Located in north-central Colorado, Littleton is a suburb of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area. Those moving to Littleton will discover a historic city with tree-lined streets and several distinctive historic buildings as well as refuge from Denver's busy, high-rise skylines. Situated just eight miles from downtown Denver, the city of Littleton has become the perfect place to call home to over 40,000 welcoming residents.
History:
The city of Littleton's start can be traced to the Pikes Peak gold rush of 1859. Along with the gold-seekers came many merchants and farmers to provide for the newly formed community. As Denver City began to grow, there was a need to construct a series of ditches to help carry water to farms and businesses that were without access to rivers and creeks. Among the engineers hired to lay out this system was Richard Sullivan Little. Little fell in love with the site of present-day Littleton. Upon filing a home stake and other land claims, Richard brought his wife Angeline to town in 1862 -- the dry climate all but curing her asthmatic condition -- and the two began to farm. The Littles joined with several neighbors to build the Rough and Ready Flour Mill in 1867, providing a solid economic base in the community for years to come. In 1872, the Littles filed a plat to subdivide much of their property into the village of Littleton. When the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reached the area in 1871, settlement began to increase quickly. By the time of Colorado's statehood in 1876, there were schools, churches, a hotel and stores constructed. In 1890, the town's 245 residents voted to incorporate the Town of Littleton. In 1902, a milestone in the history of Littleton came when the old Arapahoe County was divided into Arapahoe, Denver, Adams, Washington and Yuma Counties. Then-Governor Orman named Littleton the temporary county seat, placing it in a favorable position to defeat rival Englewood in the general election in 1904. Gaining the permanent county seat brought not only government employees and businesses, but also all of their support services. Littleton's place among Colorado's cities was solidified.
Economy:
Agriculture remained the main industry in Littleton until after World War II. Beginning with electronics and pneumatics, moving to munitions and finally to aerospace, manufacturing became a significant sector to the area. The city experienced boom in housing development during the 50s, 60s and 70s. Today, the town is working to implement the idea of economic gardening -- improving the economy from the inside with entrepreneurial activity instead of recruitment to bring in new jobs. Those looking for outside employment opportunities can take advantage of the city's advantageous location. Located just miles south of Denver, commuting is always an option. The financial and commercial capital of the Rocky Mountain region, Denver's downtown banking district, dubbed the "Wall Street of the Rockies," consists of major national and international institutions. The city is the transportation center for a large portion of the western U.S. To its advantage, the area's geographic position and location within the Mountain Time Zone make it the largest city in the U.S. to offer one-bounce satellite uplinks with real-time connections to six continents in one day. Littleton's location places it in an advantageous position for future economic development and growth. Analysts predict that the U.S. population is shifting south and west, with future concentration expected in the area from California to Utah and to the Gulf coast in Texas.
Tourism:
For family fun, head over to fun city, where you will find go-cart racing, arcade games, laser tag and much more. With over 144,000-square-feet of indoor entertainment, there is something for everyone at fun city. An impressive town museum, the Littleton Historical Museum, is situated on a spacious 14-acre space adjacent to Ketring Lake. This living history farm, operated by trained volunteers, recreates life on a 1860s farm and homestead. Costumed interpreters, Littleton's original log schoolhouse and a 1903 working blacksmith shop, help visitor step back into time. Next, visit one of the city's several art galleries and exhibits, offering thousands of local artifacts available to help you better understand the area's rich history and culture.