This is the closing day of the National Western Stock Show. Golden has its own historic ties to the livestock industry.
Colorado is a wonderful place to grow crops if you can get water to the fields. Historically, the Clear Creek valley had many small farms, and the agricultural ditches also supported farms at some distance from the Creek. Land that wasn’t easily irrigated was generally used to raise cattle.
In the 19th century, Golden was the market town for a large territory, extending well into the mountains, so the town had many businesses that catered to ranchers.
In the 1870s and 1880s, Golden held a Market Day, where many area farmers and ranchers would bring their produce and livestock to Golden on the same day.
THE MARKET. Increased Sales and growing Interest. The interest in the Golden Live Stock Market increases with every recurring meeting, and both buyers and sellers are satisfied that the institution is now upon a sure foundation, and will exert themselves to make it a permanent success. On the last regular market day – Wednesday last, November 1st—the Stock yards presented a lively appearance, being well supplied with good stock, and there was an increased attendance of purchasers from the mountains. J. P. Mallon, of Golden, had some fine beef cattle on hand, and made several important sales to mountain butchers. Thirty two head of steers, thirtyfive cows and thirty-nine calves netted him some $1,800. J. W. Ratcliff disposed of two fat cows, weight 2,215 pounds, for $44.30. Scott Locknane, of Vasquez precinct, sold four head of beef cattle at 24. P. Desplain sold to Ed. C. Hughs, of Black Hawk, two fat steers at $43.00 Other sales swelled the transactions to nearly $2,500, this being a flattering increase over the sales at any previous market. The projectors and patrons of the market are well satisfied with its success thus far, and are encouraged to persevere. Wednesday, November 15th, is the next regular market day.…