensively on sex, marriage, birth control, women's rights, and related issues.  She was a radical of her time, an anarchist and spiritualist.  She was one of Boulder's first feminists who worked tirelessly for the betterment of women.  She is best known for her 1893 publication A Sex Revolution.  Ms. Waisbrooker was born Adeline Eliza Nichols in upstate New York in 1826.

One wonders, what was her relationship to the Arbuthnots?  Did her presence in the Arbuthnot home have any bearing on Franny's leaving to return to Iowa later that year where she died?  Were any characters in her book, Mayweed Blossoms, that was published in 1871, have any relationship to those whom she met in Boulder?  (Could she have been having a relationship with any of the other men in this household?)  Given that her birth name was Nichols, was she related to any of Boulder's other Nichols as there were many in Boulder since it's beginnings in February of 1859, all of whom were either friends or aquaintcients of Carson Arbuthnot.  So many questions and again, one may never know the answers.

More about Lois Waisbrooker.  

Boulder Canyon in 1874

Boulder Canyon
From the book titled Picturesque America by W. C. Bryant 
published by D. Appleton & Co. in 1874.

At the time this photo was taken, there were 4 toll gates that one had to pass through in order to arrive at the mining camp of Ward.  In Boulder Canyon, there were 17 places where one had to cross over the river, making this an extremely difficult route to the mining camps.  Going up Left Hand Canyon to Ward and Gold Hill, while still treacherous, was a much easier and the preferred route in 1874.  Tolls were also collected up Left hand.  When wet and muddy, Lick Skillet Road going into Gold Hill from Left Hand can be as slick as a well greased cast iron skillet.  Yet Left Hand Canyon was easier than Boulder Canyon for travel in the early days.

Henry M. Skinner Letter from Gold Run

Henry M. Skinner
Illinois
Photo courtesy Ric Skinner

This letter is the earliest known letter that I have seen from the gold fields of what is now Boulder County, Colorado.  Thank you to Mr. Ric Skinner for sharing your family's story, letter, and photo with me.  I wonder if Henry was sitting up on one of the Flatirons above Boulder when he wrote this letter.  It's sure easy to picture him there with the description that he gives.  Any comments in [brackets] are mine.

Rocky Mountains

District No. 1  August 6, [18]59

[Sent to Rockford, Ill.]

My Dear Friends

It’s with pleasure that I pen you a few lines this morning to let you know our whereabouts and how we are.

I sit here on a mountain that is almost perpendicular.  On one side can be seen the Broad Plains up N. T. [Nebraska Territory] and on the other large mountains covered with snow from one pass and to another.  I left you alas near Fort Laramie on Sabbath.  I spoke of our meetings and what success we were having, also of a young man that was desirous in regard to his souls best interest.

Our usual house arrived for prayer meeting - there was 7 or 8 of us collected in one of the tents and before our meeting closed his burden of Sin was removed and he was able to rejoice with us.  We had a glorious time.  He is now on his way to Heaven with us.  He takes an active part in all our meetings, which we have Sabbath and Thursday evenings.  We arrived at Laramie on Tuesday and was informed that H. Greely [Horace Greeley] had lectured to the emigrants and Gold subject and the mines of N. T.   Our team was thrown into confusion by this for some wanted to go to California and some for the Peak and after a days consideration pack 4 wagons.  Started for the Peak and the rest for Cal.  We went down to the ferry on Wednesday Night and Thursday we crossed the Platte on 3 logs tied together.  Which was a very tedious job.  We all got safe across at about 5 o’clock and camped for the night.  Next morning we started on our journey once more, arrived at Laramie at 9 P.M.  After 2 weeks travel along the foot of the Black Hills and Rocky Mts we arrived at Boulder City about 5 o’clock Thursday, 230 miles.  We found it to be a beautiful situation on Boulder Creek.  With about 100 houses made of pine logs.  On Friday there was a party of 5 of us started up the mountains.  With our packs on our backs found it rather difficult work but we arrived at what is called 12 mile diggings, 12 miles from Boulder.  We saw some gould [gold] taken out some told us they was making from 5 to 8 dollars per day and some as high as $18.  We prospected over a week in the mountains and got lost and got rather close to the Snowy Range.  We have now got our wagons up on the mts and our cattle are ranched in Boulder vicinity.  We have each a claim and are hard at work and 2 of them have a good Prospector.  There is a great deal of excitement to the gould [gold] on the other side of the mts.  The report that some being is a man take out at the rate of a poun [pound] per day pretty big story but it may be so but we will soon see for we purchased a pony Friday and one of our men starts in the morning in ? with 4 others.  It’s rather dangerous ? [lunacy?] on account of the Utah Indians that they are going in the morning.  I was talking with a Gentleman that has been there.  He says there is gould [gold] there and says the Country is beautiful, plenty of Buffalo, Elk, Antelope, Deer, Mt. Sheep, and Bear and Panthers and others to numerous to mention.  Our party will return in 10 to 12 days and then we shall know all about it and I can advise my friends in regard to coming out here.

I would say that for these mines that we are at that they are good but the most of the gould [gold] is in the Quartz and we can not do anything with it until there is a Quartz mill here.  There’s men going after them this fall and have them here in the Spring but if we go over on the Colorado.  It will be all Gulch diggings, where there is no Quartz to bother us.

I often think of the old house at home and those I love when I let down and my mind runs back to past suns?.  I have a little inclination to be homesick.  I often think as I sit down to eat Beans, Bad Bacon and Corn Bread that if I was at Mother’s ? I would have something better.  But never mind, better days coming.  Just tell some of the folks to eat 12 large ears of corn for Skinner.  We could have plenty of Elk meat, Antelope or Deer if we could spend time to hunt it but we have no time.  I often think of the family alter and those I loved to kneel with and break out a Prayer to God for his kind care over us.  But thank God I am not deprived of the privilege of prayer yet.  We meet you Night and Morning at the one common mercy Seat.  We are 5 in No [number] now who are all ?.  We have some good times.  I suppose you have lots of good meetings which we are ? of but it will not be long before we see each other  again.  I suppose there’s a great excitement in the States in regard to the gold discoveries but tell all of my Friends to keep cool until next spring and then they can tell something about it.  I suppose that Frank’s eyes stick out some to see the big stories.  Betty spoke of my wife’s mourning on account of my absence but tell her to cheer up for I hope to see her some day.  Betty I would like to have you see us here living on a mountain where we have to keep the wagon blocked and the wheel chained in order to prevent it’s going down the mountain, it’s a Romantic sight, it rains in the mountains most every day.

Mother, as I am Cook part of the time, I would like you to see my Table Spread sometimes and see me cook for I think I can make as good Biscuits as any of them.  I shall have to close for this time.

I would ask your prayers for our Co [company] that we remain faithful.  Give my love to Anna, Nelly, and Diantha, Mather, Raymond, and all inquiring friends.  Betty Jeane faithfull Hopkins remember me in your Social Devotions, give my love to all my classmates and tell them we are striving to hold up the Blood Stained Banner of the Cross.  May Heaven Bless you all.  We will remember you at our Family alter, for it matters not we are in the mountains in the cold rain with nothing but a blanket to cover us as in camp .  We will pray for those at home.

Yours ever Affectionate

Friend and Brother

In Christ

H. M. Skinner

[Henry Mead Skinner]

Please send Rockford Papers

Direct to

Denver City

Source: Boulder Genealogy Society, Quarterly, v. 45, no. 3.

Related Article:  Maps - the routes that the gold miners took.

Population Timeline for Boulder, CO with establishment of surrounding areas.

1858 (Oct. 17) - Original camp of gold-seeking men of European descent camped at the Red Rocks, above the entrance of Boulder Canyon.  Population of 12 men in this first encampment.

1859 - (Jan. 15) Mining District 1, also called Gold Hill Mining District, is established

1859 - Washington Lode was established for it's "wagon coal mine" where settlers would drive up their wagons and load up with coal to take to their home or business for heating and cooking.  This was later sold to Joseph Marshall and the encampment town of Marshall was named for him.  The coal and iron town became knows as one of the toughest and fight-ingest in the entire west.

1859 (Feb. 10th) - Due to a snow storm in the mountains, there were 56 men who came out of the mountains to establish a supply town.  These 56 shareholders (all miners from Gold Hill) establish Boulder City with 4,044 lots surveyed and offered for sale at $1,000 per lot.

1860 - Ward Mining District is established

1860 U.S. Census - Nebraska Territory (included the following communities: Boulder City, Altoona City, Boulder Creek Settlement, Gold Hill Settlement, Miravalle City, Platte River Settlement)  Population of Boulder was 324 residents.

1861 - town of Altona (mouth of Left Hand Canyon) is incorporated (first called Modoc, then Ni Wot, then Altona)

1861 - where the Overland Stage Stop is located, at the St. Vrain River, the town of Burlington is established (Today, the Overland Stage Route is Highway 287 which runs through Longmont, CO)

1861 - Colorado becomes a recognized Territory, combining portions of Utah, Nebraska and Kansas Territories.

1865 - town of Valmont (Valley+Mountain) is platted

1869 - community of Ryssby is established by seven Swedish families (along what is 63rd Street today)

1870 U.S. Census - Boulder County population was 1,939 of those 343 lived in Boulder City with Carson and Frannie Arbuthnot being listed as the oldest residents in Boulder City.

1871 - town of Longmont (for Long's Peak) was founded by the Chicago-Colorado Colony.  The town of Burlington relocates a quarter-mile north to join up with Longmont.

1874 - Even before Colorado had become it's own territory, organizing and lobbying for the university had began in 1860.  In 1874, Boulder was awarded the designation for the University of Colorado after the town of Boulder had raised $15,000 and acquired 44.9 in donated acres, beating out communities such as Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and Denver.  Since there are not enough qualified students to attend the university, the State Preparatory School - a high school, is started to prepare the students to enter the University.  This is now Boulder High School and still is represented by the original colors - purple and gold - and the original mascot - the Panthers.

1875 - town of Ni Wot (now Niwot) is established by the railroad company.  Land was donated by Porter T. Hinman, originally a gold miner, for the establishment of this community.

1880 U.S. Census - Boulder - population 3,069 

1882 - town of Louisville is incorporated.  The town first began as the Welch Mine in 1877, a coal mine that served Denver.  The town was established to serve the coal company by Louis Nawatny who platted his property and named the town for himself.

1889 - town of Broomfield established, not incorporated until 1961.  Broomfield is was an agricultural community where grains were grown and loaded on the train to transport to Zang's Brewery.

1890 U.S. Census - Boulder - population 3,330 

1890 - town of Lafayette is incorporated.  In 1888, 150 acres was platted to be the town of Lafayette to serve the growing coal mine.  Platted by the widow, Mary Miller, on her farm which had been established by her and her husband, Lafayette Miller, in 1871.

1896 - town of Superior is founded and later incorporated in 1904

1900 U.S. Census - Boulder - 6,150
1910 U.S. Census - Boulder - 9,539
1920 U.S. Census - Boulder - 11,066
1930 U.S. Census - Boulder - 11,223
1940 U.S. Census - Boulder - 12,958
1950 U.S. Census - Boulder - 19,999
1960 U.S. Census - Boulder - 37,718

1970 U.S. Census - Boulder - 66,870
University of Colorado students were counted by the U.S. Census in Boulder (rather than their home town) for the first time in 1970.

1980 U.S. Census - Boulder - 76,685
1990 U.S. Census - Boulder - 83,312
2000 U.S. Census - Boulder - 94,673
2010 U.S. Census - Boulder - 103,600 (estimated)

First White Gold Seekers October 17, 1858

At the base of the Red Rocks, on the western edge of what today is Boulder Colorado, and near where the rocks are green, called the Green Rocks, the Arapaho Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a plaque. The DAR placed it there on June 14, 1938.  It was this party of men who first found gold up Four Mile Canyon, Boulder County, Colorado.  They found gold 12 miles up the hill that established the "Gold Run" mining area and up the hill a little further, the first mining camp was established called the Gold Hill Mining District No. 1.  The plaque reads:

Original Gold Seekers Party

October 17, 1858

Alfred A. Brookfield

Captain Thomas Aikins

Daniel Gordon and brother

William Dickens

Theodore Squires

Wheelock Brothers

Captain A. K. Yount

Charles Clouser

Thomas Lorton

Samuel J. Aikins

John Rothrock

L. O. Aikins

It is these first "Gold Seekers" who were camped at the mouth of Boulder Canyon where they were met by Chief Ni Wot (Left Hand).  After coming into the Aiken's camp to negotiate peaceful co-exhistance, the Arapaho Chief shared with the Captain that he had a vision in his dream. Ni Wot had dreamed that the land where he lived was covered by a great flood, swallowing his tribe, yet the white men survived.  He interpreted this to mean that he could do nothing to stop the flood of gold seekers that was about to come to where he lived.  Where the U.S. Government had designated in signed treaties in 1851 (Treaty of Ft. Laramie) that this was "Indian Territory".  Yet, Chief Ni Wot knew that there was little that he could do to stop the flood of those seeking a new place of riches.

Article five of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851 establishes the land boundaries where the Cheyenne and Arapaho lived.  The following is this portion of Article five.

The territory of the Cheyennes and the Arapahoes, commencing at the Red Butte, or the place where the road leaves the north folk of the Platte River; thence up the north fork of the Platte River to it's source; thence along the main range of the Rocky Mountains of the head-waters of the Arkansas River; thence down the Arkansas River to the crossing of the Santa Fe road; thence in a north westerly direction to the forks of the Platte River, and thence up the platte River to the place of beginning.