Press Release - 150th Anniversary of CO Gold Rush
OFFICE OF LT. GOV. BARBARA O'BRIEN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2009
Contact:
Ellen Dumm, 303 866-6361 (office), 303 829-0194 (cell), ellen.dumm@state.co.us
Lt. Gov. O'Brien Kicks Off 150th Anniversary of Colorado's Gold Rush
Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien today opened a year-long celebration of the Colorado Gold Rush in Idaho Springs. The discovery of $9 worth of gold nuggets where Chicago Creek flows into Clear Creek on January 7, 1859 began the Colorado Gold Rush.
The Historical Society of Idaho Springs and the City of Idaho Springs today kicked off a year-long celebration of the 150th anniversary of the event and the critical role mining has played in the development of our state.
"A hundred and fifty years ago, a 24-year old young Missouri man from found some gold nuggets near a sandbar where he was camping. He set in motion a series of events that would eventually lead to Colorado's territorial status and eventually statehood. It's a humble reminder that one person really can change the course of history," said Lt. Gov. O'Brien.
"The 150th anniversary of the Colorado gold rush reminds us that we have a history of boom and bust. But no matter the economic situation, Colorado has a rich historical legacy that remains no matter what happens on Wall Street," O'Brien added.
Today's opening ceremonies began at the George Andrew Jackson Monument, built in 1920 to commemorate the site of the discovery. Lt. Gov. O'Brien also read a governor's proclamation declaring January the beginning of the 150th anniversary of the Colorado Gold Rush.