Aurora CO started its real estate boom in the late 1800s. In 1891, a Denver businessman named Donald Fletcher purchased four square miles of land east of Denver. He was so sure the investment would pay off, he name the town, Fletcher.
In 1893, the Sherman Silver Purchase Act was repealed. The silver industry in Colorado began to decline and silver miners went on strike and the mines and smelters shut down. The community of Fletcher struggled to maintain its life. However, in 1907, Donald Fletcher skipped town leaving behind a huge water debt incurred by him. The inhabitants of Fletcher renamed their town Aurora in 1907 after Fletcher left town.
Aurora was the typical American small town. Grassy prairies to the east and the majestic Rocky Mountains to the west made it an idyllic town for its residents.
In 1918, Army Hospital 21 was built. In July 1920, the facility was renamed Fitzsimons Army Hospital in memory of the first casualty of WW I, Lt. William T. Fitzsimons. Fitzsimons has had its share of famous history; President Eisenhower, whose wife, Mamie was from Denver, recuperated from a heart attack at Fitzsimons. Senator John Kerry was born here while his father was receiving treatment for tuberculosis.
By 1929, Aurora had grown to 2000 people and the Colorado Secretary of State recognized Aurora as a city.
After World War II, Aurora boomed as a bedroom community. Stapleton Airport, Buckley Field and Lowry Air Force Base made Aurora an easy commute to these locations.
Aurora has done a wonderful job of preserving building and artifacts from its past history. The Aurora History Museum is a must. Two of these structures are:
Centennial House located at 1671 Galena St. was built in 1890 by Donald Fletcher.
DeLaney Farm Round Barn located at 170 S. Chamber Road was built in 1901. John deLaney became the toll collector at the gate where the old wagon road running west to Denver crossed the creek.
For more information about Aurora CO homes for sale or Aurora Colorado real estate, contact Marilyn Van Steenberg, Owner/Broker, 303-738-1287 or email buyersbestchoice@comcast.net
