Edward L. Berthoud facts for kids
Captain Edward Louis Berthoud was an important person in the western United States in the late 1800s. He was a military officer, a leader, and an engineer. He is best known for his work with the Colorado Central Railroad. He helped it grow across Colorado in the 1870s. The town of Berthoud, Colorado and Berthoud Pass in the Rocky Mountains are named after him.
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Who Was Edward L. Berthoud?
Edward Louis Berthoud was born in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 29, 1828. His original name was Edouard Louis Berthoud. When he was two years old, his family moved to the United States in 1830. They settled in Upstate New York near the Mohawk River. In America, his family changed the way they said their last name to "ber-thud".
Edward went to Union College and graduated in 1849 with an engineering degree. In the early 1850s, he worked as a surveyor for the Panama Canal. This was a huge project to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Moving West and Discovering Gold
By 1855, Berthoud was living in Leavenworth, Kansas. He became very interested in building the First transcontinental railroad. This was a dream to connect the east and west coasts by train.
In 1860, during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush, Berthoud and his wife Helen moved west. They settled in the new town of Golden, Colorado. Helen's family, the Ferrells, were among the first people to live in Golden. A street in the town was even named after her. In 1861, Golden became part of the Colorado Territory.
Exploring and Serving His Country
Berthoud spent much of his career surveying roads and railways in the region. He also became an active citizen in Golden.
In 1861, he worked to find a more direct route from Denver to Salt Lake City. He surveyed the first road to Middle Park. During this work, he discovered and surveyed the mountain pass that is now called Berthoud Pass. He also named Vasquez Peak.
In 1862, when the American Civil War began, he joined the Union Army. He became an officer in the 2nd Colorado Volunteer Infantry. That same year, he was praised for designing strong defenses. These defenses helped save Jefferson City, Missouri, from an attack.
Life in Golden and Public Service
Berthoud returned to Golden in 1866. He then ran for the Colorado Legislature. He also served as the librarian for the Colorado Territorial Library from 1867 to 1868.
As a member of the legislature, he helped create the Colorado School of Mines. This college teaches students about mining and engineering. Berthoud was the college's first registrar and served on its Board of Trustees.
He surveyed the routes for the Colorado Central Railroad. This was the first railroad to go into the Colorado mountains. He also owned the Overland Hotel in downtown Golden for many years. Berthoud later served as the Colorado State Historian. He was also the Mayor of Golden from 1890 to 1891.
Edward L. Berthoud passed away in Golden in 1910. The Colorado School of Mines honored him by naming Berthoud Hall after him in 1940.
