Long Description:Back in the mid-1800s when Colorado was making the big leap from
being a territory into lofty state status, Golden was designated as
the state's first capitol. The original capitol building,
constructed in 1861, now houses this restaurant. The dining gem
contains enough historical heirlooms and information to almost
qualify it for museum status. The menu has a definite southwestern
lean and can be described as "one that has something for
everybody." Ribs, steaks and sandwiches are the popular choices.
From Tour of Historic Downtown Golden:
(visit link)
William Austin Hamilton Loveland teamed up with Colorado's first
Masonic Lodge to build Golden's first brick storefront, with ornate
fanlight arched doors and windows, in 1863. After adding two
additions, this building housed the Colorado Territorial
Legislature in 1866-67 when Golden served as the capital of
Colorado. Loveland's Mercantile, in business since 1859, continued
to serve on the first floor of this building to an age of 119
years, one of the longest business tenures in Colorado history.
While the Territorial government met here Edward Louis Berthoud,
Loveland's close business associate, ran the Territorial Library in
what is now the rear room of the first floor. After the addition
and removal of a third floor in 1868 and 1923 and the total
renovation of its Avenue storefront in 1905 and 1923, as well as 57
years of Mercantile ownership by the prominent German family of
Golden Mayor Nicholas Koenig, this building was honored by the
National Historic Register. Inside one may see the original
blueprints to the Coors Building and the Koenigs' two-ton Debold
safe installed in 1905, and dine in the old Territorial Library
room.
Adolph Coors, prohibited by law from bottling at his brewery,
leveled most of the historic 1873 Anselm Dold bakery to make way
for his new bottling plant. Charles Sitterle, who with brother
Jules long ran the famed Cracker Works in Central City and Golden,
ran the storefront of this building as a saloon once contractor
Perre O. Unger completed it. Designed by brothers Albert, Harold,
Viggio and William Baerresen of Denver, the Coors Building long
served as the City Market of Coors' fellow German immigrant John
Treffeisen. In 1992 it was linked with the neighboring Loveland
Block and today serves as part of the Old Capitol Grill.