As the name suggests, Golden was a mining town established as part of the Gold Rush in southern Oregon. Mining activity became important in the 1850’s and the town was a local center for supplies and services. However, by the 1920’s the Post Office closed and the town soon lost most of its vitality.

When miners began arriving in the late 1850’s the site of the future community sloped gently to the bank of Coyote Creek, a tributary eventually feeding the Rogue River. Although miners found gold in the area, the working season for mining was short due to low summer flows of Coyote Creek. By 1860, a road had been constructed along Coyote Creek to transport lumber for flumes, sluice boxes and goods for miners. Nearly thirty cabins, a saloon, and store occupied the upper reaches of Coyote Creek.

During the 1860’s many of those first miners moved on following reports of better mining. Many of these original claims were sold to Chinese miners who continued to work them. By 1868 Chinese miners were selling their claims to a new wave of white miners. Records exist for most of these transactions showing that the claims were legally sold and not forced as in many areas where racism prevailed during the time.

Eventually, the Jacksonville-Roseburg stagecoach made a regular spur trip 3 miles up Coyote Creek to the busy community.

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