Littleton, Colorado: Historic Main Street and Attractions
Author: Victor Block
Published: 12 Nov 2024 - Updated: 8 Nov 2026
Publication Type: Informative
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This information is a first-hand travel review by journalist Victor Block of Littleton, Colorado, a suburb about 20 minutes from Denver by light rail whose historic Main Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It covers the town's roots in the 1859 Pikes Peak gold rush, a walking tour of Victorian depots, the Columbine Mill and Louthan House, independent shops, and the Littleton Museum with its living history farms of the 1860s and 1890s. It also notes Project Downtown, a long-term plan to widen sidewalks, improve crossings, add benches and better connect transport options. The guide is useful for visitors planning a day trip from Denver, including seniors and travelers with disabilities who want an easy car-free outing with level walking and frequent places to rest.*
At a Glance
- 1 - Lola's Sugar Rush stocks more than 700 kinds of candy.
- 2 - A 40-foot folk-art mural at the station shows more than 50 historic buildings.
- 3 - About three dozen sculptures are placed along sidewalks, buildings and parks downtown.
- 4 - Costumed interpreters at the museum farms demonstrate quilting, plowing and cooking over a fire.
Topic Definition
- National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of buildings, districts, sites and structures in the United States considered worthy of preservation for their historical, architectural or cultural importance. Run by the National Park Service, listing recognizes a property's significance and can open access to grants and tax incentives for preservation, but it does not by itself stop owners from making changes to the property.
Overview
Stepping off the train after a short ride from a modern metropolis, I was immediately introduced to a world that no longer exists. More than 50 houses, business establishments, churches and other buildings provide an introduction to small town America during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
A tiny, rustic log home built in 1861 by a farmer is dwarfed by a larger dairy spread that was operated decades later by five sisters. A general store where Native Americans came to trade in the late 1800s stands near a little depot where trains of the fabled Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway once deposited passengers and freight. Colorfully named establishments from the past include the Rough and Ready Flour Mill and the First and Last Chance Saloon.
This is the setting that greets passengers disembarking from light rail trains that connect Denver with aptly named Littleton, Colorado, 20 minutes away in time but more than a century removed in atmosphere. The setting is akin to entering a Norman Rockwell painting of life as it used to be and in ways still is in this time capsule of history. Another bonus is an ongoing program to make the town as mobility friendly as possible.
The first view of Littleton that people arriving by train encounter is displayed on a 40-foot-wide mural on a wall of the railroad station platform. Painted by a local artist in folk-art style, the colorful composition depicts more than 50 historic structures, some long gone and others still standing.
The seeds of the settlement portrayed in the painting were planted in 1859, when the Pikes Peak gold rush attracted miners to the community, along with merchants and farmers who came to supply and feed them. Two years later an engineer from New Hampshire named Richard Little arrived, then brought his wife from the East. He later laid out the plan for the town that bears his name.
Since that modest birth, Littleton has expanded into a suburban community of about 45,000 residents. For visitors, the action and interest are centered around a several block stretch of Main Street that richly deserves its recognition on the National Register of Historic Places.
A tour of local landmarks is a good way to take in a number of historic buildings and get a feel for the setting. The journey begins at the light rail depot, a Victorian-style stone building constructed in 1875. Another train station, which was active from 1888 until 1967, and an 1898 vintage caboose parked next door, serve as an art gallery.
The tower of the Columbine Mill, built in 1901 as a grain elevator and storage facility for the Rough and Ready Flour Mill, looks out over the town from its lofty height. The charming Louthan House (circa 1905-1909), named for its builder, is home to the Café Terracotta, one of a number of outstanding local restaurants that make Littleton a mini-magnet for foodies.
Shopping also has a local focus, with an array of small stores that can meet many a fancy. Two personal favorites were indicative of the eclectic choice.
Reinke Bros. is a Halloween superstore with a focus on ghosts, goblins and ghouls. Strolling through the twisted tangle of aisles brings shoppers face-to-face with skulls, skeletons and other merchandise that ranges from fun to frightening. The ultimate gross out is at supermarket-type counters stocked with replicas of items including "lady fingers," "cheating heart" and other aptly named body parts.
A much sweeter experience awaits at Lola's Sugar Rush, where glass jars display more than 700 kinds of candy in every imaginable color, shape and flavor. Treats popular in the last century provide a touch of sugary nostalgia for anyone whose sweet tooth can recall that time. Both adults and children crowd into the little corner shop for free tastings of candy that resembles cola bottles, alligators, penguins and countless other shapes.
Then there's a virtual outdoor art museum. Some three dozen sculptures, plus friezes, paintings and other works adorn sidewalks, buildings and parks.
One sculpture, titled "Life's Lessons," depicts a boy engrossed in a large book. "Year of Shows" resembles a family at leisure. Sculpted metal wagon wheels placed on Main Street do double duty as bicycle racks.
Interesting chapters of the past are explored at the Littleton Museum. That institution has permanent exhibits which trace the area's history from the time when Arapaho, Cheyenne and Ute Native Americans passed through to the Pioneer era to more recent days.
The favorite attractions for many visitors are the two living history settings that re-create farm life in the 1860s and 1890s. The older spread represents a pioneer homestead during the area's settlement period. Wandering from a modest, and modestly furnished, cabin to a reconstructed log barn, sitting at a desk in a one-room schoolhouse and chatting with a blacksmith as he toils at his trade increased my appreciation for modern-day amenities that are often taken for granted.
Adding to the realistic setting are costumed interpreters who demonstrate quilting, plowing, cooking over a fire and other chores. A virtual zoos-who of farm animals, including oxen, mules, sheep, chickens and honeybees enhance the realistic setting. Also adding authenticity are livestock, crops and plants that were common during the time period represented.
Littleton's Project Downtown is a years-long undertaking that will enhance pedestrian safety, upgrade streetscape lighting, widen sidewalks and improve what's called "multimodal connectivity," while maintaining the pervading small-town charm. It will provide a variety of options for people to get around, upgrade pedestrian comfort and street crossing safety, add benches for rest stops and support addition of outdoor patios to restaurants for easy access.
If checking out Littleton's connection with Native American lore doesn't excite you, perhaps indulging your sugar craving at Lola's offers a more inviting appeal. Should strolling through a town with its feet planted firmly in the past sound less than scintillating, maybe reliving farm life from a bygone era will grab your attention. Whatever your interests, you're likely to find enough to fulfill them only a short train ride from downtown Denver.
More on this topic: America Travel Publications - Disability Travel Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)
How do you get from Denver to Littleton by public transit?
The RTD light rail connects downtown Denver with Littleton, with stops at Littleton-Downtown and Littleton-Mineral. The ride takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on the starting station.
Is RTD light rail accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes, RTD light rail stations and trains are designed to be accessible, with level boarding areas or ramps, and RTD offers reduced fares for riders with disabilities and seniors.
Is the Littleton Museum free to visit?
The Littleton Museum has generally offered free admission. Visitors should check the city website for current hours and any special event fees before going.
When is the best time of year to visit Littleton?
Late spring through early fall is popular for outdoor farm activities and walking downtown, while December brings holiday events. Winter visits can involve snow and icy sidewalks.
What is a living history museum?
A living history museum recreates life in a past period using restored buildings, period tools and costumed staff who demonstrate daily tasks. Visitors can watch or sometimes join in.
Are there accessible parks near Littleton?
The area has several parks and trails with paved paths, including routes along the South Platte River. Checking trail surfaces and slopes in advance helps plan a comfortable visit.
What was the Pikes Peak gold rush?
The Pikes Peak gold rush began in 1858 and 1859, when news of gold in the Rocky Mountains drew tens of thousands of prospectors to what is now Colorado. It led to many new towns, including Denver and Littleton.
How can travelers with disabilities check access before visiting historic buildings?
Calling ahead is the most reliable way to ask about steps, door widths, restrooms and parking. Many attractions also list access details on their websites or can arrange help on arrival.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Littleton shows how a small historic downtown can stay attractive to visitors while being rebuilt for people who walk, roll or use transit. Reaching it by light rail avoids parking and gives direct access to Main Street, and wider sidewalks and better crossings planned under Project Downtown should make the walk easier still. Older buildings can still have steps, narrow aisles or uneven floors, so travelers using wheelchairs or scooters may want to call shops and restaurants ahead, and to check with the Littleton Museum about access to the farm buildings and paths. For a short trip from Denver, the town offers history, food and shopping in a compact area that is easy to plan around.*
Author Credentials: Victor Block has been a travel journalist for many years, and has written for major newspapers, magazines and travel websites and served as an editor of Fodor's Travel Guides. He is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the North American Travel Journalists Association. Victor is a regular contributor of reviews to the Disabled World travel section. Visit Victors's biography for further insights into his background and expertise.
* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.