GOLDEN, N.M.
Golden
was the site of the first gold rush west of the Mississippi,
1825, (before California and Colorado gold rushes).
Placer gold was first discovered on Tuerto Creek on the southwest side of the Ortiz Mountains and in the late 1820’s two small mining camps developed as a result of the mineral finds -- El Real de San Francisco and Placer del Tuerto. The area remained quiet for decades until several large companies began to put money into the mines, bringing in numerous workers, and followed by many individual prospectors.
It was shortly after these mining camps were formed that the San Francisco Catholic Church was built around 1830.
Just south of Tuerto, a new town called Golden was being formed, which soon absorbed both El Real de San Francisco and Placer del Tuerto. Officially formed in 1879, Golden was selected as the center of the new gold-mining district and soon grew to support several saloons, businesses, a school, and even a stock exchange. In 1880, the post office was opened.
However, the expectations of Golden's miners were soon deflated as by 1884, the gold was already beginning to dwindle and people began to leave the area. However, mining continued on a small scale until about 1892 and ranching continued to be a mainstay of the economy. In 1918 the Golden General Merchandise Store opened, which is the only business in town that continues to operate today.
Golden is located along the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway, Golden is about ten miles north of the Sandia Park junction on NM 14.
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