Astor House: A Glimpse into Golden's Past

The Astor House, located at 822 12th St in Golden, Colorado, is a tangible link to the city's vibrant past. Constructed in 1867 from locally quarried sandstone, the two-story building initially served as a hotel and boarding house. Seth Lake, a pioneer hotelier and devout Baptist, commissioned the building, ensuring it remained a temperance establishment, the only hotel in Golden to not serve alcohol. Although its construction coincided with the relocation of the territorial capital to Denver, the Astor House played a significant role in Golden's commercial and social life. It hosted a diverse clientele, from miners to territorial legislators. Over the years, the building transitioned from a luxury hotel to a boarding house, undergoing several changes in ownership and surviving multiple fires. In 1972, facing demolition, local citizens formed the Golden Landmarks Association and successfully rallied to save the Astor House, marking a pivotal moment in the city's historic preservation movement. It reopened as the Astor House Hotel Museum, showcasing life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, Foothills Art Center manages the Astor House, using it for exhibits and events. While the Astor House has been undergoing structural rehabilitation, it continues to welcome visitors to explore Golden's artistic heritage.