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(((Buyers Agent, for listing information click here.))) |
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Thornton, Colorado began as a model community when it was announced on February 19, 1953 that the new community was to be called Thornton in honor of the governor Dan Thornton. On January 31, 1954, the first 40 families moved into brand new, one-story brick houses constructed from the vision of builder Sam Hoffman. Thornton’s first shopping center opened on Washington Street in May 1955. It contained stores such as Woolworth and Miller's grocery store. Originally called Hoffman Heights Shopping Center, the name soon changed to the Thornton Shopping Center. Thornton’s first fire department and police department both began as volunteer groups where the men served without pay. On Aug. 18, 1955, voters decided against incorporation with the total tally at 548 for incorporation, 620 votes against it. The population of Thornton was 6,300, but only 1,168 people cast a vote in the election. On May 26, 1956, Thornton was incorporated as a Colorado city with a population of 8,640 and a radius of one square mile. The Colorado legislature passed the bill into law and Thornton legally became the 11th largest city in Colorado.Thornton’s first municipal building was constructed in 1958 on Dorothy Boulevard.In 1961, the City adopted a City Manager form of government. In 1963, the City held the first Thornton Annual Festival Days celebration that included a 20-mile bike race, square dancing, horse show, carnival and a parade. The event was held on July 4 to celebrate Independence Day, and an estimated 8,000 people attended. In 1964, the City annexed approximately 920 acres on both sides of the Valley Highway including the Heftler Hillcrest area and land between 88th and 92nd Avenues. In 1965, Thornton selected a city seal by holding a City Seal Contest that was open to all Thornton public school children. The winner was a 17-year-old Mapleton High School student. That May, the winning seal with the motto "City of Planned Progress" was adopted. On July 18, 1967, Thornton citizens overwhelmingly approved Home Rule for the City. A Home Rule city has its charter (constitution) written by local citizens and the voters must approve it. Home Rule gives local government more control over running the city. By Thornton's population was nearing 80,000 and it covered a radius of 27.2 square miles. City leaders look toward having a new I-25 interchange constructed at 136th Avenue linking the communities of Thornton and Westminster. The interchange is scheduled to be open in 2004. A new business park to be called Centricom Colorado is planned to be developed near the site of the future E-470 highway at Quebec Street. This new development would bring in high technology companies, increase the City’s tax base and bring additional jobs to the area. |
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