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Littleton Colorado City Information
By City of Littleton

The history of Littleton can be traced to the "Pikes Peak" gold rush of 1859. Along with the gold-seekers came merchants and farmers to provide the necessities of life. As the metropolis of Denver City began to grow, the need arose to construct a series of ditches to carry water to farms and businesses without ready access to rivers and creeks in this arid land. Among the engineers hired to lay out this system was young Richard Sullivan Little of New Hampshire.

Surveying in an area several miles south of Denver, Little fell in love with the site of present-day Littleton. Upon filing a home stake and other land claims, Richard brought his wife Angeline from the East in 1862, the dry climate all but cured her asthmatic condition, and began to farm. The Littles joined with several neighbors to build the Rough and Ready Flour Mill in 1867, providing a solid economic base in the community for years to come.

In 1872, the Littles filed a plat to subdivide much of their property into the village of Littleton. When the Denver and Rio Grand Railroad reached the area in 1871, settlement began at a rapid pace. By the time of Colorado’s statehood in 1876, there were schools, churches, a hotel, stores and many of the other trappings of civilization. In 1890, the 245 residents voted to incorporate the Town of Littleton.

Old Train Station

A milestone in the history of Littleton came in 1902 then the old Arapahoe County (dating from pre-Colorado Territory days) was divided into Arapahoe, Denver, Adams, Washington and Yuma Counties. Then-Governor Orman named Littleton the temporary county seat, placing it in a favorable position to defeat rival Englewood in the general election in 1904. Gaining the permanent county seat brought not only government employees and businesses, but all of their support services. Littleton’s place among Colorado’s cities was assured.

Agriculture remained the staple industry of Littleton until after World War II. Beginning with electronics and pneumatics, moving to munitions and finally to aerospace, manufacturing became the important employer and a magnet for the boom in housing development during the fifties, sixties and seventies. The area now known as Riverwalk and Centennial Golf Course was Centennial Turf Club home of the Centennial Race track were horse racing was a major attraction. Built in 1950 and surviving the flood of 1965 the track existed until 1983 and hosted many big name racers. Littleton added Arapahoe Community College in 1965 to further enhance its appeal. Chatfield Reservoir was build in 1972 as a result of the great flood of 1965 in the area now known as Centennial Golf Course and south to the Aspen Grove Shopping area. When Littleton celebrated its centennial in 1990, its population had grown to 33,661.

Light Rail Station

Lightrail train service began in October of 1994 and has expanded over the years. As RTD's light rail system expands, so do your transportation options. You can ride light rail from the suburbs to the city and make connections to other RTD services. Catch the C Line to LoDo or the D Line to the heart of Downtown Denver and Five Points. Hop on RTD's FREE MallRide at Union Station or at bus stops all along the 16th Street Mall. Get off at Market Street Station and transfer to another RTD bus or take skyRide to Denver International Airport. It's all part of the metrowide transit plan to get you where you're going.

As of 2005 the population of Littleton is 40,599. and average age is 38.8. There are 93.3% High School grads and 49.1% College grads. Average income for families with children is $83,456.

Be sure to visit Western Welcome Weeks 77th annual festival and parade. During the month of August. Western Welcome Week is an eleven-day celebration with over 40 events including arts and crafts, golf tournament and parade. Check out www.westernwelcomeweek.com

This information in part comes courtesy of City of Littleton www.littletongov.org/history/ and Western Welcome Week.
Permission by Cindy Hathaway