Page 34 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

miners, providing goods, but also having gambling and saloons. But it was important that Denver grew faster than any other rivals. In May 1859, Denver gave 53 lots to the owners of the region’s first overland wagon route. This would make it a transport center. As a result, there was soon a daily service for “passengers, mail, freight, and gold”. In 1863, Western Union Telegraph Company chose the city for its regional terminus. All of this helped to stabilize the city, and turn it into a growing center.
The Colorado Territory was created out of Kansas in 1861, and Denver City was incorporated in the same year. Its good communications’ links meant it was chosen as the Territorial Capital. Denver City then shortened its name to Denver. On August 1, 1876, Colorado was admitted to the Union, and Denver became its capital.
However, there was to be a problem. The first transcontinental railroad was routed through Cheyenne, 100 miles away. If it were to succeed, Denver needed a railroad. So the people of Denver began to raise funds for a connecting line. On
Denver overland stage, 1865.
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