Denver HistoryFrom its beginnings as a gold mining town during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush in 1858 to its evolution into one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the country today, Denver is steeped in history. Delve into the past at Denver’s many museums, galleries, tours and attractions and meet the movers and shakers who shaped the city: cowboys and cattle ranchers, jazz legends and Beat poets, railroad barons and craft brewers, artists and activists.