City of Thornton history

On September 21, 1953 work on the first 30 homes began.

In April 28, 1954 the Thornton Community Association (TCA) forms.

Thornton’s first shopping center opened on Washington Street in May 1955.

The city of Thornton was incorporated on May 26, 1956, with a population of 8,640.

Thornton’s first municipal building was constructed in 1958 on Dorothy Boulevard.

In 1960 the first library opens in Thornton.

In 1961, the city moved forward with issues including the running of day-to-day city operations by adopting a city Manager form of government, and securing a city water supply.

In 1962, the Thornton Junior Football League was formed.

In April 1963, Thornton purchases the Northwest Utilities.

In 1965, Thornton selected a city seal by holding a City Seal Contest that was open to all Thornton public school children.

In 1966, a home-rule committee was formed.

Also in 1970, Thornton’s 500,000-gallon tower at 102nd Avenue and Tejon Street was built.

In 1971, Thornton sues to condemn Farmers Reservoir and Irrigation Company (FRICO).

In 1974, the City Council adopted the city's first Parks & Recreation Open Space Plan, and in that same year Loomis Park was dedicated.

Growth prompted a move in 1975 to the remodeled North Valley Bank building at 8992 North Washington Street.

In 1976, the nation celebrated its Bicentennial while Colorado was enjoying its Centennial birthday and Thornton celebrated its owns 20th anniversary.

The “crossroads” logo was created and introduced to the city council by the Johnston Group in 1978 as part of a new economic development marketing package designed to better identify and promote the city.

In 1979, FRICO water agreement is reached with three cities (including Thornton). November 1979, Margaret Carpenter is elected as Mayor, and serves for more than 20 years.

May-June 1981, Thornton celebrates it's 25th anniversary.

In 1982, the city joins the Two Forks project.

In 1983, the city opened the Thornton Civic Center off I-25 and Thornton Parkway, a site formerly known as 9-Mile Hill, to house its municipal offices, courts, police and fire departments.

In August 1984, the Thornton Senior Center opened at the former Public Safety building on Dorothy Blvd.

In 1985, Thornton created an urban renewal district to raise $3.5 million to build an I-25 interchange at the Thornton Parkway (92nd Avenue), and to assist in a face lift in the city’s original business district mainly along Washington Street between 84th Avenue and 92nd Avenue.

In 1986, the City Council passed a resolution declaring certain undeveloped city land to be public open space.

In 1991, the Citizens Task Force is created to determine the community's recreational needs.

Thornton’s own 72 par, championship golf course, Thorncreek, officially opened on June 15, 1992 at 136th Avenue and Washington Street.

In October 1994, Thornton opened a state-of-the-art recreation facility.

In 1996 in celebration of the city’s 40th anniversary, a community festival called Thorntonfest was started.

In 1997, the city's volunteer program was started.

A new annual fall festival called Thornton Harvest Fest was started in 1999 at Community Park in Thornton.

In July 2001, the Thornton Recreation Center was renamed Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center.

December 2003, a additional free community festival called WinterFest was held.

September 2004, the city launches ambulance service.

April 2005, the North Washington Subarea Plan was adopted as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan.