The Origins of Littleton

To trace the origins of Littleton, Colorado, we need to go back to the so-called “Pikes Peak” gold rush that took place around 1859. Back then, the nearby city of Denver was starting to expand, which meant that more and more of its residents needed readily available water to sustain their houses, farms, and businesses.

Enter Richard Sullivan Little, a New Hampshire-born engineer who, during a survey of the Denver area, literally fell in love with what we now know as Littleton. In 1862, Richard and his wife Angeline moved officially to the area and began a life as farmers.

The Littles also started acquiring various plots of land nearby and, when Colorado officially became a state in 1876, the entire region boasted several churches, stores, schools, and a hotel. The Town of Littleton was officially incorporated in 1890, following a vote of its 245 residents.

The main activity in Littleton was agriculture, and so it remained for a long time – at least, after the end of World War II. Then, the manufacturing industry started to arrive in the area, and a boom in housing followed that lasted throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.

In 1965, Arapahoe Community College was established and Chatfield Reservoir opened seven years later – both adding even more appeal to a town that was on a steady course toward population growth and economic prosperity.

In 2001, Littleton authorities inaugurated the Aspen Grove shopping center at Mineral and Santa Fe, which hosted one of the first Apple stores in the entire Denver metropolitan area. In 2013, the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater opened, and the famous Tattered Cover bookstore established a new branch right at Aspen Grove.

In 1990, Littleton residents celebrated the town’s centennial. By then, the population had risen to over 33,600. Twenty years later, there were over 48,000 people living in Littleton, some of them attracted to the area thanks to one of its brand-new housing developments, Littleton Village, which includes housing units, stores, and a park.

Things To Do in Littleton

There are plenty of reasons why, over the decades, the town of Littleton has continued to enjoy great popularity among both Colorado residents and out-of-state visitors. In Littleton there is literally something for everyone – from lovers of the great outdoors to artsy types, from families with young children to retired couples looking to spend their golden years in a safe, beautiful, and welcoming environment.

At the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains, Littleton is truly a huge playground for sports and outdoor lovers. Aside from a multitude of hiking trails that can keep you busy (and fit) over the warmer months, Littleton is home to plenty of parks, such as Robert Clement Park and Hudson Gardens.

The former, which locals affectionately call simply “Clement Park”, features lots of playgrounds to keep the little ones entertained, as well as several sports courts (including soccer, softball, and volleyball), a splash park, and a skate park.

The amphitheater in Clement Park is a great place to stop by on a warm summer night, when a series of open-air concerts and other live events take place.

Hudson Gardens, on the other hand, hosts a range of stunning gardens – including a vegetable, a rose, and a water garden – as well as a beekeeping area and a fun outdoor model train that is always a sure bet with younger visitors. During the summer months, the Gardens are home to many events, both during the day and the evening.

Are you a runner, dog owner, or cyclist? Try out one of Littleton’s many outdoor trails, most of which feature rest and picnic areas where you can take a short break and grab a bite to eat.

Speaking of places to eat, there is no shortage of great ones in Littleton. With plenty of quaint, charming cafes and restaurants dishing up delicious, homemade, and local food, from pizza (McKinners is a favorite among residents) to the Angelo’s Littleton location, from sushi to Middle-Eastern, American, and many more, Littleton really has something for everyone’s tastebuds.

Littleton residents who enjoy a glass of wine or a pint of beer are also spoiled for choice, thanks to the town’s several craft breweries and wineries. In fact, Littleton is also home to a renowned distillery, Rocker Spirits.

Shopping aficionados will love to wander the historic center of Littleton, where they can find anything from handmade gifts to antiques, from vintage or modern clothes to high-tech gadgets and computers.

And if, after all this time spent outdoors, eating, drinking, and shopping, you feel the desire for something more “cultural”, then rest assured that Littleton will not disappoint. The town’s museum – simply called The Littleton Museum – lets visitors explore its history and heritage through, fun, engaging, and interactive events and exhibitions.

For book lovers, nothing is better than the Bemis Public Library. Inside the building, apart from a huge collection of books available to borrow, you will also find a social hub, senior center, immigrant resource center, and more.

Lastly, you should not miss a visit to the Town Hall Arts Center. This beautiful building dates back to the Roaring Twenties and hosts events that span theater plays, musicals, music performances, and more. And, as if all this wasn’t enough, the Center is also home to a small but perfectly formed fine arts gallery, which is a lovely place to stop by either at the beginning or the end of your visit.

Littleton As a Place to Live Today

As a leafy, lovely suburb of Denver, and with a population of just over 46,000, Littleton, Colorado is regarded as one of the best places to live in the Centennial State. The urban-suburban mixed vibe that Littleton offers, together with its dynamic and thriving cuisine, art, and outdoor life makes Littleton a desirable place to live both for young professionals and families.

With highly rated schools, an exciting luxury real estate market, and low crime rates, Littleton could truly be the place you call home. If you want the right type of assistance when searching for your new Littleton property, make sure that you work closely with an established, trusted, and local realtor.

Doing so will increase your chances of finding your dream home in Littleton, whether you are looking for a condo, a single-family home, a historic property, or something else entirely.

Get in touch with ENGEL & VÖLKERS - Downing Street Group today, so we can set you on the right path to finding your dream home in Denver, Colorado.