One hundred fifty years ago, George Jackson found gold near the confluence of Clear Creek and Chicago Creek, setting off the Colorado gold rush and the founding of Idaho Springs.
Wednesday, Jackson, in a ceremonial re-creation of sorts, got a windblown police escort through the heart of the Clear Creek County mountain town.
Jackson, portrayed by local Bill Lee, who also plays several other historical characters including St. Nicholas, set off from the town’s visitor center and walked an 18-year-old donkey, Nestor, loaded with mining tools, down busy Miner Street.
Jackson stopped at Carlson Elementary School, where kids got out of class to meet him.
“What did you do when you discovered the gold?” a teacher called out.
“I got excited. Yes, indeed!” Jackson said.
He went on to say he kept it a secret for a while before circling back “with some fellows and supplies.”
As the wind howled, students took a keen interest in Nestor. When the donkey relieved himself on the school grounds, the kids roared with approval.
Jackson also was accompanied by two dogs, portraying the historical Kit and Drum.
Kit, a black shaggy-haired mixed breed, kept wandering away from Jackson to greet passing strangers. Kit also visited briefly with other local dogs along the way.
As Jackson passed a bank, two of its staffers watched in the relentless wind. They were impressed.
“It’s what makes this whole town,” said Francie Kinney. “We want to keep it our old little mining town. It’s stuff like this that keeps us grounded.”
Kinney’s colleague and friend Christina Clark nodded in a agreement.
Shelley Kohagen, who owns a snowboard and apparel business on Miner Street, also caught the demonstration.
“I heard the police car,” said Kohagen, owner of Huckers Haven.
Kohagen said she welcomes the re-enactment and other planned 150th anniversary celebrations in hopes they’ll spur business.
“We had a wonderful holiday season,” Kohagen said. “This town was hopping.”
Eventually, Jackson made his way past the confluence of the two creeks where he made his discovery, and joined about 300 celebrants at Clear Creek Middle School.
Nestor, tied to a mining wagon, had to wait outside as the dogs went into the school’s gym with Jackson.
“I’m glad to be back from the grave,” Jackson said.
He told the gathering he was also glad he didn’t have to wade through hip-deep snow.
“I could have done without the wind this year.”
Jackson’s short speech was followed by several proclamations from politicians and mining boosters.
Local Omer Humble, who acted as master of ceremonies, talked about the importance of mining to Idaho Springs and to Colorado.
Humble said Colorado is the fourth-leading gold-producing state in the country and No. 1 in molybdenum.
Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien addressed the gathering, urging everyone to “remember our roots.”
“We need to remember individual people who did extraordinary things,” O’Brien said.
Cindy Olson, the town’s mayor, described Jackson’s nearby discovery as “the singular event from which the city has evolved.”
She urged people to “join in the commemoration of our unique history . . . and let the celebration begin.”
Idaho Springs will have a fireworks celebration Saturday at 7 p.m.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
