Historical Commission Corner
News and Events
The big news from the Historical Commission is that excellent progress continues on Historical Museum Rebuild construction at 2nd Avenue and Maple (Asti Park) in Original Town. Most of the fire-resistant siding is on the building and shingles, also fire-resistant, are being applied. We are starting to make plans for possible opening ceremonies once we have an idea of when construction might be completed, which could potentially be mid to late May.
Be on the lookout for two upcoming Historical Commission events. First, the annual Spring Program is on April 17 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall (124 E Coal Creek Drive) on the exciting topic “Shootout at the Superior Depot, An Episode in the Colorado Labor Wars.” Local historian Larry Dorsey will present his PowerPoint program about fatal gunplay on the depot platform between a strike breaker and the town marshal. Who survived and who went down? You will need to attend to find out. All are welcome for this free program, no registration required.
 Superior Depot showing platform where gunplay took place and Flatirons in the distance. Photo courtesy of Carnegie Library for Local History, Boulder.
The second event is the annual Historic Walk to the Industrial Mine site. Join the Historical Commission at the Grasso Park Bungalow Interim Museum (112 E. William St.) shortly after closing at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, for a tour of Grasso Park. From there we will walk to the site of the Industrial Mine and its accompanying mine camp, the site of over 20 small miners’ houses. Participants should plan on a walk of about two miles over uneven ground and old debris. Please wear good shoes, bring water and sunscreen.
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The Superior Depot
In light of the topic of the April program, let’s take a look at the Superior depot. The rail line that serviced Superior branched off the main route at a point near 96th Street and U.S. 36 called Coalton Junction. In 1885, rails were laid through the location where the town of Superior would eventually be platted by William Hake. From there it continued on to Marshall in 1886. Eventually the tracks went across the University campus ending at the depot at 13th and Water (Canyon Boulevard) Street in Boulder.
 The stations agent's grandson, Bobby, and his puppies at the depot in 1926. Superior Historical Commission collection.
This was the Denver, Marshall and Boulder Railroad which was absorbed into the Colorado and Southern Road in 1899. In 1910, the C&S built the Superior depot to provide the young, growing community with passenger and freight services. The primary freight was the coal being extracted from the bustling Industrial Mine.
The Broomfield Depot is an example of what ours looked like since the two were built from the same pattern, which included living quarters for the station agent and his family. The Superior depot burned to the ground in the mid 1930’s under mysterious circumstances. The Broomfield Depot, now a museum, is located at Zang Spur Park on 10th Street in Broomfield and is worthy of a visit.
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Historical Interim Museum open every first Saturday
Mark your calendars and come visit the Superior Interim Historical Museum – we’re open every first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Grasso Park Bungalow (112 E. William St.), and will be open again on April 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Did You Know That:
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The term “paddy wagon” derived from the Irish version of the name Patrick which is Padraig? The huge migration of impoverished Irish to America during the potato famine in Ireland resulted in many running afoul of the law and thrown into police wagons dubbed paddy wagons because of the nickname Paddy given to Irishmen. Others suggest it was due to the large number of police officers who were of Irish descent.
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During its heyday, the Irish population of Leadville was so high it was called “Little Ireland of Colorado?”
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The Irish writer Oscar Wilde, when visiting Leadville in 1882, proved his mettle by winning a whiskey drinking contest down in the depths of a local silver mine?
For more information about the Historical Commission and its activities, contact Commission Liaison Jennifer “JG” Garner at 303-499-3675, ext. 167, Commission Chair Larry Dorsey at 303-499-1969, or just click on the “Historical Commission Info” button below.
Written by Larry Dorsey, proofed by Dorothy Mahan.
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