Auraria History

In The town of Auraria is where Denver’s history first started. Located between the Platte River and Cherry Creek, this area was originally a campground for the Arapahoe and Cheyenne tribes. In 1858 gold was discovered and a settlement quickly grew to become “Auraria City,” the Latin word for “gold.” On the other side of Cherry Creek “Denver City” was founded. In 1860 Auraria incorporated with Denver and became a distinct community with a rich mixture of ethnic groups including a growing Hispanic community after World War II. Today, the Tivoli Brewery, Emmanuel Temple, St. Elizabeth, and St. Cajetan churches remain as historic landmarks.