A Brief History of Jefferson County

Jefferson County has a history rich in people, events and progress. Take some of the early residents, for example. Many helped put the "wild" in the wild, wild west. Details about Buffalo Bill, members of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang and Alferd Packer, Colorado's alleged cannibal, can be found below. Additionally, the feverish new commerce that prompted the formation of the county, as well as details on the early government, are described here.

From Lawless to Governed: The Early Years

Ingrained into the very fabric of the county is its much more noble beginnings. Taking the name of the third U.S. president Thomas Jefferson, the county was formally organized in 1861 by the Colorado Territorial Legislature. 

The need for an organized local government began in the late 1850s when droves of gold-seeking settlers came West. In 1858, when gold was discovered in the Rocky Mountains, there were fewer than 200 settlers in the area. An influx of nearly 35,000 people arrived two years later, lured by the glitter of gold.

On Those Who Took Office

• The first provisional governor of Jefferson Territory was Robert W. Steele, who lived at Mount Vernon. 

• Eli Carter, the county's first recorder, began recording everything from marriage contracts to mining claims in January 1860. 

• William Gilpin, first governor of the Colorado Territory, called an election for December 1861.

• Elected officials who took office in January 1862 were Theodore P. Boyd, Thomas C. Bergen, and David K. Wall, county commissioners; J.C. Remington, sheriff; George H. Richardson, clerk and recorder; John M. Ferrell, treasurer; J.R. Ward, assessor; Edward L. Berthoud, surveyor; S.W. Lincoln, coroner; William T. Muir, probate judge; J.B. Wolff, attorney; and George West, school superintendent. 

• County offices were located in Loveland Hall until 1877 when the first Jefferson County Courthouse was built. 

A Financial History-In Brief

• The county tax was 6 mills and the school tax was 2.5 mills in 1862. County taxes for that year amounted to $1,594.61. By comparison, in 1996 Jefferson County's mill levy was 25.584 and property taxes alone exceeded $96,000,000.   

• In the early years, farmers and ranchers thrived by supplying food and supplies to the mining towns scattered throughout the mountains. 

• Mining could be found, not only in places like Central City and Black Hawk, but also along the Hogback in Idledale, on Lookout Mountain, and in Genesee.

• Commissioners in 1862 were paid $3 per day for their meetings plus mileage to the meeting hall.

Modes of Transportation

• Several enterprising pioneers built toll roads to carry people from the plains to the mountain communities. 

• The old Mt. Vernon Toll Road went from Denver to the present day Bergen Park, Conifer and the South Park area and was built by Dr. Joseph Casto, an Ohio minister. 

• A trip down the canyon to Denver by horse and wagon for supplies was a four-day excursion with overnight stays in Golden and Denver. 

• In 1880 the toll road was purchased by Jefferson County for $700 and declared a public highway.

• John Patrick and his family, who came to the area in 1860, received a charter and built the Genesee Toll Road that went up Mt. Vernon Canyon and on to the mines near Idaho Springs and Central City. 

Notable Characters

• Reportedly, the John Patricks were a colorful family whose names appeared in the local news numerous times because of family murders and court disputes.  Their home is used today as the caretaker's house near the elk preserve west of Genesee Park. 

• Alferd Packer, Colorado's alleged cannibal, lived in Deer Creek. Local residents say that Packer stayed in a dugout known as Colorow's Cave following his parole from prison in 1901. Always maintaining his innocence, Packer was well liked by his Deer Creek neighbors and worked as a hired hand on many local ranches. He died in 1907 and is buried in the Littleton cemetery.

• Deer Creek Canyon was a popular rest stop for Jesse James and Horsethief Thompson, a member of the notorious Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. 

• While "cooling off" after a train robbery, James visited the Mielke family on Sampson Mountain. He reportedly gave Mielke a gold bar for his hospitality. Mielke would scrape gold off the bar to pay for his supplies. 

• Horsethief Thompson, a self-taught veterinarian, was respected more for his animal handling skills than his criminal activities. Many oldtimers in Deer Creek grew up with stories about Horsethief Thompson's loot, which he supposedly hid in the area. No one found his treasure and the slippery Thompson was never caught.

There are many, many more facts, figures and personalities in the history of Jefferson County. If you want to explore the earlier days and learn more, you are encouraged to visit your local Jefferson County Library branch.

Compiled by Jefferson County Records Management & Archives.

Last Modified:Apr 21, 2009 08:28 AM