Gold Strike Park, located at the confluence of Clear Creek and Ralston Creek in present-day Arvada, Colorado, marks a pivotal moment in American history. This site is where Georgia prospector Lewis Ralston discovered a small but significant gold deposit in 1850—eight years before the Colorado Gold Rush of 1858. Though initially overlooked, Ralston’s discovery foreshadowed the massive influx of prospectors and settlers who would change the region forever.
In this article, we explore the historical significance of Ralston’s find, the park’s connection to Colorado’s mining history, and how modern visitors can experience this landmark today.
The Historical Significance of Gold Strike Park
Gold Strike Park is listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Places for its significance as the site of the first documented gold strike in the state. For locals and tourists interested in Denver’s history, Gold Strike Park offers a tangible link to the events that precipitated Colorado’s settlement.
In the mid-19th century, this quiet creekside spot witnessed a pivotal moment – one that would ripple out to shape the destiny of Denver and the entire region.
Lewis Ralston’s 1850 Gold Discovery at Ralston Creek
The story begins on June 22, 1850. A wagon train of about a hundred prospectors – many of Cherokee heritage – was trekking westward to the California gold fields. Along the way, they camped by Clear Creek, near the mouth of a smaller stream in what is now Arvada.
Early that morning, Lewis Ralston, a prospector from Georgia, decided to try his luck panning the waters of the tributary. To his excitement, Ralston washed out approximately a quarter ounce of gold (worth about $5 at the time) from the creek bed.
The Naming of Ralston Creek
It was the first gold any of the party had seen since leaving Georgia, and in honor of Ralston’s find the group named the stream “Ralston’s Creek.” One member of the party recorded in his diary, “We called this Ralston’s Creek because a man of that name found gold here” – a name that has persisted on maps ever since.
Ralston’s discovery was Colorado’s first documented gold strike, earning him recognition as the man who sparked the state’s mining heritage. However, at the time it caused no immediate rush. The Cherokee prospectors were en route to California and remained focused on that goal.
By the next day, most of the party – unimpressed by the modest find – packed up camp and continued westward. Ralston himself lingered an extra day or so to pan more of the creek, but ultimately he could not stay behind alone in the wilderness.
He rejoined his companions, carrying only a small pouch of gold for his efforts. The group’s California dreams took precedence over what seemed a trivial discovery on the Colorado plains.
From a Small Find to the Colorado Gold Rush
Lewis Ralston’s 1850 gold strike might have been a footnote in history if not for what came next. Eight years later, in 1858, news of Ralston’s earlier find encouraged prospectors to return to the area. That summer, Ralston joined another expedition back to “Ralston’s Creek,” this time accompanied by seasoned gold seekers including William Green Russell.
The 1858 Gold Discovery
They arrived at the creek in late June 1858 to prospect the same spot where Ralston had found gold years before. For several days they worked Ralston Creek with little to show. Frustrated, Ralston and many others in the party decided to give up once again and head home. But a handful of determined prospectors, led by Green Russell, stayed behind along the South Platte River just a few miles away.
The Pike’s Peak Gold Rush
Their persistence paid off and in July 1858, Russell’s small group discovered a richer placer gold deposit at the mouth of Little Dry Creek (near present-day Englewood, south of Denver). This strike, though still relatively modest, was enough to ignite excitement across the frontier.
News of gold in “Pike’s Peak Country” spread like wildfire back east. By 1859, tens of thousands of fortune-seekers stampeded into the region in what became known as the Colorado Gold Rush or Pikes Peak Gold Rush.
The slogan “Pikes Peak or Bust!” emblazoned on prairie schooners reflected the frenzy of that migration. Importantly, it was the reports of Ralston’s initial find and the follow-up discoveries of 1858 that “caused the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush of 1859, which resulted in the permanent settlement of Colorado.” In other words, Ralston’s little gold pan on a quiet creek in Arvada ultimately led to the founding of Denver and the rapid development of Colorado Territory.
Gold Strike Park: A Historic Landmark in Arvada
Today, Gold Strike Park preserves this pivotal site so that visitors can appreciate its significance. The park’s location at the confluence of Ralston Creek and Clear Creek is a peaceful spot, ringed by cottonwood trees and traversed by bike paths, yet it holds an almost mythic status in local lore.
A Colorado historical marker near the site commemorates Ralston’s 1850 discovery and notes that it occurred “one mile north of this point” – underscoring how this humble creek bed launched a chain of events shaping state history.
The Legacy of Ralston in Arvada
In fact, the City of Arvada itself has roots entwined with Ralston’s name. When the town was first platted in 1870, it was called Ralston Point. And to this day, many local landmarks bear his name – from Ralston Road and Ralston Creek to Ralston Valley High School – a testament to the lasting legacy of that golden moment.
A Treasure of Local History
Though no major riches are left to be found at this urban historic site, the true treasure of Gold Strike Park is its educational and heritage value. The City of Arvada has installed interpretive signs along the trails, recounting the saga of Ralston’s discovery and the ensuing gold rush.
Visitors interested in Denver-area historical landmarks will find the park easily accessible – just a short drive from downtown Denver – and rich with context about the birth of Colorado’s gold fever.
For more insight into this historic site, watch this informative video:
Plan Your Visit
- Address: Gold Strike Park, 14707 W. 64th Ave, Arvada, CO
- Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk
- Nearby Attractions: Arvada Historical Society, Clear Creek Trail, Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
