Population growth in the mountain areas around Boulder began to boom when new gold camps drew thousands of people into the area. Although Lyons never had gold mines, by the 1860s, many discouraged miners were leaving the mountains to settle into farming along creeks like the St. Vrain. The area near present-day Lyons had good flat bottom land, plenty of water, and a pleasant climate. In 1880, Mr. E.S. Lyon from Connecticut settled the area to improve his health. His 160 acres contained durable salmon-red sandstone, which was much in demand for building at the time. He returned east to sell shares and two years later, the new quarry town was platted, but not properly recorded at the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. Lyon and two partners, Hiram Sawyer and Griff Evans, formed two companies that year – the Evans Townsite Company and the Lyon Rock and Lime Quarry Company. Within three years of its founding, Lyons had a narrow gauge railroad, extended by the Denver, Utah and Pacific Railroad to haul out sandstone.   The scale of quarrying expanded that same year (1885), when Mr. Lyon’s interests were bought out by an English company, which then sold to Hugh Murphy of Omaha. The Union Pacific was persuaded to extend a standard gauge to Lyons and stone was then shipped to Omaha, as well as to Denver. Buildings have been identified throughout the Midwest made of the distinctive Lyons sandstone. During this period, about 1,000 tons per day were quarried in Lyons, most of it by hand or using simple machinery. Hand cutting, called “plug and feathering,” gave an nice “bulging” look to the finished rock which may still be seen in older buildings in Town. The main spur of the railroad extended into what is now Meadow Park; another spur went north up Second Avenue to the main quarries. Other quarries run by the University of Colorado were later developed on the southwest end of Town. A second townsite for quarrying, called Noland, was located on the saddle at the top of Stone Canyon. A railroad spur went up the canyon to Noland and Beach Hill, north of Lyons, to haul out sandstone and bring in water which was stored in huge cisterns, still visible at the site.   Lyons officially became a town in 1881, after Thomas G. Putnam bought and resurveyed the town in 1885. Although he was a surveyor, his failure to properly establish section corner monuments left a great deal of confusion over rights-of-way and property lines leaving problems that persist today. As cement began to replace stone as a building material in the early part of the century, employment opportunities in the Town were reduced. The population fell to half its boom size, but because Lyons had never experienced the huge growth of mining towns, like Gold Hill or Jamestown, its subsequent depopulation left the town largely unchanged.   And so it stayed until growth in Boulder County in the 1960s brought new residents, particularly commuters to employment opportunities in Longmont and Boulder. Today some quarrying continues, although the railroad spurs have been removed. Nonetheless, Lyons’ quarrying past remains a source of pride for residents and the impact of quarrying can be seen in most buildings and art in Town. It is also integrated into the Town’s infrastructure and signage. Lyons is still a quiet town between the mountains on the west and the rolling farmlands to the east.   The Lyons Historical Society was formed in 1973 to save the old town depot. This building was purchased through donations and restored as the Lyons Depot-Library. The old school building that was built in 1881 is restored and is now the “Lyons Redstone Museum.” In all there are fifteen designated Historic Landmark sites in Town that comprise the Lyons Historic District. The district was officially designated as a a Historical District by the Colorado Historical Society and the United States Department of the Interior on April 29, 1980.
Lyons Cemetery Burial List 1888 - 2003 The Lyons Cemetery is located on the north side of town at the end of 3rd Avenue. Click here to view the Lyons Cemetery Burial List.   Visit Lyons' Redstone Museum at 4th and High Street 303.823.5271

Griff Evans Homestead (1870)

Now the site of Rocky Grass and Folks Festivals

480 Seward St. (1890)

Chisholm/Truebood Home

413 Seward St. (1890)

Cunningham/Weese Home

409 Seward St. (1890)

Montgomery Home

426 High St. (1884)

Lyons General Store. Now Ralston Bros. Antiques

NW Corner 4th and High Streets (1894)

Old Stone Church

NE Corner 4th & High Streets (1881)

Lyons School. Now Redstone Museum

427 High St. (1890s)

Dynamite storage building

450 Main St. (1881)

McAllister Saloon/Frank Market. Now Cilantro Mary Mexican Kitchen.

415 Main St. (1890)

General Store/Kandy Kitchen. Now South Creek Ltd.

401 Main St.(1917)

Turner Stevens Building. Now Art Bank.

5th & Broadway (1881)

Train Depot. Horse Water Tank (1897)

S. St. Vrain (1870)

Bradford Homestead. Now Olson Property

1/2 Mi. E. on Hwy. 66 (1885)

Sites Milkhouse. Now C. Shepard Gallery.

3 Mi. E on Hwy. 66 (1917)

Montgomery School. Now M. Weston home.

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