Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado Genealogy

United States Colorado  Boulder County  Lafayette

Lafayette and Mary Miller moved to Colorado in 1863, operating a stage station on the Overland Trail between Denver and Cheyenne at first. They then bought farmland that became this community. Lafayette died in 1878 and Mary and their six children operated the farm. Coal was discovered in 1884; the first shaft was sunk in 1887. In 1888 Mary platted 150 acres of their land to make a town named after her husband. In July of 1888 the first houses were built for the new town, and a second coal mine was in operation. The new post office opened in February of 1889 when there were 400 residents of Lafayette.

Coal mining built the town, and also resulted in strife. There were significant strikes for safer working conditions and better pay – the longest of these took place from 1910 to 1914. The Lafayette miners were on strike in 1927 when the massacre took place at the Columbine mine in Serene, Colorado.

Early Churches
 First United Methodist of Lafayette First United Methodist services have been held without interruption since 1894. 1255 Centaur Village Dr Lafayette, CO 80026 (303) 665-5165

First Baptist Church Began in April 1907 200 E. Cleveland St Lafayette, CO 80026 (303) 665-5496

The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Early Lafayette Catholics had to walk four miles to Louisville to attend mass. St. Ida’s was formed in 1907, and was replaced in 1954 by The Immaculate Conception. 715 Cabrini Dr Lafayette, CO 80026 (303) 665-5103

Cemeteries
Lafayette Cemetery established in 1891 111 W. Baseline Road Lafayette, CO 303 665-5588 ext 3340

Coal Creek Cemetery 1751 Hwy. 42 (Empire Rd.) Louisville, CO 303 665-5588 ext 3340

Public Library
Lafayette Public Library 775 W Baseline Rd Lafayette, CO 80026 Phone: (303) 665-5200 http://www.cityoflafayette.com/index.aspx?nid=96

Record Loss
The Lafayette business district, the post office, coal stacks, and some residences burned on January 24, 1900.