City of Boulder history

Boulder's roots in education began in 1860, when the first schoolhouse in Colorado was erected at the southwest corner of Walnut and 15th Street.

By 1867, Boulder became the county seat. It was not until February of 1861 that a Federal Bill established the Territory of Colorado.

By November 1871, the town of Boulder was incorporated.

Old Main was built on the southern end of town, in an area known as "The Hill." The University of Colorado opened its doors in September of 1877, to one building, forty-four students, one professor and a President.

Although there were 19 saloons in 1883, a majority of the citizenry opposed such establishments, with many forming organizations to discourage liquor use.

A horse-drawn streetcar seemed like a good idea when it was introduced in 1891.

In 1898, one of Boulder's crowning jewels, Chautauqua, was created.

As the University grew to a population of 6,000 students in the early 1900's, the area around the campus known as "The Hill" began to expand.

The campus also built dormitories and saw the student body swell to 550 by 1902, with 105 faculty members.

By 1905, Boulder City Council members wanted to promote growth in the area by providing the “comfort of a first-class hotel.” The result was the Hotel Boulderado, named by combining the words “Boulder” and “Colorado” — so that no guest would forget where he had stayed.

Large streetcars of the Interurban Railroad transported passengers along Pearl Street from 12th Street (now Broadway) to 31st Street, beginning in 1908.

By 1917, the automobile era was firmly entrenched, and Pearl, between 11th and 17th streets, became the first street in Boulder to be paved.

The first, in 1966, was the “Committee for the Exploration of the Core Area Potential” (CECAP), later renamed “Boulder Tomorrow, Inc.”

In 1970, Governor John A. Love signed the “Public Mall Act,” officially paving the way for Boulder and other Colorado cities to close streets for the construction of pedestrian malls.

Dedication day for the Pearl Street Mall took place on August 6, 1977, changing the face of Pearl Street once again.