Imagine stepping back in time to 1858 when gold was discovered in the South Platte River Valley, putting the area that we now know as Westminster, Colorado, on the map. This discovery sparked a wave of national interest, drawing adventurous souls seeking fortune. The allure of striking it rich, coupled with the opportunities presented by The Homestead Act of 1862, convinced many pioneers from the east to make Colorado their home instead of continuing their journey to California.

Before the pioneers arrived, the land was home to magnificent wildlife like antelope and buffalo, and evidence suggests that the Arapaho Indians frequented the Crown Point (Gregory Hill) area. Fast forward to 1870, when the first permanent settler, Pleasant DeSpain, a Kentucky farmer, built his home on 160 acres of land, near what we now call West 76th Avenue and Lowell Street. This marked the beginning of what would become DeSpain Junction, attracting other settlers like Edward Bruce Bowles, who crafted a beautiful brick Italianate house, known today as the Bowles House, a cherished piece of history listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988.

Despite the challenges of farming in Colorado’s arid climate, the village of DeSpain Junction flourished, drawing the attention of Connecticut real estate developer C.J. Harris in 1885. Harris saw the potential and purchased the DeSpain farm and other neighboring plots, dividing them into smaller tracts of land sold to fruit farmers. With his vision and determination, DeSpain Junction was renamed Harris, Colorado.

In 1890, Henry T. Mayham, a New Yorker with a grand vision, persuaded the Denver Presbytery to establish a university on his land in Harris. After overcoming challenges and delays, the Westminster University of Colorado was born, fashioned after the esteemed Princeton University. It quickly gained recognition as the “Princeton of the West,” offering education and promise to the community.

Through the years, Westminster evolved, facing trials such as the closure of the university during World War I, only to rise again as a vibrant city. In 1911, with a nod to its educational legacy, the city voted to incorporate and adopted the name Westminster, a tribute to the university that had once graced its landscape.

And today, as we reflect on our rich history, it’s heartening to know that in July 2006, Money magazine ranked Westminster as the 24th best place to live in the US, a testament to the enduring spirit and warmth of our community.