William A. H. Loveland

He offered the use of his building, which also was a public hall that was central to the town's activities, to the House of Representatives while another in the same block served the Council (Senate).

When most of Golden's leading citizens left to fight in the American Civil War, Loveland kept the languishing town alive.

It was expanded in 1866 to accommodate both houses the Colorado Territorial Legislature on its upper floor, which met there until the capital was moved to Denver in 1867.

After the completion of the line, the new city of Loveland, Colorado was founded in Larimer County along the route and named in his honor.

He regularly lent his hall for public events, community organizations and governmental entities, including the municipal, county and Territorial governments.

Considered the first mutual aid call in Colorado history, the Golden firemen, arriving by the railroad, succeeded in saving the upper part of the city.

In 1889, in partnership with Charles Welch, Loveland platted a new 13-block country town along Colfax Avenue west of Denver.

It was laid out along the new mass transit line Loveland helped spearhead in 1890, the Denver, Lakewood & Golden Railway.

His earliest Colorado residence, the Loveland Cottage in Golden, which he purchased from a town attorney, still stands at 717 12th Street.