history of castle rock

Castle Rock, incorporated in 1881, is situated between the high plains and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Shielded from the worst winter storms of the mountains and mostly outside the reach of the extreme heat and scanty moisture of the plains, the area surrounding Castle Rock offered an excellent location for Indians and the wild game they sought for food.

The Indians of this region, predominantly Arapahoe and Cheyenne, were nomadic. They occupied the land between the Arkansas and the Platte Rivers. Here they found easy access to pine forests for lodge poles, plus herds of buffalo, antelope and deer, which provided them with most of their needs for subsistence. One of the original homesteaders, Jeremiah Gould, owned 160 acres to the south of "The Rock." At that time, the community consisted of just a few shacks for prospectors, quarry workers and other hired hands. In 1874, after Castle Rock officially became designated the seat of Douglas County, Gould donated 120 acres to "be known as Castle Rock." It was then that the six streets named Elbert, Jerry, Wilcox, Perry, Castle and Front were laid out. The Courthouse Square was designated and 77 lots, each 50 by 112 feet, were auctioned for a total of $3,400!

Relations between the Indian tribes of the region and the ever-growing number of white settlers vacillated between open hostility and wary toleration. White settlers were drawn by rumors of gold and by land opened through the Homestead Act of 1864.

The discovery of rhyolite stone (used for building exteriors) in the butte countryside surrounding Plum Creek is what actually put Castle Rock on the map. Silas W. Madge developed the quarry and resulting lava stone industry in 1872.

Within a year, the new train depot brought the Denver & Rio Grande Railway to the community. Soon, it was unloading supplies for ranchers and shipping rhyolite from the three local quarries and cheese from the dairy farms in the surrounding area. The depot now houses the Castle Rock Historical Museum on Elbert Street, where visitors can relive the 125 years since the town's inception.

Castle Rock has continued to prosper and grow. It currently encompasses 33 square miles, with a population of more than 30,000 in town and 65,000 in the surrounding area. A number of historical landmarks still stand, giving roots to Castle Rock's long and varied history. Castle Rock welcomes newcomers and visitors alike and hopes that you will enjoy our friendly community, its beautiful views and some of our wonderful Western culture.

More on Castle Rock

Castle Rock Main

Quality of Life

Arts & Culture

Demographics

Climate

Economic Guide

Featured Builders

Schools

More Links

City & County Links

Local Links