While pioneers came for gold, they soon discovered the rich land and chose farming over the difficult trek across the mountains. Soon some realized that selling crops to miners could be very profitable. The area near Ralston’s original gold strike had fertile soil and could be easily irrigated. Between Ralston and Clear Creeks a small farming community began to grow and became known as Ralston Point. The first settlers to the area claimed land adjacent to the streams. Crops that flourished were celery, corn, wheat, plums, strawberries, cherries, berries, melons, and vegetables. Arvada was once known as the Celery Capital of the World! Arvada was founded in 1879 when Benjamin Wadsworth and Louis Reno platted the community shortly after the railroad was built through the town. On August 24, 1904 the city of Arvada was officially incorporated.
