History of City

History of Brighton timeline offered by Pat Reither and The Brighton Historic Preservation Commission

 
 
 
 
 
 
1860Brantner Ditch water rights were filed. It was the first irrigation ditch in the area.
1862Hughes Stagecoach Station established.
1871Boulder Valley Railroad completed to Brighton.
Hughes Station came into existence and the community came to be known as Hughes Station.
1881The City of Brighton is born and named after the birthplace of the founder Daniel Carmichael's wife.
1885First school completed. Built by A.L. Church for $1,257 and located on 1st Street.
1887Court recognized City of Brighton.
1902Adams County formed from a part of Arapahoe County with Brighton as temporary county seat. Carmichael residence used as first Courthouse. The basement of the house was used for a jail. The house was located on 34 S. 5th.
1904First annual Fair was held where current City Hall building sits today.
Election for county seat was determined by Brighton winning with 1,103 votes.
1913Scarlet Fever scare caused all public meetings to be postponed.
1920Coldest winter and heaviest snow in seven years. 500 head of cattle died and electricity and water was off for three days.
1944Bob Sakata starts farm in Brighton.
1960Brighton Hospital established with 31 beds.
1974Brighton institutes minority hiring program.
1977Adams County Administration Building (current home to City Hall) completed. Brighton city government moves into Adams County Courthouse building which is now Historic City Hall.
2006Brighton City Hall/Adams County Courthouse 100 years old.
2009The former State Armory building in Brighton, built in 1921, transformed into the Armory at Brighton Cultural Center.
2011Brighton moves into former Adams County Administration Building.
Brighton named "100 Best Communities for Young People" by America's Promise Alliance and ING.
2012Senior Center moves to the new Eagle View Adult Recreation Center near Platte Valley Medical Center.
Brighton celebrates its 125th anniversary.